Folks in the Idaho panhandle, approximately 30 minutes south of Coeur d’Alene, have been telling stories of Circling Raven for over 200 years.
Not the golf course — though, it has garnered praise worldwide since its first full season (2004) — but of the tribal leader who lived in the region in the late 18th and early 19th century, leading his people through some of the most controversial events in tribal history, from the first contact with white men, to a vision of the Catholic missionaries who would soon come and convert tribal members from their centuries-old religions.

Two centuries later, as Circling Raven’s descendants made plans to open a world-class championship golf course on tribal land, they reflected on the momentous change in fortunes the course and accompanying casino resort could have for the tribe, and thought of Circling Raven. Thus was the course’s name born.

Fifteen years later, Circling Raven’s namesake is thriving, perennially ranked among the nation’s top public courses and expanding continually to meet the demands of golfers traveling from all around the globe to share the land that Circling Raven once roamed.

From a single bingo hall in 2004, the resort has grown to include a casino, hotel, events center, fine dining and world-class spa. Multiple wings have been added to the original hotel building, with another being completed soon.

It was golf course designer Gene Bates who was the first to really see the land the way Circling Raven saw it, in all of its natural splendor. Bates’ layout sprawls across 620 acres of wetlands, creeks, evergreens and Palouse grasses. There are split fairways, elevated tee boxes, risk-reward delights, and more than a few moments that will take one’s breath away. As it celebrates its 15th full season in 2019, the legend of Circling Raven has only grown — just like the legend of its forebear did two centuries before.

Francis SiJohn, the chief executive of the resort and a Coeur d’Alene tribal member himself, says that preserving the legacy of Circling Raven and the tribe he once led is the golf’s course’s primary mission.

“We’re here now to nurture this,” he says. “It’s a great place, a beautiful resort and a golf course like no other. Our job is to do more, bring more players and continue spreading the word about the experience we offer. We want to include opportunities for tribal members, their children now, and children yet to be born. Circling Raven and the game of golf are all part of that.”

Two centuries ago, the wider world came to this land and forever altered the lives of the people who called it home. Today, people are coming once again, and having a similar impact on the tribe’s future. The legend of Circling Raven lives on.