Sun Valley (Trail Creek)

The Sun Valley resort dates back to the mid-1930s, when W. Averell Harriman, chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad, decided to develop a destination winter sport mountain resort, similar to those found in the Swiss Alps.

Bald Mountain was chosen as an ideal location because of its favourable climate and so the X-shaped Sun Valley Lodge opened in December of 1936 with chairlifts, heated outdoor swimming pool and 9-hole course (designed by architect Billy Bell) following soon after.

Robert Trent Jones Jnr designed the Trail Creek course in 1980 and his former associate Don Knott added the 9-hole White Clouds layout on more elevated sections of the property in 2008, creating a wonderful 27-hole golf complex.

The fast flowing waters of the creek come into play at no fewer than seven holes on the front nine of the Trail Creek layout. The creek actually crosses the left doglegged 3rd hole twice, threatening both the tee shot and the approach to the green.

Both par threes on the inward half are formidable short holes with heavily protected greens: the putting surface at the signature 10th sits behind an intimidating lake and the severe back-to-front sloping green at the 17th is fronted by a couple of enormous bunkers.