Clifton Highlands opened in 1978 as a stand-alone golf course rather than part of a real estate development. Its 18-hole, par-72 championship course was designed by Dr. Gordon Emerson and plays to 6,644 yards from the back tees. A separate par-3 course was later designed by Garrett Gill with input from Emerson. The club sits above the St. Croix River Valley near Prescott.