The Park City area’s newest golf course opened Aug. 8 at Victory Ranch outside of Francis and Woodland. Unless a golfer wins tickets at one of a few fundraisers this fall, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to tee-off at the exclusive club.
John Beesley, head professional at Victory Ranch, says that’s too bad, because it’s probably the best course in the state.
The 18 holes offer a diverse playing experience, Beesley said. You can take it easy, or play it difficult if you choose.
“It’s a course you can enjoy playing every day,” he said.
It’s not the most challenging course in the state, explained general manager Craig Sanchez, because it was designed to be enjoyable.
Beesley said there are no tricky greens, but various holes offer several different tee boxes allowing golfers to have a unique experience each time on the course.
As good as the course is, it’s not actually what Sanchez and Beesley like to brag about. The views, they say, are second to none.
From the 17th hole, golfers can see to Jordanelle Reservoir, the Uintas, Kamas Valley and Mount Timpanogos, Sanchez said.
“You tend to look at what’s surrounding you, how pretty the views are,” Beesley said. “The course is spectacular, but you get distracted looking at what’s all around you. It’s hard to stay focused on playing the 18 holes. It’s that pretty.”
The course was designed by Rees Jones and is 7,500 yards from tip to tip, Sanchez said. The club house is currently in a trailer near the first hole, but will soon be moved to a cottage to be built nearby.
As nice as the golf course is, a lot of the early buyers at Victory Ranch did so for the fishing. The development lies in the Woodland Valley along a wild section of the Provo River. There are no dams above it, creating a unique and natural fishing experience, said Matt Eastmen, director of fly fishing.
There are currently 58 members of Victory Ranch and five homes built, one of which is featured in this year’s Park City Area Showcase of Homes.
It’s billed as a ranch lifestyle, Sanchez said. The development is unpretentious and casual. Homes cannot be larger than 6,000 square feet.
Victory Ranch spans 5,600 acres, but half that acreage will be preserved as open space to preserve the natural beauty of the river’s corridor, he explained.
And unlike some golf communities, there’s still plenty to do year-round, Sanchez said. In addition to fishing, many people enjoyed cross country and back country skiing last winter.
But Eastman can’t say enough about the fishing. The upper Provo River is one of the best wild stretches in all of Utah and there’s no better place to come to catch a world-class trout, he said.
The lower portions of the river are rated as Blue Ribbon and the five miles adjacent to Victory Ranch are “spectacular,” he said.
The ecosystem is healthy, creating a perfect environment for fish, Eastman explained. Most of the land surrounding the upper portion of the river, like Victory Ranch, is private so it’s also secluded.
“If you want to catch the trout of a lifetime, this is where to come,” he said.