The Bigwood Story
A Ketchum Original Since 1971
Before Bigwood was a golf course, it was a runway, where pilots would land directly on the valley floor. Before it was Timbers Restaurant, it was a Holiday Inn. This little stretch of Ketchum has been many things over the years, but it's always been a key part of the local fabric.
How It Started
Bigwood Golf Course opened in 1971, designed by renowned golf architect Robert Muir Graves. Two years later, in 1973, a Holiday Inn opened its doors right where Timbers stands today. The Holiday Inn brought a mix of out-of-towners and locals through its doors, with a coffee shop, lounge, and live music keeping things lively. Over the years, the onsite restaurant and lounge cycled through several identities, including Coy's Mining Company and the Saddle Mountain Feed Company.
The Alpenrose & Residential Development Era
In 1979, the hotel was rebranded as the Alpenrose by Norman and Judi Fuller. Their goal was to build something that could go toe-to-toe with the Sun Valley Lodge — high-end Continental cuisine at Les Saisons, plus a 56-seat movie theater where you could order drinks via bedside-style telephones.
Though the Alpenrose closed in the '80s, Bigwood Golf continued to be the go-to destination in the Wood River Valley to golf and gather. A major residential development took shape around the course through the '80s and '90s.
The late '90s and early '00s brought the Thunder Spring development, reportedly the largest commercial construction project in Idaho at the time. The golf clubhouse was moved to its current location during this era, and the new space included room for a seasonal summer restaurant. The Bigwood Grill quickly became the social hub at the course, holding that role for over fifteen years before closing in 2022.
What's Here Now
In 2024, Lyndsay and Christopher Lyle purchased the course and began a complete revitalization. The first priority was the golf — staying true to the original Graves design with new irrigation, rebuilt greens, and reworked bunkers in partnership with Boise golf architect David Druzisky.
Then came the dining. Construction on Timbers and Birdie's Snack Shack kicked off in 2025, built to bring back the community spirit that's defined this land since the days of the old airstrip. Timbers opens to the public in 2026 with a world-class team and a simple goal: great food, great memories, and a place you'll want to come back to. Whether you're walking off the course or just stopping in for a sunset dinner, you're welcome here.
The Team
Matt Robinson
General Manager
Taite Pearson
Culinary Director
Tevin Miller
Kitchen Manager
Lyndsay & Christopher Lyle
Owners