A family of four golf courses in St. George

Course Spotlight

An excellent way to spend your day

Story by Bill Bowman

ST. GEORGE, Utah—Sometimes you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax. For many, those relaxing times will often include a little golf along the way. With that in mind, we’ve got an ideal spot for that getaway and the perfect golf courses to tee it up on.

Welcome to St. George, Utah.

Whether it’s a quick 9-hole round, an 18-hole outing, or a 27-hole all-day experience, the family of four golf courses at St. George City Golf offers gorgeous golf course experiences with budget-friendly pricing—just what the doctor ordered.

St. George is just a two-hour drive from Las Vegas, so whether it’s for a quick day-trip, a weekend outing, or that week-long vacation, you’ll find golf experiences that are well worth the drive.

Well, what are you waiting for? It’s time to hit the road.

No matter which course (or courses) players choose, they will find courses that are player-friendly, scenic, and lush––all great attributes players are looking for when making tee times. Add in budget-friendly and you’ve got the complete package.

While there are four distinct layouts, the courses all have a few common denominators. “They are all very playable and won’t beat up players,” explains Colby Cowan, Director of Golf Operations for the City of St. George. “And they are all always in great condition.”

Let’s start out with the main attraction: Sunbrook Golf Club. This 27-hole layout features three distinct 9-hole tracks that will appeal to golfers no matter which layouts they take on. There’s The Pointe (3,397 yards, par 36), Woodbridge (3,491 yards, par 36) and Blackrock (3,384 yards, par 36). Mix and match the nines and you’ve got three different 18-hole golf course options rolled into one destination. All are less than 7,000 yards when put together that will appeal to players of every caliber. If you’ve got the time and the stamina, you can certainly play all three layouts on the same day to get the full experience.

“Sunbrook is definitely our centerpiece,” says Cowan. “It’s got all of the variety golfers are looking for with the three nines and it definitely is the golf course that gets the most play. Players will find all the challenge they want here.”

On the course at Sunbrook, the Blackrock nine is one that players will never forget. While it is the shortest of the three nines, it’s also the most deadly if players stray off the fairways as three holes are carved out of black lava rock. The stark color contrast of the black lava and the bright green fairways and greens are visually stunning, but with beauty comes plenty of trepidation. Hitting a shot into the lava will not only cost players a stroke (or strokes), it will also probably cost them a golf ball or two as the lava wreaks havoc on errant shots.

On the Woodbridge nine, players will take on a scenic par 3 that reaches 200 yards with a gorgeous island green as the target. After the tee shot, players drive over a bridge that adds beauty and charm to the layout. This is one of those holes where the view from the tee box is as visually stimulating as it is treacherous. Woodbridge also features a short 446-yard par 5 on the third hole that will give players the chance to get home in two with an eagle possibility.

The 320-yard, par 4 fifth hole is what truly stands out at the Pointe. It gives new definition to risk and reward as the hole plays along a desert cliff (dropping down some 100 feet) on the left side. Trying to drive a par 4 is always a risky proposition, but this hole takes that risk to a new level with steep falls.

No matter which of the courses players take on, they will find enough beauty and challenge to bring them back for more.

At Southgate Golf Club, accuracy is put to the test from start to finish. It’s not just the length that makes Southgate a challenge. At 6,321 yards and playing to a par of 71, it’s a very score-able course. As players must avoid water on eight of the holes on the front nine alone, there are plenty of tests. The back nine is a little longer, but risk/reward holes allow players to take a gamble or two. However, impressive elevation changes everywhere (some dropping from tee to green and others rising from tee to green), players need to make sure they take these rises and falls into consideration before making club selection.

“It may not be a long course, but with all the water features, it’s certainly a test for players,” Cowan says. “It’s certainly a nice course for players to check out.”

At 7,238 yards, St. George’s Golf Club is a par 73 brute with just three par 3s. Big greens welcome approach shots and even if those shots aren’t on target, generous bailout areas will still give players the chance to get up and down to save par. The ninth hole is one of the most impressive holes, being a par 5 that reaches 535 yards from the tips. The green features a pond that borders three sides, making accuracy in approach shots a must.

“It’s a traditional course with plenty of trees adding to the views and the challenge,” Cowan says. “It’s a good, solid golf course.”

Last, but certainly not least, is Dixie Red Hills. This 9-hole course (par 35, 2,733 yards) opened its doors in 1965 and was the first golf course in the St. George area. The layout is nestled at the base of a red rock mountain, where players will see more than their share of golfers walking this local’s favorite. The 516-yard, par 5 third hole is another risk/reward hole that will challenge players’ aggressiveness. The design resembles a reverse ‘C’, so a severe right-to-left shot off the tee can give players the chance to get home in two and a possible eagle putt.

“It’s just one of those fun courses that everyone will enjoy,” Cowan says. “It’s playable and fun and that’s what players are looking for.”

There you have it—four scenic and player-friendly courses. And there are also packages available for those wanting to play multiple rounds at the courses.

Cowan sums up the layouts simply: “If golfers haven’t played up here, there are a variety of reasons why they should. The golf is very affordable, the courses are outstanding, the temperature is cooler, and the scenery around the courses is outstanding.”

St. George City Golf

St. George, Utah

www.stgeorgecitygolf.com

435-627-4653

Dixie Red Hills

645 W. 1250 N., St. George

www.stgeorgecitygolf.com/dixieredhills.php

435-627-4444

Southgate Golf Club

1975 Tonaquint Dr., St. George

www.stgeorgecitygolf.com/southgate.php

435-627-4440