New Shelton Golf Course get national award

Shelton’s Salish Cliffs Golf Club

Shelton’s brand-new Salish Cliffs Golf Club at Little Creek Casino Resort is the nation’s top course to open in 2011, and No. 8 overall, according to “Golfweek’s Best 2011: Best New Courses” ranking, released today.

Salish Cliffs, a Gene Bates design that opened to the public on Sept. 16, was chosen by Golfweek’s nationwide team of course raters. The elite ranking is reserved for courses that debuted in 2010 or 2011. Not only was Salish Cliffs the top-ranked layout to open this year, but it was just one of two Pacific Northwest courses on the list, along with Old Macdonald in Bandon, Ore., which earned the No. 1 spot.

“We have known all along Salish Cliffs is a special course, one we hope golfers will rate among North America’s finest,” said Head Professional David Kass, PGA. “It’s a great honor that, less than six weeks after opening to the public, we’ve already received national recognition from Golfweek.”

Shelton’s Salish Cliffs has received national acclaim for its stunning beauty and clever design since opening. It has also received praise for its reasonable rates and was included on Forbes.com’s list of the “12 Best Value Courses in the U.S.”

The par-72, 7,269-yard championship course provides an intimate setting with 16 of 18 holes encircled by lush forestry. The course is friendly to players of all levels thanks to five sets of tees and offers stunning scenery with 360-degree views of Olympic Peninsula’s Kamilche Valley. The black “tips” received a rating/slope of 75.4/137 from the USGA while the 5,313-yard forward tees come in with a 70.7 rating and 125 slope.

Shelton Golf has Reasonable Rates

Public rates through Oct. 31 are $69 (Monday-Thursday) and $79 (Friday-Sunday) for 18 holes and $40 and $50, respectively, for nine, including green fees and cart (but not applicable tax). MVP Player’s Card Holders will pay $64 (Monday-Thursday) and $74 (Friday-Sunday). Twilight rates, which begin at 3 p.m., are $40 (Monday-Thursday) and $50 (Friday-Sunday).

Tee times can be booked with a major credit card up to 10 days in advance at www.salish-cliffs.com. Advanced tee-time booking up to 60 days in advance is available for those with confirmed Little Creek Casino Resort hotel reservations by calling the golf shop at 360.462.3673.