Sleepy Ridge: Valley's newest golf course looks to offer resort-like amenities

OREM — The designers and operators of the new Links at Sleepy Ridge golf course believe in feel-good golf — at least that's what they're hoping to provide with Utah Valley's newest golf option north of the Powell Slough wetlands on the east shoreline of Utah Lake.

Many new courses seem to cater to the long-ball hitters. Many modern course designers think ridiculously tough is good. In reality, courses have to be playable to be enjoyable. And making the golf experience fun is the key to repeat customers. Sleepy Ridge owner Golden Holt knows he needs repeat business to survive in Utah County's saturated golf market.

"We want to provide resort-like golf to the municipal golfer," Holt said. "We want this to be a place where golfers want to return to."

Once all of Sleepy Ridge's amenities are complete, the course will have bag boys in front of the clubhouse to greet golfers, and each green fee will come with a small bag of range balls to warm up. Complimentary bag tags for each player are also in the plans.

Golf-wise, designer Matt Dye wanted a course that appears challenging — and is, to a certain degree — but that is also player-friendly. The wetlands are visible on every hole and can look intimidating, but most of the fairways are wide and receptive to wayward shots. The course is

loaded with fairway traps surrounded by tall mounds, but the bunkers are not deep — and most are there to keep errant shots from running into worse trouble. Each hole has a direction post to help golfers know where to hit it.

The greens vary in shape and size. Some are large and undulating, while others are elevated and small. The course can be toughened up simply with pin placements.

"The best way to describe this course is that it has more bark than bite," head professional Devin York said. "The holes look very challenging, but it's more forgiving than it looks and if you hit good golf shots you should score well."

Golfers will find the front nine easier, with any more opportunities for birdies and fewer trouble spots. The back nine, on the other hand, has a few big numbers lurking if your game's not sharp.

"You should be able to score on the front side, but there's some holes on the back that can come up and grab you," York said.