There’s a course just north of Yellowstone, located in the heart of Montana, that you’ve probably never heard of. And to play there, you need to book a weeklong stay at a dude ranch owned by billionaire mogul Arthur Blank.
You’ll love every second of it.
Rising Sun Golf Course might see just 1,000 golfers a year, but last year I got to be one of them, teeing it up at a breathtaking place where the grounds crew often outnumber the players.
Rising Sun is a part of Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, a small resort (and working dude ranch) an hour outside of Bozeman in Emigrant, Mont. The goal at this ranch is simple — channel an old western ranch lifestyle, mix it with luxurious modern flair and create an stress-free escape.
(There’s little to no service or WiFi on the ranch, but you stop noticing quickly. You’ll be content using your phone as just a camera.)
In today’s world where it’s often hard to completely unplug, Mountain Sky excels at giving you room to escape, explore and relax. Some of life’s most serene moments are when we can separate from our daily routines. That’s part of the appeal of golf, getting away from everyday life to play a silly game for a few hours.
I found that peaceful feeling standing on the 15th tee of Rising Sun. The entire round was filled with stunning views of Emigrant Peak in the Absaroka Mountain Range, but the 15th tee is magazine-cover pretty. They call this Paradise Valley, which makes sense, because your round starts in the valley below and the views continue to get better on your way to the epic crescendo on the 15th.
My favorite rounds are when the course encourages you to work with the land instead of trying to conquer it. Make no mistake, Rising Sun is a difficult course, but that didn’t take away from the immense fun I had trying to solve the questions it asked.
There’s also plenty to do post-round, with fly fishing, archery, skeet shooting, horseback riding and even learning how to drive cattle like a “Yellowstone” character. (Not to mention superb dining.) The staff is involved in your stay from start to finish, ensuring you leave with the same love and appreciation for the place that they have. Most come back, too — only about one out of 10 people were there for the first time.
The best part about a small resort — and a course reserved only for guests — is that you might go an entire round without seeing another person on the course. Finish your round and want to go out and play another nine? The tee is yours. Short on time? Skip ahead to the 15th and play the postcard-worthy closing stretch. There is also a newly opened short course you have to check out. A teaching pro is also on hand for a quick lesson in case you come down with the yips.
