Johnny Miller’s Rising Sun in Montana has spectacular views
Rising Sun’s second nine opened at Arthur Blank’s Mountain Sky Ranch in 2018.
- Rising Sun Golf Course is part of Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, a private Montana property owned by Arthur Blank.
- The ranch offers a luxury experience with activities like fly fishing, horseback riding, and skeet shooting.
- While the front nine of the golf course is solid, the back nine is considered more spectacular due to its mountain terrain.
- The overall experience at the course is enhanced by views of the Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges.
There are incredible golf courses, and then there are incredible golf experiences. At Golfweek, we’re constantly bickering about which is more important and to what level each should be considered. Our rankings, which are some of the most respected in the industry, are primarily based on architecture, but the experience still seems noteworthy.
Case in point, some staffers don’t care much for the layout at Torrey Pines, but I contend that when you’re standing on the South Course’s third tee, a stiff Pacific breeze smacking your face and multiple paragliders hanging above Black’s Beach, it’s a moment you won’t soon forget. Sure, there’s better golf architecture elsewhere, but the experience is clearly special.
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 in their memory.
Imagine a sanctuary where rugged 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 Atlanta Drive TGL franchise. Nestled in Montana’s breathtaking Paradise Valley along the Yellowstone River, this enclave offers a rare blend of authenticity and elegance.
Blank first discovered Mountain Sky as a guest, fell under its spell, and ultimately made it his own. Far from the usual whispers of discontent that accompany high-profile acquisitions, locals praise Blank’s stewardship. His commitment to preserving the valley’s soul has earned admiration — and even encouragement to expand his footprint — because every property he touches seems to remain true to its heritage.
For those who crave the romance of ranch life without sacrificing sophistication, Mountain Sky delivers an experience unlike any other. Guests trade city noise for serene horizons and curated adventure: skeet shooting at dawn, fly fishing in crystalline waters, horseback rides through wildflower meadows, invigorating hikes, and restorative spa treatments. Cabins are luxuriously appointed, yet the absence of cell service and limited Wi-Fi access in the communal lodge ensures a rare gift — complete immersion in nature’s rhythm.
My stay? Utterly indulgent. I was ensconced in a striking five-bedroom lodge with housemates like Brandel and Bailey Chamblee, who transformed their visit into podcast gold. The pièce de résistance? Our residence once served as Arthur Blank’s own summer retreat — a detail that underscores Mountain Sky’s pedigree of exclusivity. He’s since built an even grander mecca up the street.
The daily schedule of events at Mountain Sky is almost overwhelming. Morning hike? Did it. Skeet shooting? We squeezed some in before lunch. Horseback riding? There’s a horse for every level. In fact, since I’m something of a novice, with fewer than a dozen rides under my belt, I was assigned a sweet older soul named Heinz. I originally thought it was because of the way he slowly sauntered, using anticipation to make me wait. I soon realized it was for the foul noises he made almost incessantly along the trail. It really wasn’t a big deal for me, but my sincerest apologies to those behind us in line on the trail.
There’s a sense of something else when you’re in a place like Mountain Sky, not only because of the rugged beauty, but because there’s no hiding. Groups eat together, play together, swim together, and on occasion, 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 throughout. The elevation changes are minimal and the course is well-kept, considering the size of the tiny staff under head pro Mike Petersen, who has made Rising Sky a family affair with his wife Jodi working in retail while his son Taylor helps as an assistant superintendent.
And while there are some good holes on the front, it’s certainly a worthwhile test, after the turn is where the magic really happens. After originally designing the opening nine, Utah-born Miller came back to craft a second nine up and down incredible mountain terrain that poses a true test.
And the views. Have I mentioned the views?
The stretch from 15 through 17 offers some of the best you’ll see on any golf course. The 15th hole has an elevated tee and a pulled shot leaves one at the bottom of a cliff, which happened to one member of my foursome. He left on a journey only to link back up with the group about 12 minutes and hundreds of steps later. Our hosts kept apologizing for wildfires that clogged up the region, but while they insisted this led to marginalized views, I thought it simply made the experience more ethereal.
And as for the experience part of this, since Rising Sun is part of the Mountain Sky complex, only a handful of tee times are booked each day. The first afternoon we were on site, a staffer joked that we were going to put him “over double digits in players.” A twosome was waiting for our foursome to depart, but when we asked if they’d like to play through they respectfully declined, explaining that this was the first time one of the two had ever been on a golf course.
Rising Sun stands among Montana’s premier golf courses. While its national reputation is still emerging, the combination of its layout and the Mountain Sky property delivers an experience that is truly unmatched.
