Golf guide, may 25, 2018

MEASURING MORE THAN 7,000 YARDS, THE INLAND NORTHWEST’S DREAM GOLF COURSE REQUIRES SKILL, ROUGHLY 460 MILES ON THE ROAD AND A WHOLE LOT OF IMAGINATION. PAGE 6

INSIDE PUTTING AROUND THE PALOUSE: 27 HOLES IN WHITMAN COUNTY

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PLACE TO TEE IT UP?

COLUMN: PICKING ‘DREAM 18’ NO WALK IN THE PARK

In a 150-mile loop from Spokane, golfers can experience a trio of nine-hole courses that show the spirit of small-town golf.

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Our extensive course listing has everything you need to know from prices to contact info and more for courses around the region.

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Jim Meehan and four area club pros had to make several difficult choices in building their dream course.

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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

MAY 25, 2018

GOLF

The green of the risk-reward second hole at the Tekoa Golf Club is surrounded by wheat fields.

PHOTOS BY MADISON MCCORD/S-R

Trio of nine-hole courses in Whitman County makes for memorable day trip

By Madison McCord

Course facts

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hen it comes to desirable golf road trips, a three-course, 27-hole stretch between St. John, Colfax and Tekoa may not be the thing that comes to mind – but it should be on every area golfer’s to-do list.

Although the trio of tracks can’t be described as golf’s toughest test, visitors of all experience levels can enjoy the courses and see a part of the state often associated with growing wheat and lentils, not fairways and greens.

St. John Golf & Country Club Cost: $18 (all-day play walking), cash or card accepted.

Par: 35.

Yardage: 2,770 (white tees).

Rating/slope: 66.2/108.

Photo-worthy hole: Opening tee shot with course’s imposing signature tree in the middle of the fairway.

Colfax Golf Club Cost: $16 (nine holes walking), cash or card accepted.

Par: 35.

Yardage: 3,010.

Rating/slope: 68.0/120.

Photo-worthy hole: The Palouse River runs alongside the tee box of the short par-3 third hole.

Tekoa Golf Club

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Coming from Spokane, the day starts with a “choose your own adventure” decision on the way to the St. John Golf & Country Club – take the two-turn route through Steptoe and then into St. John, or turn off at Plaza and hope the GPS is set early before cell service is lost no more than five minutes off I-195.

With the latter choice, tight and winding roads lead you through towns like Malden and Pine City as scenery changes from evergreen trees to farmland several times before descending down a large hill into St. John.

The fairway and green of the third hole is the first thing you’ll see going this route, followed by the first two holes and finally a hand-cut metal sign that leads to the parking lot. After finding a safe and outof-the-way place to park, it’s off to the clubhouse, where you’re greeted by a volunteer course host who takes your $18, hands you a

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The Palouse River runs alongside the third tee box at the Colfax Golf Club. scorecard and points you to the opening tee box.

As far as the difficulty of the three courses goes, St. John ranks as the most scorable – but that doesn’t mean it’s clear of danger.

The tee shot on the 267yard, par-4 first opens up to an airstrip-wide fairway, but perfectly placed in line with the green is the course’s signature behemoth, 80-foot-tall tree, patiently waiting to eat up the straightest of shots.

Challenges also await players on the 485-yard, par-5 third hole, which snakes to the right and then sharply to the left, making it a tough hole to reach in two without a pair of perfect shots. The right side of the fairway is also lined with a creek, the only water on the course.

After the opening three

holes, you realize that there’s no more than a few feet of elevation gain or loss on the entire course, making it an ideal walking track.

Along with being flat, the remaining holes are also relatively straight, with well-maintained fairways and friendly rough. The trick down the stretch is sinking anything with the flatstick. Putts on almost every green have a tricky read, but roll very true.

The closing three holes are a series of par 4s running beside each other.

They’re arguably the three most scorable holes on the course, especially the short 280-yard ninth.

After adding up the scorecard and quick “thank you” to the course host, it’s

See PALOUSE, 3

Cost: $12 (nine holes walking).

Par: 35.

Yardage: 2,550.

Rating/slope: 64.5/109.

Photo-worthy hole: Fields surround the second green, a risk-reward uphill par 4.

