Boston Bracken’s Record
Young amateur Boston Bracken electrified the field with a course-record 64 en route to winning the Coral Canyon Amateur, making his name synonymous with scoring brilliance amid desert drama.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Coral Canyon Golf Course
Washington, Utah
Established
2001
Architect
Keith Foster
Access
Public
Par
Par 72
Length
4,676 – 7,200 yds
Green Fees
$$
The verdict
Desert drama meets real strategy
Coral Canyon delivers the region’s most compelling blend of scenery and strategy, using elevation, washes, and shot values to keep even experienced players on their toes. Recent restoration means firmer turf, better greens, and a more polished test—this is true ‘Color Country’ desert golf, worth the detour for any traveling golfer within reach.
Course DNA
Difficulty
75
Scenery88
Conditioning74
Shot Variety77
Walkability62
Green Complexity72
Wow Factor81
Design Quality76
At a glance
Quick facts
Elevation
Approx. 2,800 feet above sea level
Signature Terrain
Red rock cliffs, native washes
Annual Tournament
Coral Canyon Amateur (January)
Bermuda Grass Greens
Restored for 2024 season
Course Record
64, shot by Boston Bracken
Course Slope/Rating
74.3/137 (Black/Tournament tees)
Driving Range
Expansive, mountain backdrop
Host Hotel Proximity
Minutes from St. George resorts
The design
The architecture
Keith Foster’s vision for Coral Canyon centered on letting the drama of desert washes, mesas, and native landscape shape the holes—not imposing an artificial style. The layout knits together natural elevation swings and bold red sandstone outcrops with sweeping fairways and strategic green sites, rewarding players who think through angles and respect the wind. Post-restoration, the course reclaims its reputation as a true shotmaker’s test amid unforgettable Color Country scenery.
Foster's trademark is letting landscape dictate flow—at Coral Canyon, he achieves a desert course that is authentic, memorable, and uniquely Southern Utah.
Defining features
- Elevated tees with panoramic views
- Strategic use of native desert washes
- Restored, shapely bunkering (2024)
- Contoured, firm Bermuda greens
- Long, demanding par 4s and par 5s
- Risk/reward holes framed by red cliffs
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Red Cliffs Opener
PAR
5
YARDAGE
525 yds
A gutsy opening par 5 that sets an immediate tone for the round, with a generous landing area bordered by desert scrub and the red cliffs looming beyond. The long, slightly doglegging fairway rewards both position and power.
Play it smart
Favor the left center on your drive to open up the best angle for finding the green or a safe layup spot.
Where it bites
Stray too far right and you’ll encounter thick native brush, while going left brings bunkers and uneven lies into play.
Course management
Shots to think about
Opening tee shot—nerves and width
Aim left side for the widest fairway and resist temptation to over-power—get settled, then attack.
Par 5 layup or hero second
If you’re outside 240, lay up to your wedge number—desert trouble makes aggressive plays very costly.
Desert wind on mid-iron par 3s
Club up half a stick and trust center-green—you’ll rarely regret avoiding flag-hunting here.
Long par 4 drive
Take your drive over the inside corner but keep it short of native washes—over-cooking it brings double into play.
Approach to elevated green with firm turf
Plan for release—land it short or use run-up areas where available, especially with wind behind.
Scrambling from hardpan or desert waste
Use a more lofted club and commit to a steeper angle—don’t try the miracle flop.
Finishing hole under pressure
Stick with your stock shot shape; don’t get greedy. A two-putt par is usually a win here.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Firm, improved post-restoration turf and greens with real desert runout; occasional rough patches in transitional areas.
Pace
Average 4:15 – 4:30 round on busy days; faster in shoulder or morning blocks.
Vibe
Welcoming regional energy, serious golf with a relaxed desert-resort atmosphere.
Dress code
Standard golf attire: collared shirts, tailored shorts/pants; no denim.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Plan for elevation and wind
Shots play shorter at nearly 3,000 feet, but swirling breezes and fast turf mean distance and trajectory control are critical.
02
Bring the right footwear
Spikeless shoes or grippy soles recommended—there’s movement between firm grass, sand, and some rocky transitions.
03
Respect the sun and hydration
Layer up and pack water, especially in afternoon rounds; exposed desert sun is no joke.
04
Set realistic par goals
Play one tee forward—it’s longer than it looks and par is a solid score on most holes.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2001
Course opens, Keith Foster design debuts
- 2024
Course hosting Utah PGA Tour pre-qualifier
- 2025
25th anniversary celebrated with expanded amateur events
Stories & legends
What makes it special
The Comeback After the Storms
Devastating floods once battered Coral Canyon, leaving bunkers ragged and greens in decline, but years of focused restoration brought it roaring back, renewing its standing among Utah’s greats.
Gateway to Color Country
Played against a backdrop of the mighty red cliffs, Coral Canyon became the gateway course for golfers exploring Zion and Bryce Canyon—where the landscape is as bold as the shot values.
Toughest Par 5 Marathon
The legendary 5th hole, stretching to 615 yards, has humbled locals and visitors alike—cementing its status as one of the most fearsome desert par 5s in the West.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Course record 64 stood for over a decade until local amateur Boston Bracken shattered it in 2024.
2
Signature red rock bluffs and ridgelines inspired the routing’s name and key hole locations.
3
During post-2019 flood restoration, hundreds of truckloads of sand were imported to rebuild bunkers.
4
One of only a few Utah courses with year-round playable Bermuda greens.
Build the trip
If you're making a southern Utah golf pilgrimage
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Sand Hollow Resort – Championship
Public/Resort
Most dramatic red rock golf in the area, a bucket-list desert round
Ledges of St. George
Public
Strong value, big views, easy pairing with Coral Canyon
Sky Mountain Golf Course
Public
Fun, accessible, and scenic option for all handicaps
Entrada at Snow Canyon
Private
Exclusive, top-end play if you have access
Black Desert Resort
Public/Resort
New, headline-making Tom Weiskopf modern design
Stay in St. George or Washington for best central access to all the major courses, with Hurricane as a secondary value play.
Course DNA
If You Like Coral Canyon Golf Course
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.2
The Homestead Resort - Cascades
Hot Springs, VirginiaScenery
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. The Homestead Resort - Cascades shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Coral Canyon Golf Course.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Snake River Sporting Club
Jackson, WyomingScenery
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Snake River Sporting Club shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Coral Canyon Golf Course.
Strong DNA Match8.7
Bandon Dunes
Bandon, OregonScenery
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in Bandon Dunes's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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