Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ II) has released its routing for an 18-hole golf course it has designed for Three Bridges, a new luxury residential-resort community in Salem, Utah.
The development, located near the western edge of the Wasatch Mountain range, will be built on a 530-acre property that was previously cattle-grazing land. In addition to an 18-hole golf course, real estate developer High Ground Development is planning 413 homes, a 200-room luxury hotel, a five-acre lake for water sports, a beach club, four miles of hiking and biking trails, an event venue, fitness centre and spa, as well as pickleball and tennis courts.
“I’m thrilled our firm is gearing up to construct our first course in Utah,” said Robert Trent Jones, Jr. “The land is special and will offer golfers great views and great shots.”
The opening five holes will be laid out over pastureland, with the remaining among foothills, ravines and forest.
“Three Bridges will showcase the dramatic coming together of residential luxury and the imposing mountain landscape,” said Mark Voss, senior project architect at RTJ II. “Golfers will enjoy 360-degree views from steep mountain hillsides, across valleys and down to Utah Lake. We are routing the course to present the rugged landscape; elevation change and scale of the site to both intrigue and entertain players.”
Elevation change will be particularly evident from the tees of holes three and four, while holes six to nine move up a hillside through desert. The tenth drops steeply to a green located on the valley floor, and holes eleven to seventeen play up, down, over and across hill slope. For the par-five eighteenth, golfers will play over a natural ravine to the green.
“Knowing this community is geared to families, we created great flexibility in the positioning of teeing areas and welcoming fairway corridors for the beginning golfer, while creating exciting challenges for the seasoned player,” said Trent Jones, COO of RTJII. “We will add to the fun by preserving the natural landscape and emphasising the views of the Wasatch range and amazingly varied topography.”
Three Bridges will feature freeform tees, heavily contoured greens, rugged sand hazards including elongated scar bunkers, a large social green near the range, and a hidden par-three hole located between the seventh tee and ninth green.
Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2024, with the first nine and driving range expected to open by summer 2025, along with a temporary clubhouse. The final nine holes are scheduled to open in spring 2026, with the hotel following in 2027.