Black Diamond Golf Course

Black Diamond Golf Course sits in the Nenana River valley near Healy, Alaska, roughly ten miles north of the entrance to Denali National Park. Designed by Frank Talerico and opened in the mid-1990s, the course occupies a dramatic setting with views of the Alaska Range and, on clear days, Denali itself. The layout takes advantage of the subarctic landscape, with fairways routed through boreal forest and across rolling terrain shaped by glacial activity. The property's elevation and northern latitude create distinctive playing conditions, including extended daylight during summer months and firm, fast turf. The routing works through stands of spruce and birch, with several holes offering open vistas toward the surrounding mountains. Natural elevation changes provide strategic interest, and the design incorporates the existing topography rather than heavy earthmoving. Water features appear on select holes, fed by snowmelt and seasonal drainage patterns typical of the region. The course operates during Alaska's brief golf season, roughly late May through early September, when temperatures moderate and the ground thaws sufficiently for play. Black Diamond serves both locals from the Healy-Denali area and visitors traveling the Parks Highway corridor. The facility maintains a straightforward, accessible character suited to its remote location and seasonal operation. For golfers passing through Alaska's interior, it offers a functional layout in a setting defined more by wilderness proximity than architectural refinement.