A Theme Of Green
One of the area’s best golf courses is getting better.
Already one of the most beautiful and challenging layouts in the region, Hidden Lakes Golf Resort east of Sandpoint is renovating its river delta section and adding a spectacular clubhouse to increase its lure for vacationers and serious players.
Four holes are being routed through a 45-acre island area of the Pack River, a major tributary to nearby Lake Pend Oreille. Connected by bridges and about 95 percent surrounded by water, the new holes bring Hidden Lakes to a par 72 length of 7,077 yards, up from a par 71 course at 6,600 yards.
The result is a difficulty rating of 73.5, highest in the state, and a slope rating of 141 from its black “Moose” tees. (Moose occasionally are seen on the course.) New tee boxes also are being added for players who prefer a shorter layout.
A 17,000-square-foot log-and-rock clubhouse is under construction on the riverbank at the 1,000-acre, 15-year-old course. More than half of the 70 home sites have been sold, and a 50-room lodge is planned to be built in the next two years.
The clubhouse’s lower level will house golf carts, club storage and a snack bar. The upper level includes a pro shop, locker rooms, full-service lounge, restaurant to seat 120 and a deck which seats 40.
The clubhouse will open May 1 and the number of employees at Hidden Lakes will increase from 40 to 50.
Offering both public play and membership options, Hidden Lakes is owned by Villelli Enterprises, headed by Dick Villelli, who came north 23 years ago from LaHabra, Calif.
Business offices are in the McFarland Building at 227 S. First Ave. in Sandpoint. Phone 255-4500 or 263-1642.
Emphasizing service to local customers, bankcda plans to open in the next few months at 1620 Northwest Blvd. in Coeur d’Alene.
Offices and a bankcda.com Web site are housed in the 3,400-square-foot facility that formerly was home to Pioneer Title. It will have about 10 employees.
The building is being renovated to have a “non-institutional” look, said Max Faller, the bank’s chief executive officer. Construction work by Shelter Associates includes an interior stairway, sheltered entry and an ATM unit and night depository.
The focus will be on local decisions for small- and medium-sized businesses, Faller said. The former First Security Bank executive is assisted by Jennifer Johnson, chief financial officer and former senior vice president of Inland Northwest Bank.
Board members include Ben Rolphe, Dr. John Shovic, Wayne Sorensen, C. Richard Nordstrom, John Marcheso, Charles Clock Jr., Craig Tedmon and Faller. Phone 665-5999.
A unique blend of gift items, collectibles and primitive decor pieces is offered by The Picket Fence, now open at 7352 Government Way in Dalton Gardens. The 1,400-square-foot shop is in Dalton Court mini-mall just north of Walker Furniture.
The inventory includes candles, greeting cards, 1950s kitchen implements, antiques, quilts, furniture and decor items described as “primitive,” with a worn, weathered ook.
“It’s decorating items that are called `lodge, cabin, country or farm,”’ said Daphne Feusier, who owns the business with Marianne Kober. They previously rented spaces in area antique and gift malls and decided to open their own store.
Kober had a similar store in Wasilla, Alaska, before moving to North Idaho in 1997. Feusier came north 22 years ago from the San Francisco Bay area. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 Mondays through Saturdays. Phone 762-8147.
Tidbits:
Milltown Grill, 306 Spokane St. in Post Falls, has extended its hours to include suppers. Decorated to reflect the store’s location in Milltown Center on the founding site of the town in 1891, hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Phone 457-1724.
The nation’s top customer service award was presented to Pat Murphy of Home Environments at the Coleman Spas convention in Orlando, Fla. Topping 300 dealers, the North Idaho company’s performance was measured by customer surveys and dealer ratings.