The January/February edition of Travel and Leisure Golf includes a feature article naming “America’s TOP 100 Golf Communities”; subtitled their “Annual List of the Best Places to Live-and Live Well”.  The list includes Promontory, Talisker (aka Tuhaye) and Glenwild (all here in Park City, Utah).  The list was comprised with under the following criteria: “To be eligible, communities must offer property owners an opportunity for membership in an affiliated private golf club. Limited public access to the course- such as for guests at a resort- is allowed but may detract from a community’s ranking.  Each property is reviewed in the following six categories, in order of importance: golf amenity; residential architecture and style; location, including natural setting and proximity to cultural activities; management, service and programming options, nongolf amenities, such as full service spa, equestrian center or marina; and environmental stewardship.”  These requirements take quite a few areas out of the mix; even so, finding 3 of the 100 in the Park City area seems implausible.

            Don’t get me wrong.  I think that each of these communities is deserving of high accolades and that each community has its own unique selling points.  As a resident of the area currently looking at Park City’s local ski resorts all showing over an 80″ snow base, I long to get out and play some golf.  Granted I currently ski 3-4 times a week and love it, I do look forward to being outside without 6 layers of clothing.  Like many ski resort area residents, I can say that I moved to the area for the skiing, but stay because of the summers.  Summers here are fantastic and the golf at these three communities measure up well.

            Promontory was given the #6 spot on the list of 100.  It opened its second 18-hole course this year (a Jack Nicklaus design to compliment its Pete Dye Canyon Course).  This area was the first of the club-type properties in the Park City area and covers 7500 acres.  Its seemingly endless compliment of alternative amenities includes skiing, fishing, equestrian facilities and a 5000 sq ft area devoted to kids.  See Promontory under the Park City Information/golf section of http://www.youinparkcity.com/  for more. http://www.youinparkcity.com/info.php?page_id=15

            Talisker (this is the name of the club amenity, the golf course and its attached community is named Tuhaye) earned the #14 spot on the list.  Of the three communities in the rankings, this may be the most well rounded (at least from a skier’s perspective).  It is also the newest and its amenities just keep coming.  Its golf course is a Mark O’Meara design and there is talk of a Tom Fazio designed course on the way.  See Tuhaye under the Park City Information/golf section of http://www.youinparkcity.com/  for more.

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            Glenwild is the true golf community mentioned here in that it has no skiing counterpart involved.  It does measure up to the extras in the review categories with its spa and pool facilities, but not to the extent of the other two here.  Its golf course, though, sets the standard for the state and nearly always sits at number one on lists.  It is rumored that a well known former NBA star recently purchased a home in the area which is limited to just 200 build-able home-sites. See Glenwild under the Park City Information/golf section of http://www.youinparkcity.com/  for more.

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            All-in-all, these are three great golf communities and when you look at their proximity to a major airport and the limitless opportunities for outdoor recreation that Park City and Utah offer, I can see where these may be part of the top 100 in the nation.  Personally, I think that my top picks might come from areas with a longer golfing season.  Until then, skiing will have to fill the void.

      Located at the top of the Jordanelle Gondola in the Deer Crest area of the Deer Valley Ski Resort, SKI Magazine along with Resorts West and Deer Valley Resort have teamed up to produce a fantastic ski home.

      This is much more than a little ski chalet for weekend getaways.  The home features 6 bedrooms and 10 baths spread out in a space of over 13,000 square feet.  I know that this number sounds huge, but the builders and designers have done a magnificent job in making this much space seem very live-able. 

      The home is located at 9806 N Summit View Dr in Park City at an elevation of nearly 8000 feet.  Access is through the gated Deer Crest community by car, and the ski runs off the Jordanelle Gondola and Deer Crest Lift are right out the door.  The outdoor pool/grotto and over-sized hot tub have a view of skiers passing by (in awe of the home and gawking at its inhabitants no doubt).  Views can be enjoyed from nearly all rooms in the home as well as from the 4500 square feet of deck space that wraps the home.

      While the SKI Magazine Dream Home feels very live-able, there is no doubt that this house is made for entertaining.  The gourmet kitchen features multiple Sub Zero refrigerators, freezers and an ice maker.  Chefs will appreciate the Wolf dual ranges, ovens, microwaves and warming ovens.  Three Asko dishwashers are ready for the dishes after a meal is done.  A theatre with stadium seating and a 124″ screen featuring 7.4 surround sound offers fantastic movie viewing.  A dance floor complete with a DJ booth sit outside the theatre area as does a pool table and plasma screen TV.  A Full Swinggolf simulator is there to keep your swing in tune during the winter months or the evenings when you can’t be on a nearby course.   There are 2 wine “cellars” and chillers (one next to the dining room table (a spot that makes much more sense than flights of stairs away).  The 15 fireplaces add a sense of warmth to all areas of the home as well as a more cozy intimate feel.

      The bedrooms are situated to give a private feel within each one.  The bathrooms all have a warm feel and no two are even remotely the same.  An elevator connects the 3.5 stories of the home although using it seems like a waste of the beautifully designed and finished staircase.  A day spa suite makes for a complete get-away, lose yourself ability (bring your own masseuse or therapist) within the home.  Design finishes throughout the home are well done without feeling over-the-top.   

      The is no doubt that this home contains many elements of worthy of Dream status.  Whether or not it is your Dream Home is up to personal taste, but it is truly hard to find many deficiencies in this one.  Asking price $18,950,000.  This property is listed by Resorts West Real Estate.  If this fits your attainable dream wishes, please contact us.  See the Deer Crest portionof our website for more info and photos.

Stay tuned here for the latest thoughts of the YouInParkCity.com team.