Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club in St. George, Utah, has reopened its golf course following a redesign by David McLay Kidd.

“What I saw here at Entrada was an opportunity,” said McLay Kidd. “All you have to do is look at the views here. Golf at its very best is played through a beautiful landscape. There are no great golf courses that aren’t played through beautiful, enthralling, enticing, adventurous landscapes. And, here when I first visited southern Utah and Entrada, I found just that.”

Kidd, who was assisted on the 17-month project by Troon’s design, development and agronomy team, redesigned and resurfaced every green on the Johnny Miller and Fred Bliss-designed course. Other work has included the renovation of all bunkers, recontouring fairways, relocation and renovation of tees, regrassing tees, fairways and rough, and installing new irrigation and drainage systems.

The course now plays as a par 71 and measures 7,065 yards from the back tees, an increase of 20 yards. Entrada’s practice facility was also renovated as part of the project.

“It’s definitely a desert course, you’re out here in southern Utah, but I want to have that links experience,” said Kidd, who has incorporated new contours and slopes into the course. “I want it to be the ground game. So many courses in America call themselves links, but you can’t run the ball anywhere. This golf course is made entirely for that. From the way the design is, to the way the grasses are maintained, it’s all about being able to run the ball along the ground and use it to your advantage. So, I would ask all the members and their guests to think about hitting a chipping seven iron then a lofted wedge. Because I guarantee, the percentages will be in your favour with that seven iron.”

Michael Rushing, the club’s general manager, said: “With the golf course renovation created by David McLay Kidd, it has provided our club members a very challenging and interesting golf course that encourages creativity throughout the round. Most importantly, our members are having fun playing their golf course.”