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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Kalen Braley on September 19, 2022, 09:05:36 PM

Title: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Kalen Braley on September 19, 2022, 09:05:36 PM
I recently took a trip to Central and Eastern WA and in planning my trip, I discovered what appears to be at least an initial effort to create a course on the north-west boundary of Spokane.

I found this archived article from 1996 with a fair amount of information, but not much else. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/feb/08/bigger-boundaries-property-owners-want-city/ (https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/feb/08/bigger-boundaries-property-owners-want-city/)

The property was owned by Bigger Boundaries with Pete Raynor as the lead on the overall project. By then he already owned and created a smaller golf facility for putting on the eastern part of town which has since been converted to an Event Center for Wedding Receptions, etc.  He and his partners had an ambitious mix-use plan for the 1700 acres just north of the Indian Trail neighborhood of which they had set aside 110 acres for a 18 hole golf course.

I confirmed on Historical Aerials in 1995 the land had yet been modified, but by 2006 there was clear evidence work had occurred.  The latest Google Maps image still clearly shows bunkers had been created, but am unable to decipher much else in terms of routing, greens, etc. 

So I'm curious if the sleuths on GCA can determine if a more detailed plan is available as the article states existed?  And if the course was ever completed and opened, or if Pete went renegade and started building before he had permits and was shut down in process.  Or perhaps if anyone knew Pete or even involved in this effort?

Thanks in advance for your help,


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52370595413_fcb6fb0ca5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nMNZse)

Another view with Google Earth, (looking from NW to the SE)


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52370668293_e5995130da_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nMPn7M)

Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Pete_Pittock on September 20, 2022, 03:30:12 PM
Kalen,
I checked through MacMillan's "Golfing in Washington", 2000 edition and there was no mention of this course. I'd guess it was stillborn.
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Kalen Braley on September 20, 2022, 04:01:39 PM
Kalen,
I checked through MacMillan's "Golfing in Washington", 2000 edition and there was no mention of this course. I'd guess it was stillborn.


Pete,

I'm guessing same as well.

My first visit to Spokane was in 98 and then I moved there in 2000 and I don't recall this course either, even thou I played Downriver and Indian Canyon in same time frame, which are only 10-15 minutes away. 

Seems like a pity because the site has lots of movement and looks to utilize some large ripples left over from the Ice Age floods.  Additionally, the only other courses in Eastern WA that take advantage of this kind of movement is Palouse Ridge, Indian Canyon, and Wine Valley, ( two solid DS 4-5 courses and one damn good one)!

P.S.  Still would be interesting to see what the original routing/layout ...
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Ian Mackenzie on September 20, 2022, 04:24:39 PM
"Paging Dr. Nilsen. Dr. Sven Nilsen?"
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Josh Bills on September 26, 2022, 04:02:05 PM

This is from 2003 aerials.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386809554_fc116ecc14_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Kalen Braley on September 26, 2022, 04:31:31 PM
Josh, just awesome!

I'll take a closer look on Google Earth with that as reference.

P.S.  I've got an email into Pete, hopefully I'll get a reply.

Thanks!

Kalen
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Craig Sweet on September 26, 2022, 08:03:05 PM
Kalen, call this guy. I think he might know.



Steve LebsackGolf Course Turf Equipment & Sports Turf Equipment Sales

(509) 953-6482
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Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Kalen Braley on September 26, 2022, 09:52:38 PM
Kalen, call this guy. I think he might know.

Steve LebsackGolf Course Turf Equipment & Sports Turf Equipment Sales

(509) 953-6482



Thanks Craig,


Will do!


Kalen
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Craig Sweet on September 26, 2022, 10:12:10 PM
John Deere sales guy in the Spokane Valley
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Garland Bayley on September 26, 2022, 11:57:11 PM
While we are on the subject of missing Spokane golf courses, nearly 30 years ago my son and I stopped at a course west of Spokane to play a round of golf. Later in life, I put together a list of courses I had played, and I couldn't find this course anywhere using Google maps. So, I figured it had gone NLE. Tonight I thought I would look at Google maps to try to come up with a description of where I thought it was to ask about it. Low and behold, I opened Google maps in satellite view (unusual for me), panned west of Spokane along I-90, and there it was. It has the very original name of Fairways Golf Course.  ::) I doubt that was the name it had when I played it. I wonder if it went under and lay dormant for some time. It seems they may have a difficult time making a go of it.

However, this course may not be the one I remember. Looking at the sattelite view it appears that 12 and 13 are the primary holes I remember. But a course description doesn't seem to match my memory. The descriptions says marshes form the water hazards. Whereas, the most memorable aspect of the course I remember would be the irrigation pond that was set at a higher elevation with a par 3 green having a forced water carry. Hole 13? What made it so memorable was that on the preceeding hole I hit one towards the pond, and my mood deflated until I saw the ball land and run down the slope away from the pond back towards the fairway. Silly me. I was expecting to see the ball run down a slope into the pond.  :o
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Kalen Braley on September 27, 2022, 12:02:00 PM
Garland,

Funny story, I played it a couple of times when I had a coupon, but other than that it was barely worth the drive out there.

P.S.  The one thing I recall from that course is my playing partner driving thru what he thought was rough, but was one of those marshy areas and he got the cart super stuck. couple of wheels fully sunk in the mud.  ;D
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Kalen Braley on September 27, 2022, 07:55:11 PM
Kalen, call this guy. I think he might know.

Steve LebsackGolf Course Turf Equipment & Sports Turf Equipment Sales
(509) 953-6482



Hey Craig,

Just had a chat with Steve.  He does recall the project, but didn't know any details regarding the owner, routing, etc. 

He did basically confirm the course never opened and recalled they had issues with water.  So sounds like they couldn't get permits for at least water rights, (and I suspect it may have went beyond that) which is a pity as unlike the rest of the West, Spokane has no shortage of secondary use water.

He gave me one other name to follow up with, so perhaps more to come, and mentioned he'd keep his ear perked for any discussion on it among his peers.

Thanks!


Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Craig Sweet on September 27, 2022, 09:21:36 PM
Kalen, glad Steve was able to fill in a few gaps in your research.  When ya coming back over to Montana for some golf?
Title: Re: Request For Info - NLE Course in Spokane
Post by: Kalen Braley on September 27, 2022, 09:29:21 PM
Kalen, glad Steve was able to fill in a few gaps in your research.  When ya coming back over to Montana for some golf?

Craig,

I was just up that way a few weeks ago, but i'm really wanting to get back up there sooner than later, but I'll be sure to reach out. 

P.S. I did take a detour on my way from Spokane to Missoula and took a look at the Camas Ripples just north of town.

(https://hugefloods.com/Camas-Prairie-Sunrise.jpg)