The January/February edition of Travel and Leisure Golf includes a feature article naming "America's TOP 100 Golf Communities"; subtitled their "Annual List of the Best Places to Live-and Live Well".  The list includes Promontory, Talisker (aka Tuhaye) and Glenwild (all here in Park City, Utah).  The list was comprised with under the following criteria: "To be eligible, communities must offer property owners an opportunity for membership in an affiliated private golf club. Limited public access to the course- such as for guests at a resort- is allowed but may detract from a community's ranking.  Each property is reviewed in the following six categories, in order of importance: golf amenity; residential architecture and style; location, including natural setting and proximity to cultural activities; management, service and programming options, nongolf amenities, such as full service spa, equestrian center or marina; and environmental stewardship."  These requirements take quite a few areas out of the mix; even so, finding 3 of the 100 in the Park City area seems implausible.

            Don't get me wrong.  I think that each of these communities is deserving of high accolades and that each community has its own unique selling points.  As a resident of the area currently looking at Park City's local ski resorts all showing over an 80" snow base, I long to get out and play some golf.  Granted I currently ski 3-4 times a week and love it, I do look forward to being outside without 6 layers of clothing.  Like many ski resort area residents, I can say that I moved to the area for the skiing, but stay because of the summers.  Summers here are fantastic and the golf at these three communities measure up well.

            Promontory was given the #6 spot on the list of 100.  It opened its second 18-hole course this year (a Jack Nicklaus design to compliment its Pete Dye Canyon Course).  This area was the first of the club-type properties in the Park City area and covers 7500 acres.  Its seemingly endless compliment of alternative amenities includes skiing, fishing, equestrian facilities and a 5000 sq ft area devoted to kids.  See Promontory under the Park City Information/golf section of youinparkcity.com  

            Talisker (this is the name of the club amenity, the golf course and its attached community is named Tuhaye) earned the #14 spot on the list.  Of the three communities in the rankings, this may be the most well rounded (at least from a skier's perspective).  It is also the newest and its amenities just keep coming.  Its golf course is a Mark O'Meara design and there is talk of a Tom Fazio designed course on the way.  See Tuhaye under the Park City Information/golf section of youinparkcity.com

            Glenwild is the true golf community mentioned here in that it has no skiing counterpart involved.  It does measure up to the extras in the review categories with its spa and pool facilities, but not to the extent of the other two here.  Its golf course, though, sets the standard for the state and nearly always sits at number one on lists.  It is rumored that a well known former NBA star recently purchased a home in the area which is limited to just 200 build-able home-sites. See Glenwild under the Park City Information/golf section of youinparkcity.com 

            All-in-all, these are three great golf communities and when you look at their proximity to a major airport and the limitless opportunities for outdoor recreation that Park City and Utah offer, I can see where these may be part of the top 100 in the nation.  Personally, I think that my top picks might come from areas with a longer golfing season.  Until then, skiing will have to fill the void.