Golf Digest Rates Circling Raven No. 1 Public Course in Idaho

(Worley, Idaho; June 11, 2025) – The votes are in and panelists for Golf Digest rank Circling Raven as Idaho’s top public course via the national publication’s just-released “America’s Greatest Courses by State, 2025-26” compilation.

 

Circling Raven was ranked No. 6 overall in Idaho and the state’s top public course. The top five are private courses. To arrive at its ranking of America's Greatest Golf Courses, Golf Digest panelists play and score courses on these eight criteria: shot options, challenge, layout variety, distinctiveness, aesthetics, conditioning, and character.

 

“We work tirelessly to ensure that Circling Raven is an exceptional amenity of Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, and we are constantly enhancing the course and golf club,” said resort CEO Laura Penney, MBA. “This honor from Golf Digest reinforces that our best practices are well designed and executed.”

 

Like the casino resort, the Gene Bates-designed championship golf course is owned by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Director of Golf Don Rasmussen, PGA, and Superintendent Kal Zaranec oversee stellar operations and course conditions, respectively.

 

Located in the lush, scenic Idaho panhandle, Circling Raven is ingeniously routed across 620 stunning acres of Palouse Region terrain. Named for a seminal tribal chief, the course sits amid woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife, including eagles and moose. Nature and reverence for the land are essential to the course and Tribal custom.

 

In addition to being rated No. 1 public course in Idaho, the course is ranked among the country’s best in Resort Course, Casino Course and Pro Shop categories. Located approximately 50 minutes from Spokane International Airport (GEG), Circling Raven measures 7,189 yards from the rear tee boxes. Many who play Circling Raven, which includes a nationally honored retail shop and the excellent Twisted Earth Grill, claim it as an immediate member of their all-time favorite golf experiences.

Located approximately 55 minutes from Spokane International Airport (GEG), Circling Raven measures 7,189 yards from the rear tees. Many who play Circling Raven, which includes a nationally honored retail shop and the excellent Twisted Earth restaurant with bar, claim it as an immediate member of their all-time best golf experiences.

 For more information about Circling Raven and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, including stay-and-play packages, value-laden Raven Cards, and instructional programs, visit www.cdacasino.com or 800-523-2464.

 

About Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel

Since 1993, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has operated the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, located where sky greets Mt. Tch’mutpkwe, source of the St. Joe River, 25 miles from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The casino resort is among the largest employers in North Idaho employing between 850-1,100 depending on the season and contributing more than $36 million to education and other worthwhile causes in the region since it opened. Named Tribal Destination of the Year in 2019 by AIANTA and winning the silver Distinguished Dozen award from Courier in 2019 and 2020, the property features 300 rooms and suites, seven distinct food and beverage venues and entertainment including live music and comedy as well as hands-on tours and experiences through the casino’s Cultural Tourism Program. Three million-dollar winners have found their luck on 100,000 square feet of gaming space offering nearly 1,200 video gaming machines and high stakes bingo. Additional amenities include a 15,000 square foot spa voted 1st for “Resort Spas that deliver the Ahh Factor” by Spatrips.com, 39,000 square feet of meeting space, indoor and outdoor wedding locations and Circling Raven Golf Club, an 18-hole, par 72 course acclaimed as a “Top 100” course by every major golf publication in the U.S. LIKE Coeur d’Alene Casino on Facebook and Instagram or follow us on Twitter. For more information about Coeur d’Alene Casino and Circling Raven, visit www.cdacasino.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Dan Shepherd, dan@danshepherd.com 703-403-5317

Yvette Matt, ymatt@cdacasino.com, 208-500-9989