Mon. & Thurs 2 FOR 1 with an 18 hole cart rental Wednesdays $5 OFF when you book online New Sunset Rates on Weekends & Holiday after 3pm

Come out for Family Fun! Short Course for Kids

Children play free with paid adult Monday - Friday and after 11am on weekends Visit www.deerparkgolf.com for daily specials & discounts.

509-276-5912

ORTHWEST 22nd Annual GOLF CARS Good Sam Scramble Sales • Service • Rental

Spring

SPECIALS on New Gas or Electric Golf Cars

Authorized

Dealer

www.northwestgolfcars.com • 7001 East Trent • Spokane • (509) 328-5838

Friday, August 17, 2018 The Highlands Golf Course Post Falls, Idaho

Post game dinner.

Great team, contest, door prizes & raffles.

11:30 Registration 1:30 pm. Shotgun Start For more information or to pre-register, please contact Claudia Ouwerkerk at 509-924-6161 or couwerke@good-sam.com

All faiths or beliefs are welcome. 10-G1948

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PHOTOS BY MADISON MCCORD/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Just 45 minutes from Spokane, the St. John Golf & Country Club is approachable for all skill levels.

PALOUSE Continued from 2 back onto I-195 – this time going through Steptoe before completing the 40-minute drive to Colfax.

A large tree in the middle of the first fairway at the St. John Golf & Country Club could punish players hitting a straight drive.

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The location of the Colfax Golf Club couldn’t be better for those wanting to avoid the 25-milesper-hour limit through the middle of town – a speed limit etched into the minds of most anyone who has spent time in Pullman.

If hunger is calling after the stop in St. John, head into town to the Top Notch Cafe for an early lunch, but beware – they close up shop at 2 p.m. and are closed Sunday.

With a full stomach, it’s a straight shot to the clubhouse, which is the biggest of the three.

After paying the $16 and getting the go-ahead from the club pro, it’s a short walk across one of several small bridges that gap the creek running through the course and onto the first tee.

Unlike St. John, where the difficult holes are up front, the first three holes at Colfax are made for low scores. The trickiest of the trio is the 298-yard, par-4 second, which doglegs left. Along the left fence line – which is out of bounds – are the high school baseball and softball fields at McDonald Park.

The third hole offers the best

The cart barn at the Tekoa Golf Club pops with color. view on the course, as the tee box is situated alongside the Palouse River. It’s a perfect spot to sit and enjoy the view, forgetting about the Pro V1 which is now in the outfield after the previous hole.

The third is also a very short, 240-yard par 4, mixing natural beauty with an easy decision to go for the green off the tee.

Other holes that will test even the more seasoned golfer include the lengthy 205-yard, par-3 fourth and 538-yard, par-5 seventh – the longest hole on any of the three courses.

The course is tight off the tee, with evergreen trees attracting any wayward drive or approach.

The greens are small but true, with sand surrounding several of the complexes. At 3,010 yards

from the men’s tees, Colfax is no course to take for granted. Otherwise, your score can balloon quickly.

Back in the car, with dignity possibly left on the course, it’s another 40-minute haul to Tekoa.

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After getting up the hill outside Colfax, it’s just a few miles back to Steptoe and the turnoff toward Oakesdale.

For those wanting a little more exercise than walking the links, you’ll drive right past the entrance to Steptoe Butte State Park – but with one more course to go, it might be best saved for another day.

Highway 27 will drop you right into Tekoa, just minutes from the Tekoa Golf Club.

The clubhouse is small, with another sign-up and pay slot on the outside for your $12 – a common theme with all three courses, as the clubhouse hours can vary quite a bit. Safest bet? Bring plenty of cash.

A brightly colored cart barn sits next to the clubhouse along with the course’s set of local rules, painted on a piece of plywood.

Small-town golf at its finest.

The opening hole is a short 286-yard, par-4 with a steep dip between tee box and green – and that’s what makes Tekoa so much different from the previous two courses. On the first two holes, there is more elevation change than St. John and Colfax combined – or at least your legs will think there is.

The 268-yard, par-4 second is the course’s signature hole. The fairway sits some 40 yards left of the tee box, which aims players directly toward the green. Big hitters can get their drive close, but there is risk – you have to carry a wheat field.

