Nothing deflates a heightened sense of pasturepool fever than a beautiful golf and lodging opportunity that only the jet-set can afford. For a time, that was pretty much the case with Whitetail and Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho.
But times, they are a-changin’. For (somewhat) budget-conscious golf nuts, there is a huge silver lining in the down economy. Once out-of-reach, ultra-posh golf vacations are now within grasp. That even includes some truly spectacular facilities like the renowned Whitetail course in the forested paradise of Idaho’s Valley County.
Has the Whitetail Club essentially morphed into a muni course on steroids? Not by a long shot. It is still a luxurious private community offering the finest in real estate and resident and member amenities.
Custom homes can be found on generous lots throughout the 1,300-acre property, which offers a perfect balance of pristine forests, mountain ridges and open fields.
The club’s defining feature is the course, of course. By all means it is a championship-caliber design, which was created by two-time US Open winner Andy North. Whitetail’s impeccably manicured 7,200-yard golf course is rated as one of Idaho’s finest. Amid old growth forest and open meadows, the lush crosscut fairways and expansive rolling greens are protected by towering Ponderosa pines, trout ponds, white sand bunkers and imposing boulders. Play is open to club members and guests of Shore Lodge.
Member Perks
You can definitely get a good taste of the Whitetail experience as a guest at Shore Lodge, but for the full-meal deal, this high-end golf community is still primarily catered to its dedicated members.
Along with championship golf, members of Whitetail Club enjoy an unsurpassed list of amenities to complement the mountain resort lifestyle:
• Private member clubhouse with patio dining and swimming pool
• Indoor tennis court with fitness machines and golf training equipment
• Full access to the amenities at Shore Lodge and to Payette Lake
• Marina slips for boat owners
• Fine dining and meeting facilities at golf course clubhouse
• Miles of paved walking paths
• Groomed Nordic ski trails in winter
• Mountaintop community yurt with fire pit
Unlike some communities throughout the West, at Whitetail all property owners are automatically granted membership of the club, with full access to all the services and amenities within the community and at Shore Lodge. (The club also offers a limited number of individuals the opportunity to become nonresident members.)
Whitetail currently has singlefamily estate lots for sale, with golf course or Payette Lake and mountain views. Lots range in size from one to three acres, with prices beginning in the mid-$400,000s. New cabin homes are in design phase, with more information becoming available this summer.
The increased accessibility to the club and its lodging facility was primarily due to a change in philosophy when Whitetail changed owners in the fall of 2008. Formerly owned by Manchester Grand Resorts, the club was sold last fall to the Idaho-based ownership group of Alscott Real Estate and RMH Company. (Alscott is headed by Joe Scott, chairman of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation and grandson of Joe Albertson who founded the Albertsons supermarket chain in Boise in 1939. RMH is owned by the Hormaechea family—Idaho natives and long-time residents of Boise and McCall.) “Stay and Play” vacation packages are available in conjunction with Shore Lodge. Members and guests can make reservations up to 90 days in advance by calling the Whitetail Golf Shop at (208) 630-0211. No tee times are available before 8 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m.
Vacation packages run the gamut from dining to golf and lodging in a myriad of combinations. The designated “Shore Lodge Golf Package,” for example, is ideal for couples and friends. It includes lake-view accommodations and two rounds at Whitetail Golf Course through Oct. 15. Rates are $279 (June 1–June 30 and Sept. 1–Oct. 15) or $339 (July 1–August 31, 2009). You can also opt for packages that give you a sampler of McCall’s other fine courses, including Jug Mountain and the venerable McCall Golf Course. (Rates on that option are $599 for two guests.)
Spa packages are also available. Restore your body, revive your mind and enhance your well being at WaterBlue Spa. Each of the club’s skin, body and facial treatments feature custom blends of precious essential oils, luxurious botanicals, pure herbal extracts, natural plant oils and pulps rich in nutrients.
Restrictions apply, rates vary and advance booking is highly suggested. For more information on this fantastic golf vacation opportunity, visit www.shorelodgemccall.com.
Whitetail at a Glance
18 holes (four par 3s; 10 par 4s; four par 5s)
Total par: 72
Course rating: 71.4
Course slope: 125
200 acres of sod grass
Full-service clubhouse with retail venues, refreshments and panoramic views
Season: May 23 to October 15
Getting There
From Boise, travelers enjoy a beautiful two-hour drive along the Payette River Scenic Byway. Most major airlines service Boise Airport. Just five minutes from the lodge, the McCall Municipal Airport is a full service facility catering to business jets and other small to large aircraft. McCall Air provides commuter flights between McCall and Boise Airport, with fares starting at $127 each way.
501 West Lake St.
McCall, ID 83638
Phone: (208) 634-2244
Fax: (208) 634-1552
Website: www.whitetailclub.com