One day, forever ago, God sand painted a natural temple for all people that is Zion National Park, 30 minutes from St. George, Utah. St. George is the fastest growing city in America and its golf courses are wildly growing in popularity as well, mainly due to the vermillion landscape. The Red Rock Golf Trail is a collection of 10 golf properties – Sand Hollow, Coral Canyon, Sky Mountain, Entrada, Sunbrook, The Ledges, Green Spring, Southgate, Dixie Red Hills, and St. George Golf Club. 

The affordable La Quinta at the roundabout is a comfortable cornerstone within 30 minutes of courses. Coral Canyon is a beautiful beginning for casual play, great even with a bit of construction underway. The Ledges has superb conditioning with soft, green, fresh fairway carpeting. Entrada at snow canyon is famous for its lava rock holes. Keep it in the fairway! Entrada villas are spacious and elegant, with fully equipped kitchens and patios overlooking the course and/or water features. This ultimate rental option gains access to the semi-private course. 

Plan time for both golf and exploration of Zion National Park. It is a series of peaks and canyons, swirls of red rock, layers of geological history with hieroglyphics and dinosaur fossils. It is nature in epic proportions attracting visitors for hiking, canyoneering, and wading up the narrows which are plenty wide and amazingly tall. Drive to Canyon Overlook and hike to the point that is the dream cliff of base jumpers. As you catch your breath the immensity and magnificence of the red rock and granite formations take it away again. 

Foodies will not be disappointed in the area. The presentation on plates at The Switchback Grill mimics the canyon peaks and the cuisine is nothing less than extraordinary. Views from the patio of the Lodge’s Red Rock Grill might tempt you to linger all day while the Cliffside Restaurant in St. George reveals the whole town and surrounding mountains for a romantic setting. Visit the Information Center in St. George for a map of the Historical Walking Tour. Europeans, Asians, Africans and islanders dream of coming to Zion. If you haven’t yet, it’s easy now with American Airlines direct flights from Phoenix. It is also a simple 2-hour drive from Vegas or 7 from Phoenix.

At Sand Hollow the red sandy bunkers go hand in hand with the canyons. This is Tony Finau’s territory with one of the most incredible routings in the land flowing from number 11 through 16. Pose for photos on the eleventh green and look like you stepped into a painting. The Grille at Sand Hollow serves more views with great chow. Complete a perfect day by cooling off at the lake at Sand Hollow State Park where locals might camp and launch their boats or visitors may rent whichever water equipment that floats their boat or ATVs for powering over the red sand dunes. Showers are handy for rinsing the powdery dust. We giggled across the water on Sea-Doos. Hanging on tight while doing donuts is like a thigh master workout. After some deliberation we joined the youngsters on the rock cliff and made our leap of faith into the water. This traveling is either going to keep us young or kill us but at least we will die happy. If you are now dying to go on the Red Rock Golf Trail, playable year-round, check out www.VisitStGeorge.com.

Another summer discovery in the Park City area of Utah is Red Ledges, a private community all about family. What better family man than Jack Nicklaus could carve out a dramatic Signature 18 with remnants of the red rock trail and Rocky Mountain views? The additional golf park is a fun short course with no tee times, like playing stick ball in a cul-de-sac. It’s game on, game off at the park. Pets might play along for a Sunday sense of St. Andrews’ Old Course. Owners Tony Burns and Nolan Archibald teamed with Jack and Jim McLean for golf and Cliff Drysdale for tennis. You must be a private owner to play. A pool complex and dining facility with fine cuisine round out the community insulated from the tourist crowds. GM John Johnson says that prospective owners come from all over for the winter draw at Deer Valley, the country’s number one ski spot and stay for the summer while many invest in second homes for extended family vacations. The website’s video showcases the natural beauty and vision of this premier community in detail. www.redledges.com.

Alice and Danny Scott are known as America’s Golfing Couple and travel the world writing for many publications. Visit their website at www.americasgolfingcouple.com.