Jug Mountain Ranch — The Mountain Test for Men’s Amateur

Jug Mountain Ranch

Just southeast of McCall, beneath the watchful rise of Jughandle Mountain, Jug Mountain Ranch stands out as one of Idaho’s most dramatic golf venues. The par-72 layout stretches to just over 7,300 yards from the tips, a demanding test routed through forested ridges, open meadows, and wetlands that catch errant shots. Designed by Donald Knott, the course feels like it was carved into the land rather than built upon it.

For the 2025 Men’s Amateur, Jug required both power and restraint. Narrow landing areas, creek crossings, and multi-tiered elevation changes made every tee shot a decision point. Some players tried to overpower it; others relied on precision. Only those who balanced the two left McCall with a chance at the title.

Among Idaho golfers, Jug carries both reverence and a hint of intimidation. To host the Men’s Amateur confirmed its place as a true championship stage — a “destination round” that now has championship prestige stitched into its fairways.

BanBury Golf Course — The Mid-Am Classic in the Valley

BanBury

Closer to Boise, BanBury Golf Course has long been a cornerstone of the state’s competitive circuit. A public-access course that plays just under 6,900 yards, BanBury winds through wetlands and the South Channel of the Boise River, with water in play on many of its holes.

The 2025 Mid-Amateur reminded players why BanBury is such a respected test: it’s not about length, but about choices. Approach angles are critical, and the river’s presence means missed shots are rarely forgiven. Local golfers often describe BanBury as a course that “bites back” — where a single mistake can unravel a solid round.

For a public course, hosting the Mid-Am is a point of pride. It shows that BanBury remains more than a local favorite; it’s a proving ground where seasoned players must rely on patience, planning, and precision.

Canyon Springs — The Canyon Crown for Women’s Amateur & Mid-Am

Canyon Springs

Few Idaho courses are as visually striking as Canyon Springs. Set deep in the Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls, the course plays just under 6,100 yards (par 72) and strings together holes that hug cliffs, cross streams, and climb windswept ridges.

In 2025, Canyon Springs became the heartbeat of women’s golf in Idaho by hosting both the Women’s Amateur and Women’s Mid-Am on the same weekend. The result was a festival atmosphere, with players and fans treated to golf played against one of the most dramatic backdrops in the state. The canyon winds turned routine swings into adventures, while the scenery turned every hole into a stage.

For the club, the double hosting spotlight underscored its dual identity: part scenic treasure, part stern championship venue. Canyon Springs showed it is more than a beautiful walk — it’s a place where nerves and execution are tested in equal measure.

Juniper Hills Country Club — The Senior’s Uphill Battle

Juniper Hills

In Pocatello, Juniper Hills Country Club sits in the rolling Portneuf Valley, a par-71 layout just over 6,100 yards from the back tees. On the scorecard it looks short, but in reality it plays much bigger. Narrow corridors, subtle doglegs, and greens that seem to tilt away at the worst possible moments give the course its bite.

The Portneuf River crosses several holes, adding both beauty and risk. The par-5 11th forces players to plot every shot, while the closing hole — a short but tight par-4 — demands precision from tee to green when the nerves are highest.

In 2025, the Senior Amateur field discovered that Juniper Hills rewards experience and patience more than power. For the club, hosting was a moment of pride. It brought statewide recognition to a course that has long been a hub for the local golf community, and it gave its members a front-row seat to see their home course tested by the state’s best senior amateurs.

Weaving a Narrative of Diversity & Identity

Taken together, these four venues showcase the diversity of Idaho golf — and why the IGA’s 2025 season felt like a journey across the state’s landscapes.

• Elevation & exposure (Jug Mountain) forced players to master golf at altitude.
• River corridor risk (BanBury & Juniper Hills) tested patience with water-lined holes and punishing angles.
• Canyon spectacle & wind (Canyon Springs) delivered theater and nerves in equal measure.
• Accessibility (BanBury, Canyon Springs) proved that public golf can host championship-level events.

Each stop was not just about crowning a champion, but about honoring the identity of the venue itself. For Jug, BanBury, Canyon, and Juniper, hosting was an affirmation of their place in Idaho’s competitive golf history.

Where Champions & Courses Converge

In 2025, Idaho’s amateur season was not merely about scorecards or trophies. It was about place — and about the names now tied to those landscapes.

• In the Men’s Amateur at Jug Mountain Ranch, Cole Rueck claimed the 97th title with a 10-under total, finishing four strokes clear of the field.
• In the Men’s Mid-Amateur at BanBury Golf Course, Kevin Murphy delivered a dominant performance, shooting 20-under par to win by 17 strokes.
• In the Women’s Amateur at Canyon Springs, Carly Carter captured the crown by seven strokes, while in the Women’s Mid-Amateur at Canyon Springs, Felicia Medalla-Kennedy secured her title with a five-shot margin.
• In the Senior Amateur at Juniper Hills Country Club, three champions emerged: Melinda Howard won the Senior Women’s division at 11-over across three rounds (a four-stroke victory); Bret Rupert claimed the Senior Men’s title at 3-over, winning by six; and Curt Thomsen edged the Super Senior division with an 18-over total, winning by a single stroke.

These four stages — Jug, BanBury, Canyon, and Juniper — did more than host tournaments. They defined them. And for the courses, the legacy of hosting now intertwines not just with landscapes but with champions whose names will carry forward into Idaho golf history.

And fittingly for the Gem State, the 2025 amateur season was defined by gems of its own — courses that now sparkle a little brighter, having proven their worth as championship crucibles and hidden treasures in Idaho’s golfing landscape.