Designer Unveiled for New Golf Course, Joined by Tiger Woods' Previous Collaborators
In the picturesque landscape of northern Utah, the private golf club community of Marcella is preparing to unveil two exclusive championship courses. The first, a Tiger Woods-designed course, is already generating buzz, but it's the second course, Ambush, that's truly capturing the imagination.
Designed by the renowned architecture firm King Collins Dormer, Ambush is an 18-hole championship course set along a stunning, protected mile-long ridgeline known as Jordanelle Ridge. Known for creating unique and edgy courses, KCD Design was chosen to design this masterpiece.
Ambush is defined by its dramatic mountain vistas, artistic shaping of the terrain, and a mix of expansive and intimate golfing environments. The course combines the big vista mountain holes with a scale reminiscent of Collins's Landmand course in Nebraska, alongside quieter valley holes with a Midwest “dunesy” character.
Each hole has been sculpted to capture the natural beauty and drama of the landscape, creating a playing experience that emphasizes the site's unique topography and visual appeal. The course leverages natural ridges and views for exceptional scenery and golf challenges, making it one of the most awe-inspiring golf courses in Utah.
The design focus includes integrating the course within the natural environment, providing both challenging play and visual harmony with the rugged Utah setting. Ambush's routing will make the course walkable, with close green-to-tee transitions throughout. The fairways will feature a fescue blend, requiring the design and construction to accommodate a lot of ground-level shots.
Meanwhile, the Skyline Course, designed by Tiger Woods and Beau Welling, offers 360-degree views of various landmarks including the Uinta Mountains, Jordanelle Reservoir, Deer Valley Resort, and the Heber Valley. Both the Skyline Course and the Ambush Course are located within the Marcella community on Jordanelle Ridge.
The second course at Marcella will have a different thematic approach from the Tiger Woods-designed course. The Skyline Course is designed to be playable for all while presenting a strategic challenge, with some holes expected to be ready for play by members this year.
The activity at Marcella, along with new courses at Wohali and Three Bridges, and a potential even bigger project for REEF Capital near Black Desert Resort, contribute to Utah's status as a hotspot for new golf development. Utah is one of the most active states in the country for new golf development, experiencing the third-highest population growth percentage-wise behind only Florida and Texas.
The private club community of Marcella, built for generations, is a complete high-altitude golf and lifestyle community, according to Cody Winterton, division president of Raintree. The collaboration between REEF, Raintree Investment Corporation, and Crosslake Partners is set to redefine golfing experiences in Utah.
Trevor Dormer, who grew up in the mountains of Alberta, Canada, brings a passion for golf architecture to the project. In November 2024, KCD Design brought Dormer aboard as a partner, further enhancing the design team's reputation for creating compelling, site-sensitive golf architecture.
Ambush, with its otherworldly terrain, is set to become a must-play course for golf enthusiasts seeking a unique and challenging golfing experience amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
Sports enthusiasts, particularly golf lovers, should eagerly anticipate the upcoming Ambush golf course at Marcella in Utah. Designed by the acclaimed King Collins Dormer (KCD) Design firm, Ambush is a 18-hole championship course that follows the stunning Jordanelle Ridge. Known for crafting distinctive and daring course designs, KCD was chosen for its innovative approach to golf course architecture.
