Facility Update
Wild at Heart
An Ongoing Expansion of Montana’s Wilderness Club Brings New Amenities to Owners and Guests
Report by Andrew Penner
Surrounded by thousands of acres of pristine forests, snow-smeared mountains, and glacier-fed streams, Montana’s Wilderness Club is a little slice of heaven for golfers (and others) who enjoy things a little more, well, “backwoodsy.” However, the Troon-managed resort and golf community, which is situated just a few Faldo 5-irons from the Canadian border, is poised for a major expansion.
And, while Faldo designed the award-winning layout at Wilderness Club (the course opened in 2009 and is consistently recognized as one of the best courses in the state), it’s the rest of the architectural work at Wilderness Club that seems to be getting the bulk of the attention these days.
Unquestionably, the biggest and most exciting component of the multi-faceted expansion will be a new Village Centre. Anchored by a well-stocked general store, the Village Centre will also include a spacious real estate center (overlooking the stunning lakeside finishing hole), concierge/front desk service for members and guests, a luxurious event center, golf shop, and additional food and beverage outlets. Work on the first phase of the Village Center will begin in August.
Other key pieces in the expansion will be additional real estate phases (not surprisingly, rustic timber-framed cabins and luxurious cottages rule the roost), a new beach club on Lake Koocanusa, community gardens, and new trails.
“We are thrilled to witness this expansion and the continuous influx of new residents who are drawn to our exceptional lifestyle and natural surroundings,” says Brian Ehlert, the owner of Wilderness Club. “Wilderness Club is experiencing rapid growth right now.”
Of course, given the fact that Wilderness Club is surrounded by the Kootenai National Forest, the “wild” factor will certainly remain intact.
