StoneRidge Golf Course Review
October 3, 2024
We are staying at the Blackwell RV park. There are a lot of nice courses in the area and we only have time to play a few of them. So, while at the front desk at the park, I learned one of the employees played golf and knew all the local courses well. I asked him if he could only play one course in the area, what course would it be? Without a pause he said, StoneRidge golf course.
He started talking about the views, then the quality of the course, and then how much he loved to play there. I went straight back to our rig and made a tee time. With a strong recommendation like that, we just had to play there.
Two days from that conversation, Kathy and I were playing at StoneRidge Golf Course.
By the time we got to the golf course, the landscape had changed. We were in the foothills of the mountains. Trees were everywhere. There was a small parking lot with a nice little clubhouse tucked into the course.
At check-in, Miller made sure we knew the tricks of the course. He advised me that the first hole was deceiving. It begs you to go for it with a long drive. Then just chip up to the green. But the trick is to lay up and then hit 150 yard second shot, because the green is guarded with sand, tall grass, and water. And an errant drive is surely getting wet or will end up in deep grass. He was right.
Kathy listened to Miller and ended up with a birdie. I had to work hard and scramble for a par. Hitting my drive through the fairway and into tall grass.
The course was in great condition.
From the tee to the green, StoneRidge was a nice country course. Lots of trees lined the open, well groomed fairways. The greens were in perfect shape. The ball roll was exceptional. Water came into play on a few holes. But, that was it.
Nothing on this course was going to stop us from scoring well.
We were paired with Bruce. As a local player, Bruce was able to give us a few tips along the way. He told us that the back nine would be more open than the front. Giving us a better chance at lowering our score on the back. He was spot on.
The views stood out for both Kathy and me. They were spectacular all day. We loved that the mountains seemed to be all around us. And the trees were majestically standing in the background of every shot.
StoneRidge golf course did a little something that I haven’t seen many times before. They had a nice little chipping area with balls and collection bags out there. You could practice all day. Everyone just had to share the 100 balls that were there. Nice little touch.
Based on our golf scorecard, StoneRidge Golf Course is a very strong Par course.
If you don’t mind a 45 minute drive and want to get away from the hustle and bustle, StoneRidge golf course is worth the drive.
Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting
Written By: Marc Festa
COURSE REVIEW SCORE CARD
Course: StoneRidge Golf Course
Type: Semi-Private
Date Played: 24 September 2024
| HOLE | PAR | SCORE | COMMENTS |
| 1 – Tee Time Availability | 4 | 4 | We had no problem getting the tee time we wanted. |
| 2 – Cost of Green Fees | 4 | 4 | Comparable to other courses in the area. |
| 3 – Condition of Tee Boxes | 4 | 4 | Well maintained tee boxes. |
| 4 – Condition of Fairways | 5 | 4 | The rough was long and challenging, so it was best to hit the fairways! The course provided a good mix of shot requirements. At times it is wide open, but most of the time the uphill and downhill layout asks for adjusting my club selection with care. |
| 5 – Condition of Greens | 4 | 4 | The greens were in good shape, and at times fast. |
| 6 – Length of Course | 5 | 5 | Total of 7,008 yards from the tips; 6,671 from the Blues; 5,192 from the Forward tees. And a bonus 19th hole! |
| 7 – Hazards | 4 | 4 | Water and bunkers were placed in key locations that protected the greens, but still playable. |
| 8 – Starter/Marshal | 3 | 4 | There was no Marshal on the course, and we did find ourselves waiting on several holes due to the slow pace of play with the groups ahead of us. |
| 9 – High Handicap Friendly | 3 | 3 | Forward tee box placement made the course competitive for the higher handicap player. |
| OUT | 36 | 36 | |
| 10 – Practice Area | 5 | 4 | Driving range, pitching area with balls and putting greens. |
| 11 – Locker Rooms | 3 | 3 | Bathrooms available. |
| 12 – Pro Shop | 4 | 4 | The golf pro-shop was well stocked. |
| 13 – Location | 4 | 4 | Located in the Northern Idaho resort community of Blanchard about 40 miles north of Coeur d’Alene. |
| 14 – Rental Equipment | 4 | 5 | Nice golf carts, but the GPS in the cart didn’t work. |
| 15 – Food Cart | 4 | 4 | There was no food cart on our day, but we were told they have a food/beverage cart on the weekends. |
| 16 – Restaurant/Club House | 4 | 4 | The restaurant was closed at the end of our round for a special event, but we were able to get a drink. |
| 17 – Parking | 3 | 3 | Small, but plenty of spaces. |
| 18 – Customer Service | 5 | 4 | Outstanding – Miller was very happy to share his knowlege of the course with us and sent us off on a good note. |
| IN | 36 | 35 | |
| TOTAL | 72 | 71 | PLAYER: Marc F. ATTESTED BY: Kathy F. |
Hey Guys
Thanks for letting me join you for the round. You two are doing something that a lot of retirees only dream of!
Safe travels.
Bruce
Bruce – the pleasure was all ours! Fairway and Greens….XoXo….Kath