Black is the New Green

Black Desert Resort is Utah’s Newest Natural Wonder
Talk about making a splash. Within 12 months of opening its golf course on May 27, 2023, Black Desert Resort caused a tidal wave in the arid, basalt-studded terrain of southwestern Utah. It started in July 2023 with trumpets blaring: Black Desert would host the PGA Tour in the fall of 2024 — and host the LPGA Tour in spring 2025.
Next came the awards, including “No. 1 golf course in Utah” in Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play” state rankings in June 2024. The final salvo centers on the resort itself — which has wowed in the preview period ahead of an expected early 2025 grand opening. The initial impression? Black Desert Resort is a game-changer in the western U.S.
OVERWHELMING THE SENSES
Located in suburban Ivins, nine miles northwest of downtown St. George, Black Desert Resort is the new anchor tenant in one of the fastest-growing residential and vacation destinations in America. One recent study placed St. George eighth for population increase from 2017 to 2022.
St. George Mayor Michele Randall cited economic opportunities, scenic beauty, a mild winter climate and friendly, helpful and optimistic residents as factors in the growth spurt. Each aspect contributed to the creation of Black Desert Resort, but unquestionably, it’s the stunning scenery that captivates from the get-go.
A kaleidoscope of rocks, cliffs and mountains greets visitors to St. George, which has long been renowned as the gateway to two legendary hiking and climbing destinations, Zion National Park (30 minutes) and Bryce Canyon National Park (two hours). As the sun changes positions, the color wheel flourishes, with showcase hues that include dusty pinks, brick reds, cocoa browns and vanilla whites. These days, however, it’s black and green that act as color magnets.

Black Desert Resort is the new anchor tenant in one of the fastest-growing residential and vacation destinations in America.
Black Desert marked the final championship course in the design career of Tom Weiskopf, who succumbed to cancer in August 2022 at age 79. As an architect, Weiskopf was esteemed for crafting attractive, playable courses replete with risk/reward options. Notably, he introduced the now de rigueur concept of the drivable par 4, an idea that came to him while competing in the 1970 British Open at St Andrews. All those hallmarks define his design at Black Desert.
Weiskopf and lead architect Phil Smith routed the 7,417-yard, par-72 layout through striking black lava rock, called basalt, that originated as lava flow from regional volcanoes eons ago. Because the rock that brackets the fairways is so rugged and unforgiving when it comes to potential recovery shots, the architects wisely established vast, forgiving landing areas, many 70 to 100 yards wide to accommodate every class of player.
Those gorgeous green bentgrass ribbons twisting through the black lava rock instill a compelling aesthetic. Combine the green and black with the brilliant white bunkers and red sandstone monoliths that frame many holes, and it nearly overwhelms the senses.
KONA MEETS SEDONA
“Black Desert is a truly a special place,” said Weiskopf before the course opened. “The beautiful red rock backdrops remind me of Sedona (Arizona).”
Weiskopf and Smith also had ample experience designing courses in Hawaii, so they were not unfamiliar with carving fairways from lava. As Smith astutely noted about Black Desert, “It’s like Kona meets Sedona.”
While the contrasts between green, black, white and red are undeniably visually dazzling, it’s the variety and shot values that elevate the course to must-play status. Weiskopf installed his signature drivable par-4 twice, one on each nine, the first at the 350 yard fifth, the second at the 326-yard 14th. While those distances may seem daunting, the dry air at 2,800 feet of elevation yields a
few extra yards. Those holes are far from the only standouts.
The fun begins at the roomy, 493-yard, par-4 opener. Definitely pause when you reach the green, as a glorious panorama awaits in every direction. Re-focus quickly, however, because the 418-yard, par-4 second is a wake-up call that there is serious golf on hand at Black Desert. One of Weiskopf’s favorite holes, No. 2 plunges five stories as it arcs to the right and serves up a boomerang-shaped double green jabbed into a lava field, a dance floor that doubles as the target at the 156-yard, par-3 eighth.
More downhill adventure arrives at the 196-yard, par-3 third, which sports a pot bunker in the middle of the putting surface — Weiskopf’s homage to the sixth at Riviera. What follows is the toughest hole on the course, a brutish, lava-laced, 490-yard par 4 with a fairway that narrows by half at the 175-yard mark from the green.
Don’t think that all that lava rock is unduly penal, either. During my first round at Black Desert, three of my misfires wound up on turf after agreeable ricochets. Let’s just say the course got even with me when I returned the next day.
As enjoyable as the first 15 holes are, the boldest exclamation point is reserved for the par-4 16th, which measures 508 yards from the tournament tees. It’s the rare hole that maximizes both challenge and beauty in an unforgettable package. In its early stages, it was draped atop a plateau, but in the final version, Weiskopf lowered it to zigzag through a massive canyon enveloped in lava rock, which also yielded an in-your-face view of aptly named Red Mountain.
Smith calls the sprawling bunker that patrols the right-front of the green, “ginormous,” but even right-side hole locations are accessible thanks to a helpful slope on the left side.
OPEN TO ALL
Hole out at 18 and more golf fun beckons, in the form of a two-acre, 36-hole lighted putting course. Developer Reef Capital Partners took two decades to script and finalize the offerings at Black Desert Resort and their thoughtful deliberations are on full display this autumn. In mid-October, 447 luxury guestrooms and suites opened, along with 45,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting and event space, five food and beverage spots, pools and hot tubs and access to six miles of hiking trails.
Patrick Manning, Managing Partner of Black Desert Resort, knows that his golf course is a powerful draw, but that the resort amenities must be equally compelling to elevate the property to the top rung.
“Experiencing a round at Black Desert Resort feels like playing on a private course, yet we take pride in being a resort that is open to all,” said Manning. “The enthusiastic response to our golf course since its opening just over a year ago reflects our dedication to excellence. The stunning black lava that frames our fairways, along with the breathtaking red rock backdrop, creates an extraordinary atmosphere, and we are committed to making the entire resort experience equally memorable.”
Indeed, when Black Desert formally opens in spring 2025, another 344 rooms and suites will join the existing accommodations, making the property the largest resort in Utah. Also on tap are two additional restaurants and beverage outlets, as well as a 15,000-square-foot destination spa and wellness center, fashioned by celebrated spa designer Sylvia Sepielli.
Pair those creature comforts with Tom Weiskopf’s final championship design — one that will test both the PGA and LPGA Tours — and in Vegas parlance, it’s abundantly clear: Bet on the Black. ▪
For more information: BlackDesertResort.com