Salish Cliffs Golf Club at Little Creek Casino Resort Set to Open

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(SHELTON, WA) - The highly anticipated unveiling of the brand new Salish Cliffs Golf Club - the latest amenity of the Squaxin Island Tribe's Little Creek Casino Resort - is imminent with an opening date likely coming next month.

"We're thrilled Salish Cliffs is ready for play and we look forward to opening what we strongly believe will be one of the best golf experiences in the country," said Salish Cliff's Head Professional David Kass, PGA.

Located within a short drive from Olympia and Seattle, Salish Cliffs Golf Club is a par-72, 7,269-yard championship layout providing an intimate setting with 16 of 18 holes encircled by lush forestry.

Salish Cliffs was created by golf-course architect Gene Bates and rolls through natural vegetation and rock facings. The course boasts 360-degree views of the Kamilche Valley and dramatic elevation changes, including the par-4 12th hole with a tee box that sits on the property's apex, some 650 feet above sea level.

All 18 holes and the driving range/practice facility feature T1 bentgrass turf. The log and cedar clubhouse - which reflects the style and structure of Little Creek Casino Resort - sits next to a deep ravine and its wrap-around porch and mezzanine will overlook hole Nos. 9 and 18, which share a 15,000-foot green. The clubhouse also plans to include a full-service golf shop and restaurant.

Salish Cliffs has five sets of tees. The black "tips" received a rating/slope of 74.6/137 from the USGA while the 5,313-yard forward tees come in with a 70.7 rating and 125 slope.

With the expected late summer opening, head superintendent Bob Pearsall and his staff aerated the Salish Cliffs greens in early July, instead of waiting for September, a plan most area courses utilize.

"The greens are already nearly fully recovered and we expect them to be in pristine condition through the remainder of the golf season," said Pearsall, a native of Olympia who has hired last summer and played a major role in the course's grow-in.

Another local addition to the golf team is assistant golf professional Chris Koch, who grew up in nearby Lacey, Wash. The 28-year-old graduate of Western Washington University began his new position in June after spending the last five seasons at Ko Olina Golf Club in Oahu, Hawaii.

"The opportunity to come home and be part of a brand new golf course of this caliber made this an easy decision," said Koch, who will give lessons at Salish Cliffs and plans to integrate a junior program similar to the one he directed in Hawaii. "I'm excited to be part of a team that will do everything in its power to help Salish Cliffs become a world-class golf facility."

Salish Cliffs Golf Club sits adjacent to Little Creek Casino Resort, which recently completed a hotel expansion and an enhancement of the casino floor. Owned and operated by the Squaxin Island Tribe, Little Creek Casino Resort features nearly 190 luxurious, well-appointed rooms and more than 1,000 slots and table games.

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SilverLeaf Financial Takes Over Private Pine Canyon Club

(FLAGSTAFF, AZ) -- SilverLeaf Financial announced Aug. 4 that Loan Tree Investments LLC has chosen to exercise their option to put the Flagstaff, Ariz., Pine Canyon project over to SilverLeaf. The Utah-based private equity firm is making preparations to fulfill their obligations of the agreement.

Shane Baldwin, a principal of SilverLeaf, said: "We are enthusiastic about this opportunity and want to assure the residents, members and staff of Pine Canyon that they will continue to see and experience the same standards of excellence Pine Canyon has always experienced. Pine Canyon is a unique place and we are committed to preserving and improving its facilities and amenities for families, golfers and private residents for many years to come."

Baldwin expressed his assurance that the highly acclaimed Jay Morrish-designed golf course and community will continue to operate as usual and without interruptions or major changes, demonstrating SilverLeaf's focus on retaining the development's high level of excellence.

When Pine Canyon opened in 2005, it was ranked one of the top ten new courses in America by Golf Digest.

"We are confident you will see Pine Canyon prosper, grow its membership and continue to be one of America's premier developments, as we are committed to this project long term," said Baldwin.

Baldwin also expressed his appreciation to club's previous leaders, including Pine Canyon's President of Operations, Warren Smith.

"They have done an exceptional job with Pine Canyon," Baldwin said. "The community's diverse amenities offer the residents an assortment of first-class activities to enjoy. They have assembled a friendly, enthusiastic and professional staff making the residents and guests feel comfortable and well taken care of."

Baldwin said that moving forward he is excited to get to know the staff and participating in many of the activities the community has to offer. The effective date of the agreement is November 7, 2011. However SilverLeaf anticipates closing on or before Aug 30th.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, SilverLeaf Financial focuses on acquiring non-performing commercial loans secured by first position trust deeds. These assets are acquired from the FDIC, banks, special servicers and other financial institutions for the purpose of future monetization.

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