There are incredible golf courses, but also incredible golf experiences. HAS Golf Week, we constantly argue about which one is more important and at what level each should be considered. Our rankingswhich are among the most respected in the industry, are primarily architecture-based, but the experience seems remarkable nonetheless.
For example, some staff members don’t care much about the Torrey Pines layout, but I contend that when you stand on the third tee of the South Course, a strong Pacific breeze hitting your face and several paragliders hanging over Black’s Beach, it’s a moment you won’t soon forget. Of course, there is better golf architecture elsewhere, but the experience is clearly special.
Skeet shooting at Mountain Sky Ranch near Bozeman, Montana.
And for anyone lucky enough to play Rising Sun Golf Course, just beyond Yellowstone National Park near Bozeman, Montana, it’s an experience etched deep into their memory.
Imagine a sanctuary where wild Western charm meets refined indulgence: Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, the personal paradise of Arthur Blank, visionary entrepreneur and owner of Home Depot, the Atlanta Falcons and the TGL Atlanta Drive Franchise. Nestled in Montana’s beautiful Paradise Valley along the Yellowstone River, this enclave offers a rare blend of authenticity and elegance.
Jon McCarthy, Tim Schmitt, Shaun Tolson and Robert Rodriguez at Mountain Sky Ranch near Bozeman, Montana.
Blank first discovered Mountain Sky as a guest, fell under its spell, and eventually made it his own. Far from the usual murmurs of discontent that accompany high-profile acquisitions, residents are praising Blank’s management. His commitment to preserving the soul of the valley has earned him admiration – and even encouragement to expand his footprint – as every property he touches seems to stay true to its heritage.
For those who crave the romance of ranch life without sacrificing sophistication, Mountain Sky offers an experience like no other. Guests trade city noise for serene vistas and curated adventures: clay pigeon shooting at dawn, fly fishing in crystal clear waters, horseback riding through wildflower meadows, invigorating hikes and restorative spa treatments. The cabins are luxuriously appointed, but the lack of cell service and limited Wi-Fi access in the shared lodge guarantee a rare gift: total immersion in the rhythm of nature.
Amazing views at Mountain Sky Ranch near Bozeman, Montana. Even from the bathtub.
My stay? Quite indulgent. I was staying in a beautiful five-bedroom lodge with roommates like Brandel and Bailey Chamblee, who turned their visit into podcast gold. The piece de resistance? Our residence once served as Arthur Blank’s summer retreat – a detail that underscores Mountain Sky’s pedigree of exclusivity. Since then, he has built an even grander mecca on the street.
The daily schedule of events at Mountain Sky is almost overwhelming. Morning hike? I did it. Clay pigeon shooting? We put some on before lunch. Horse riding? There is a horse for every level. In fact, since I’m quite a newbie, with less than a dozen rides under my belt, I was assigned a sweet older soul named Heinz. At first I thought it was because of the way he was walking around slowly, using anticipation to keep me waiting. I quickly realized it was because of the nauseating noises he was making almost constantly along the trail. It really wasn’t a big deal to me, but my sincerest apologies to those waiting in line behind us on the trail.
A cabin at Mountain Sky Ranch near Bozeman, Montana.
There’s a feeling of something else when you’re in a place like Mountain Sky, not only because of the wild beauty, but also because there’s no hiding. Groups eat together, play together, swim together, and occasionally play golf together.
As for the golf course, it opens with a solid, if largely unspectacular, front nine. Again, the experience is special with views of the neighboring Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges. Elevation changes are minimal and the course is well maintained, considering the size of the small staff led by head professional Mike Petersen, who has made Rising Sky a family affair with his wife Jodi working in retail while his son Taylor helps out as assistant superintendent.
Writer Jon McCarthy, Brandel and Bailey Chamblee, Elena Cizmaric of AMB West, Robert Rodriguez and Tim Schmitt at Mountain Sky Ranch near Bozeman, Montana.
And while there are some good holes on the front end it’s certainly an interesting test, it’s after the turn where the magic really happens. After initially designing the front nine, Utah-born Miller returned to create a second nine on incredible mountain terrain that is a true test.
And the views. Did I mention the views?
Amazing view of the Rising Sun Golf Course at Mountain Sky Ranch near Bozeman, Montana.
The stretch from 15th to 17th offers some of the best you will see on any golf course. The 15th hole has an elevated tee and a shot left one at the base of a cliff, which happened to one member of my foursome. He set off on his journey to rejoin the group about 12 minutes and hundreds of steps later. Our hosts kept apologizing for the wildfires that clogged the area, but even though they insisted it led to marginalized views, I thought it just made the experience more ethereal.
Rising Sun short course area at Mountain Sky Ranch near Bozeman, Montana.
And as for the experience, since Rising Sun is part of the Mountain Sky resort, only a handful of tee times are reserved each day. The first afternoon we were there, a staff member joked that we were going to give him “a double-digit player count.” A duo was waiting for our foursome to tee off, but when we asked them if they would like to play, they respectfully declined, explaining that it was the first time either of them had been to a golf course.
Rising Sun is one of the best golf courses in Montana. Although its national reputation is still budding, the combination of its layout and the Mountain Sky property offers a truly unparalleled experience.
This article was originally published on Golfweek: Arthur Blank’s Montana Ranch Ranks High in 2025