Once on the second green it’s clear you’re golfing in the Pa-

louse, as the view of the putting surface is surrounded by crops.

The par-5 third once again will test the leg strength of golfers and brakes of golf carts. Another steep downhill is followed by an equally steep climb back up. Big drives will nestle into the bowl, leaving a completely blind approach shot.

Other holes of note are the par-4 seventh, which has OB all down the right toward another blind green, and the 108-yard, par-3 eighth, which right or long will take your ball out of play and onto the highway.

Done for the day, likely with dead legs and fewer golf balls than you started with, it’s time for the last leg of the trip. If famished, swing into C&D’s Bar & Grill for a beverage and the Cal’s Chicken Fried Chicken Burger – plenty big enough for leftovers the next day.

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When all is said and done, the three-plus hours of driving and nearly 150 miles makes for some fun golf, plenty of screensaverworthy photos and an appreciation for the work and care put into small-town golf courses.

MAKE THIS THE SUMMER OF GOLF. Get more golf in this year starting at just $37 a round, and just $12 for juniors. Choose from four beautiful City of Spokane courses, 10 minutes from downtown. Book your tee time online at spokanegolf.org. Get out and play!

Book your tee time | SpokaneGolf.org

Historic course, scenic vistas of downtown.

A grand challenge, natural views.

100-year favorite on the river.

Walkable, for all skill levels.

family time

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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

MAY 25, 2018

GOLF AREA COURSE GUIDE Avondale GC: Hayden Lake, Idaho, (208) 772-5963. 18-hole greens fees: weekends/weekdays, $61.50, except Mondays at $47. 9-hole weekends/ weekdays, $33. 18-hole seniors (60+), $55. 18-hole juniors, $47. 18-hole cart fee: $33; 9-hole: $18. Tee times: no deadlines. (avondalegolfcourse.com) Bryden Canyon GC: Lewiston, Idaho, (208) 746-0863. 18-hole greens fees: weekends $28; weekdays, $23. 9hole: daily, $17. 18-hole cart fee: $15 per rider; 9-hole: $9 per rider. Replay rate, $10. Tee times: no deadlines. (brydencanyongolf.com) Chewelah G&CC: (509) 9356807. Course Open-September 30 (includes cart): 27 holes $65/$60; 18 holes $55/$50. Every day after 2 p.m. (includes cart): 18-hole, $36; 9-hole, $23.

Seniors 9 holes $15, 18 holes $38/$28, 27 holes $43/$33; juniors free on 9 holes, 18 holes $38/$22, 27 holes $43/$27. Walking rates all season: 9 holes $17, 18 holes $35/$30, 27 holes $40/$35. Tee times: no deadlines. (chewelahgolf.com) Circling Raven GC: Worley, Idaho, (800) 523-2464. 18-hole greens fees (with golf cart, GPS, and use of practice range): Season Opening-June 14: Monday-Thursday: $75; Friday-Sunday: $85; June 15-Sep. 30: Monday-Thursday: $90, Friday-Sunday: $105. Oct. 1Season End: Monday-Thursday: $85, Friday-Sunday $95. Tee times: 30 days in advance. (cdacasino.com/golf) Coeur d'Alene GC: (208) 7650218. 18-hole greens fees: weekends/ weekdays, $30, $27 for seniors, $15 for juniors. 9-hole: weekends/weekdays, $19, $17 for seniors, $10 for juniors. 18hole cart fee: $30; 9-hole: $18. Single person 18-hole cart fee: $19; 9-hole $12.

Tee times: Friday-Sunday and holidays, call after prior Tuesday at 7 a.m.; MonThurs, after prior Thursday at 7 a.m. (cdagolfclub.com) Coeur d'Alene Resort: (208) 667-4653. 18-hole greens fees: weekdays/weekends, May: $170 (twilight $90) June: $195, twilight $125; July/August: $250, twilight $160; September: $195, twilight $125; October: $150, twilight $75. Resort rate without stay and play package, May $150, June $175, July/ August $210, September $175, October $110. Fees include cart, range balls and forecaddie (gratuity not included), sports massage and complimentary bag tag. Tee times: no deadline, 24 hour cancellation notice. (cdaresort.com/ discover/golf) Colfax GC: (509) 397-2122. 18-hole greens fees weekend/weekdays, $23.

