The Southwest’s largest ski resort management company is taking on a new venture: golf. This week, Mountain Capital Partners announced its purchase of Silver Creek Golf Course, which includes oversight of the neighboring Bison Golf Club. Both courses are located in Show Low, Arizona.
Separated by less than 20 miles in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, the Silver Creek Golf Club and Bison Golf Club share ties to PGA Golf Pro Lloyd Harvey. Silver Creek was formerly owned and operated by Harvey, and he also operated Bison Golf Club. Moving forward, Harvey will remain as a consultant and General Manager at Silver Creek.
“My appreciation to each and every member and customer cannot be overstated,” Harvey said. “I’m very excited to step into this new era for both courses and the fun we’re going to have as a team.”
This new venture marks the first time MCP has taken on golf operations. The Durango-based ski resort management company, with offices in Phoenix, owns and operates nine resorts in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest – including Purgatory, Hesperus and Flagstaff’s Arizona Snowbowl. In January, MCP announced it would become the majority owner of the Valle Nevado ski resort in Santiago, Chile, the largest ski resort in the Americas and the company’s first international resort.
While the terrain on the links is new to MCP, the best practices learned through the company’s more than 20 years of resort experience will still apply, said Kuzi Mutsiwegota, MCP’s managing partner of golf operations.
“Silver Creek and Bison are already great courses, and we’re eager to elevate both the daily and destination golf experience in Slow Low and the White Mountains region,” Mutsiwegota said. “There are tremendous synergies between ski resorts and golf clubs, and we couldn’t be happier to expand our offerings to another year-round, outdoor adventure.”
Silver Creek Golf Club was designed by Gary Panks. It’s currently the only year-round golf course open in the White Mountains. In addition to the course, Silver Creek Golf Club includes a pro shop, restaurant, a driving range, lakeside patio and a 19th hole bet-settling par 3. The course is a par 71 and from the tips it is 6,813 yards with a 136 slope rating.
Bison Golf Club was originally designed by golf course architect Jack Snyder, but redesigned by PGA Tour star Billy Mayfair in 2006. Bison is open seasonally from spring to fall. In addition to the 18-hole golf course, Bison Golf Club property includes a pro shop, driving range and a brand new restaurant. The course is a 71 par and from the tees, the longest yard is 6,413 yards with a 120 slope rating.
Both public golf courses also offer memberships.
Mutsiwegota said Mountain Capital Partners is committed to elevating the guest experience at both golf clubs.
“Arizona is home to us, and we are thrilled to now be a part of the Show Low community,” he said. “We have a true love for the game of golf, and we’re eager to share that – and our passion for recreating in these mountains – with both new and seasoned players.”
