Sun Valley GR
Sun Valley, UT (north of Twin Falls)
Golf Magazine Review: Pure 5-star scenery at 2 courses amid the pine forests, wrapped around Trail Creek near Bald & Dollar Mountains. A memorable trio of par-3's stand out (#s 5, 15, & 17), with ups and downs and water carries.
Where To Grub: Golf Magazine likes Gretchen's in the Sun Valley Lodge, the Ram Retaurant in Sun Valley Village, or for Sunday Brunch hit the chic Lodge Dining Room in the Sun Valley Lodge.
Where To Stay: Sun Valley Resort is a village unto itself, with 509 rooms.
Further Diversions: Try solid value 9-holer Bigwood GC ($49 for 18 walking, www.biqwoodgolf.com), a Robert Muir Graves design with multiple tee options making distinctive 9's, with bunkers aplenty and magnificent views of Bald Mountain. OR, whitewater rafting on the nearby Salmon or Payette Rivers. OR, nearby Ketchum was a ski mecca and Ernest Hemingway's burial place, even before mega-stars Bruce, Demi, and Arnold turned it into their private playground. For dining in Ketchum, stop by Hemmingway's former haunt, the Pioneer Saloon, still famous for it's steaks and spirits. I also remember seeing an E! or Travel Channel feature on Ketchum which said Bruce and/or Demi had redone the local theater and a restaurant, in upscale fashion, but I don't recall the names.