9-hole: weekends/weekdays, $16. 18hole cart fee: $20; 9-hole: $14. Tee times: weekends, call one day in advance; weekdays, no deadlines. (colfaxgolf.com/) Dominion Meadows GC: Colville, Washington, (509) 684-5508. 18hole greens fees: weekends/weekdays $32/28; Senior 18-hole: $28/$26. College $28/$26, 9-hole fee: weekends/ weekdays $22/$20; Senior 9-hole: $20/ $18. Tee times: no deadlines. (colvillegolf.com) Deer Park G&CC: (509) 2765912. 18-hole greens fees: weekends $32 ($23 for sunset rate after 3 p.m.); week-

days (Monday-Friday) $29 ($24 for seniors). 9-hole: weekends after 3 p.m., $19.50 ($18 for seniors); weekdays (Monday-Friday) $19.50 ($18 for seniors). 18-hole cart fee: $16; 9-hole: $8.

Tee times: call one week in advance. (deerparkgolf.com) Downriver GC: Spokane, Washington, (509) 327-5269. 18-hole greens fees: weekdays (Monday-Thursday), $34, weekend $37; 9-hole: weekdays and after 1 p.m. on weekend, $24. Sunset rate $15. City discount card rate: weekdays $27, weekends $30. Seniors rate with city discount card M-Th $25, weekend $30. Juniors 9 or 18-hole $10. Tee times: seven days in advance at 2 p.m. (my.spokanecity.org/golf) Esmeralda GC: Spokane, Washington, (509) 487-6291. 18-hole greens fees: weekdays (Monday-Thursday), $33, weekend $36; 9-hole: weekdays and after 1 p.m. on weekend, $23. Sunset rate $15 (Fri-Mon). City discount card rate: weekdays $26, weekends $29. Seniors rate with city discount card M-Th $24, weekend $29; after 1 p.m. $19. Juniors 9 or 18-hole $10. Tee times: seven days in advance at 2 p.m. (my.spokanecity.org/golf) The Fairways GC: Cheney, Washington, (509) 747-8418. 18-hole: Monday-Thursday greens fees $37; weekends $39. 9-hole: weekdays $24, weekends $26. Every day after 4 p.m. $24. Tee times: dynamic pricing all the time at (golfthefairways.com) Hangman Valley GC: Spokane, Washington, (509) 448-1212. 18-hole greens fees: weekdays (Monday-Friday), $33, weekend $37; rate for prebook, weekdays $37, weekends $42; county discount card $27 M-F, weekends $30; 9-hole: weekdays $24, weekend $29. Seniors rate with discount card M-F $26, weekend $30. With county discount card $20 for 9-holes weekdays and after 3 p.m. weekends. Juniors 9and 18-hole $10,. Twilight 9-hole $16. 18hole single cart fee: $12; 9-hole: $8. Tee times: nine days in advance. (spokanecounty.org/1141/Hangman-Valley) Harrington G&CC: (509) 2534308. 18-hole greens fees: WednesdayFriday $20, $18 for seniors and military; $14 for juniors. 9-hole: $16, $12 for seniors and military; $10 for juniors. MondayTuesday 18-hole $12; 9-hole $12. Weekends and holidays: $24, 9-hole $18. 18hole cart fee: $24; 9-hole: $14. Tee times: no deadlines. (harringtonbiz.com/golf) Highlands GC: Post Falls, Idaho, (208) 773-3673. 18-hole greens fees: weekdays (Mon-Thurs) $34, weekend, $36; seniors weekdays (Mon-Thurs) $29, weekend $36; juniors, weekdays $18 and weekends $25; 9-hole: $23 weekdays/weekends after 1 p.m.; 18hole cart fee: $32 per seat; 9-hole: $16 per seat. Tee times: weekends/weekdays, up to one week in advance. Twilight time is after 4 p.m. and is $28 with cart, $20 without. (thehighlandsgc.com) Idaho Club: Sandpoint, Idaho, (208) 265-2345. 18-hole greens frees: weekdays (Mon-Thur.): 7-11 a.m. private members only, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $75, 2-7 p.m. $55. Weekends (Fri-Sun): 7-11 a.m. private members only, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $95, 2-7 p.m. $75. Juniors, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (all days) $32.50. Tee times required. Members only from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (theidahoclub.com) Indian Canyon GC: Spokane, Washington, (509) 747-5353. 18-hole

greens fees: weekdays (Monday-Thursday), $35, weekends $38; 9-hole: weekdays and weekends after 1 p.m. $24; sunset rate $15. City discount card rate: weekdays $27, weekends $30. Seniors rate with city discount card M-Th $25, weekend $30. Juniors, 9- and 18-hole $10. Tee times: seven days in advance at 2 p.m. (my.spokanecity.org/golf) Liberty Lake GC: (509) 2556233. 18-hole greens fees: weekdays (Monday-Friday), $33, weekend $37; rate for pre-book, weekdays $37, weekends $42; county discount card $27 M-F, weekends $30; 9-hole: weekdays $24, weekend $29. Seniors rate with discount card M-F $26, weekend $30.

With county discount card $20 for 9holes weekdays and after 3 p.m. weekends. Juniors 9- and 18-hole $10,. Twilight (Fri-Sun) 9-hole $16. 18-hole single cart fee: $12; 9-hole: $8. Tee times: nine days in advance. (spokanecounty.org/1210/Liberty-Lake) The Links GC: Post Falls, Idaho, (208) 777-7611. 18-hole greens fees: Friday-Sunday $37; Mon., Wed., Thur. $33; 9-hole Friday-Sunday $25; Mon., Wed., Thur. $22; Tight-Wad-Tuesday: 18-hole: $25 with bucket of range balls. Seniors/ Military (Monday-Thursday): $28 for 18 holes, $16 for 9 holes. Juniors: $15. 18hole cart fee: $16 per seat; 9-hole: $11 per seat. Tee times: no deadlines. (golfthelinks.net) MeadowWood GC: Liberty Lake, Washington, (509) 255-9539. 18hole greens fees: weekdays (MondayFriday), $33, weekend $37; rate for prebook, weekdays $37, weekends $42; county discount card $27 M-F, weekends $30; 9-hole: weekdays $24, weekend $29. Seniors rate with discount card M-F $26, weekend $30. With county discount card $20 for 9-holes weekdays and after 3 p.m. weekends. Juniors 9and 18-hole $10, Twilight 9-hole $16. 18hole single cart fee: $12; 9-hole: $8. Tee times: nine days in advance. (meadowwoodgolf.com) Mirror Lake GC: Bonners Ferry, Idaho, (208) 267-5314. 9-hole greens fees: weekdays $18, weekends and holidays $20, juniors $10. 18-hole: weekdays $25, weekends and holidays $27, juniors $14. Cart fee: 18-hole $25, 9-hole $15. Cart trail fee: $5. (bonnersferry.id.gov/mirror-lake-golf-course) Palouse Ridge GC: Pullman, Washington, (509) 335-4342. 18-hole greens fees for residents (live within 40mile radius): $57. Nonresidents: $105.

Seniors (60+)/Faculty and Staff: $47.

Students: $40 (Monday-Thursday $35).

Juniors (17-): $20. Twilight: $47. 9-hole greens fees: $47. WSUAA member: $57.

Cart fees: all rates include cart. (palouseridge.com) Pine Acres: Spokane, Washington, (509) 466-9984. 9-hole: weekdays $10, seniors $8, juniors $8. All players $10 on weekends. Range bucket prices: 135 balls for $13.50, 90 balls for $9.50, 60 balls for $8.50. (pineacresgolf.com) Pinehurst GC: Pinehurst, Idaho, (208) 682-2013. 18-hole greens fees: weekday and weekend $26, 9-hole $16.

Play all day Thursday for $15. 18-cart fees: $22; 9-cart fees: $12. (pinehurst.com/golf) Pomeroy GC: (509) 843-1197. 18hole greens fees: weekends/weekdays $20. 9-hole: $10. Cart path fee: $5. Tee times: none.

Ponderosa Springs: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, (208) 664-1101. 9-hole:

A GOLF EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER

weekends/weekdays $13, $7 to play again. Weekdays: seniors (55 and over) $11, juniors (17 and under) $11. Ten-play passes: $100. Pull carts only: $4. Club rentals: $3. Tee times: none. No dress code. (ponderosaspringsgolf.com) Prairie Falls GC: Post Falls, Idaho, (208) 457-0210. 18-hole greens fees: weekday (Monday-Thursday), $31.

Weekends, $35. 9-hole: weekday $21, weekend $23. 18-hole cart fee: $16 per seat; 9-hole: $9 per seat. 3-round card (cart included): $100. Tee times: one week in advance. Range balls: small bucket (38-42 balls) $5, large bucket (72-76 balls) $8, jumbo bucket (165-170 balls) $15. (pfgolf.com) Priest Lake GC: (208) 443-2525.

Greens fees (parentheses: with cart): Opening-June: 20 18-holes $33 ($45), 9holes $20 ($30). June 21-Sept. 10: 18holes $55 ($70), 9-holes $30 ($45).

Sept. 11-Closing: 18-holes $30 ($45), 9holes $20 ($30). Twilight after 2 p.m.: $30 (with cart) all you can play in offseason, $35 in peak season. Senior discount is 10 percent. Tee times: no deadline, but time availability varies. (plgolfcourse.com) Quail Ridge GC: Clarkston, Washington, (509) 758-8501. 18-hole greens fees: $30. 9-hole greens fees: $20. 18-hole w/cart: $45; 9-hole: $30.

Tee times: two weeks in advance. (golfquailridge.com)

The Creek at Qualchan GC: Spokane, Washington, (509) 448-9317.

18-hole greens fees: weekdays (Monday-Thursday), $35, weekend $38; 9hole: weekdays/weekend $24. Sunset rate $15. City discount card rate: weekdays $27, weekends $230. Seniors rate with city discount card M-Th $25, weekend $30. Juniors 9- and 18-hole $10. Tee times: seven days in advance after 2 p.m. City discount card $45. (my.spokanecity.org/golf) Ranch Club GC: Priest River, Idaho, (208) 448-1731. Unlimited play: weekends/weekdays $23. 9-hole: weekends/weekdays $18. 18-hole cart fee: $22; 9-hole: $16. Tee times: Holidays and weekends. (ranchclubgolfcourse.com) * Ritzville GC: (509) 659-9868.

18-hole greens fees: weekdays $20; weekends $22; senior (Monday-Thursday) $17. 9-hole: $15, senior (MondayThursday) $12. Unlimited rounds (Monday) $10, students $5. 18-hole cart fee $20, 9-hole $10. Tee times: no deadlines.

Sandpoint Elks GC: (208) 2634321. 18-hole greens fees: weekends/ weekdays $25 ($21 members). 9-hole: weekends/weekdays $17.50 ($14 members). 18-hole cart fee: $24 ($22 members); 9-hole: $17 ($16 members). Pull cart: $7. League nights: Mon, Wed and Thurs at 5 p.m. Tee times: before 3 p.m. on league nights. (sandpointelks.com) Shoshone G&TC: Kellogg, Idaho, (208) 784-0161. 18-hole greens fees: weekends/weekdays $27, senior (65+) $22, junior $19 (18 & under). 9-hole: weekends/weekdays $16, senior $13, junior $10. Thursdays (except holidays), all day $30 including cart. Veterans play free Mondays without cart. 18-hole cart fee: $27; 9-hole: $14. Tee times: call for tee times. (shoshonegolf.com) St. John G&CC: (509) 648-3259.

All-day greens fees: weekends/weekdays $18. Pull cart $3. Motorized cart $25.

St. Maries GC: (208) 245-3842.

18-hole greens fees: weekends $26;

weekdays $22; juniors $12. 9-hole: weekends $17; weekdays $15; juniors $8.

18-hole cart fee: $26; 9-hole: $13. Wednesdays are senior days: 18-hole $12; 9hole $8. Tee times: no deadline.

Stoneridge GC: Blanchard, Idaho, (208) 437-GOLF. Mar-May and OctNov: 18-hole $46 including cart; 9-hole $22. June-Sept: 18-hole $41 (w/ cart $56.50); 9-hole $22 (w/ cart $32). MarMay and Oct-Nov senior rates: 18-hole $29.95 (w/ cart $45.45). Monday senior day: 18-hole $39.95 and half off cart.

Juniors 18-hole $20, 9-hole $12. Twilight rates after 1 p.m.: $25 ($40 w/cart). Cart fee $15.50. Tee times: month-plus. (stoneridgeidaho.com) Sun Dance GC: Nine Mile Falls, Washington (509) 466-4040. Monday: 18-hole $18, 9-hole $9. Tuesday-Friday: 18-hole $20, 9-hole $15. Weekends and holidays: 9- and 18-holes $25. Early bird (opening-8 a.m.) and twilight (3 p.m.close): 18-holes $18, 9-holes $9. Cart fee: 18-holes $30; 9-holes $15; single rider $19 for 18-holes. Tee times: call one hour in advance. (sundancegc.com) Tekoa GC: (509) 284-5607.

Greens fees: 18-hole $15, 9-hole $10. Juniors $6. All day golf: $25. Cart rental: 18hole $15, 9-hole $10. Tee times: none. (tekoawa.com/organizations/ sports.html) Twin Lakes Village GC: Rathdrum, Idaho, (208) 687-1311. 18-hole greens fees: $37 ($53 w/ cart); seniors (Monday-Friday) $28.50 ($44.50 w/ cart); juniors (under 18) $19 ($31.50 w/ cart). 9-hole, Monday-Friday and weekends before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m.: $23.50 ($31.50 w/ cart); seniors (Monday-Friday) $19 ($27 w/ cart); juniors $12.50 ($19 w/ cart). Twilight rate after 2 p.m.: $29.50 ($45.50 w/ cart). Tee times: call in advance. (golftwinlakes.com) University of Idaho GC: Moscow, Idaho, (208) 885-6171. 18-hole greens fees: public $29 ($24 after 3:30p.m.); students M-F $16, F-Su $20; seniors/faculty $25 ($21 after 3:30 p.m.); juniors $15 (10 and under play free). 9hole fees: public $19; students M-F $13, F-Su $16; seniors $17. 18-hole cart fee: $14 ($18 per extra seat); 9-hole: $10 ($12 per extra seat). Tee times: accepted one week in advance. (uidaho.edu/golfcourse) Trailhead GC: Liberty Lake, Washington, (509) 928-3484. 9-hole greens fees: adult $18, seniors $15, juniors $10, services $15, twilight (5 p.m.-1 hour before dark) $15. Second-round fees: adult $9, seniors $8, juniors $5, services $8. Season passes for unlimited play: adult $575, seniors/services $475, juniors $175. Pull cart $4. Club rental $10.

Power cart: 9-hole $14; 18-hole $28. Trail fee $7. Range balls: small $6, medium $8, large $10. (libertylakewa.gov/golf) Wandermere GC: Spokane, Washington, (509) 466-8023. 18-hole greens fees: weekends $32; weekdays $28, seniors $24, junior $18. 9-hole: weekends $32 ($15 after 3 p.m.); weekdays $20, seniors $18, juniors $10. 18-hole cart fee: $30; 9-hole: $15. Twilight: $15 after 3 p.m. $15 Tuesday 18- or 9-holes.

Tee times: weekends, call one week in advance; weekdays, call one day in advance. (wandermere.com) On the web: The following is a directory of area golf courses. For more information on area courses, go online at spokesman.com/golf

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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

MAY 25, 2018

COVER STORY

One golf writer and four area pros put together their perfect course

I

on our list but hadn’t t measures 7,055 visited several in more yards, but that’s not than a decade. To tackle the tough part. It’s the project properly, I roughly a 460-mile knew I needed help with road trip, an odyssey everything from that crisscrosses the nominations to making Washington-Idaho border final calls on the holes.

10 times if you reside in So I dragged a quality Spokane County. foursome into the mix: Even if you can manage JIM StoneRidge pro Tim the road miles, you’re MEEHAN Morton, Qualchan pro going to need a ton of Mark Gardner, Hangman cooperation from 14 area SPOKESMAN Valley pro Steve Nelke and golf pros to grant the COLUMNIST former Manito head pro ultimate “playing Steve Prugh. through” status.

Still, it became apparent But it’s still fun to this wasn’t going to be a dream. simple task.

The boss, noted Picking holes in numerical order divotologist Ralph “Suitcaser” Walter, suggested an intriguing idea presented an obvious challenge. No. 14, the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s for this year’s S-R golf section: The Floating Green, was the closest thing Dream 18. to a gimme. We picked the area’s Did he mean the best 18 holes? most famous hole, knowing it Toughest 18? Hardest? Most fun? eliminated strong par 4s at Kalispel, Most unique? Most loved/hated?

Indian Canyon, the Links and Prettiest? Best designed?

Prairie Falls.

Turns out Ralph’s concept was to It got exponentially harder consider all of the above, with one coupling numerical order with my GIANT caveat: The Dream 18 in stipulation of a “traditional 18,” numerical order, beginning with a meaning four par 3s, two on each nifty No. 1 in the Spokane-Coeur side, and the same with the four par d’Alene region, give or take a 5s (or possibly a par 6 with No. 9 at half-hour’s drive north or south of the I-90 corridor, and ending with a the Links under consideration). Uh, my bad! fine finishing hole.

Any golfer in Eastern Washington We decided it would involve and North Idaho will tell you there 18-hole courses that offer at least are dozens of great par 3s. Try some public play, so no Gozzer boiling that figure down to four. Try Ranch, Black Rock, Manito, etc. We choosing, for instance, No. 8, which determined that a key guideline for is stacked with splendid par 3s at judging a hole was simply thinking StoneRidge, Indian Canyon, to yourself, “That’s a great hole” Esmeralda, Avondale, Downriver when you pick your ball out of the and the Links. cup.

“My back side is like a par-3 Twenty-two courses were considered and each had at least one course,” said Gardner, rattling off six hole nomination. By my count, there or seven holes from memory in a matter of seconds. “There’s so many were a whopping 139 candidates. good ones.”

Some holes had as few as five “We could almost go (par) 38-34,” nominations; several reached double Nelke said. digits.

Then plug in the top par 5s from Added up, it’s a testament to the another lengthy list of nominees. outstanding holes and courses that The relief of settling on four holes make golf an absolute treat in our region.

I’d played or walked every course See MEEHAN, 12

The 14th hole at the Coeur d’Alene resort (top) was the closest thing to a tap-in decision when it came to choosing the region’s “Dream 18” holes.

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

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BUILDING THE REG

REPORTER JIM MEEHAN, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF FOUR AR INTO AN 18-HOLE, PAR-72 COURSE THAT WOU

FRONT NINE – PAR: 36 YARDA

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Avondale GC 387-YARD PAR 4 The nominees: Indian Canyon (456-yard par 4), Qualchan (348yard par 4), Circling Raven (483yard par 5), MeadowWood (389yard par 4), Avondale (387-yard par 4).

Liberty Lake GC

Kalispel CC

Qualchan GC

Hangman Valley GC

414-YARD PAR 4 The nominees: MeadowWood (537-yard per 5), Kalispel (374yard par 4), Links (408-yard par 4), Liberty Lake (414-yard par 4), Coeur d’Alene Resort (377-yard par 4).

474-YARD PAR 5 The nominees: Prairie Falls (429-yard par 4), Coeur d’Alene Resort (114-yard par 3), Liberty Lake (172-yard par 3), Circling Raven (182-yard par 3), Qualchan (519-yard par 5), Hangman Valley (314-yard par 4), Kalispel (474yard par 5).

200-YARD PAR 3 The nominees: Hangman Valley (374-yard par-4), Avondale (390-yard par 4), Circling Raven (360-yard par 4), Links (175-yard par 3), Qualchan (200-yard par 3), Coeur d’Alene Public (378yard par 4), StoneRidge (407yard par 4), Kalispel (448-yard par 4).

611-YARD PAR 5 The nominees: Avondale (390-yard par 4), Liberty Lake (438-yard par 4), Hangman Valley (611-yard par 5), Downriver (447-yard par 4), Qualchan (537yard par 5), Circling Raven (501yard par 5), Coeur d’Alene Resort (120-yard par 3), Wandermere (155-yard par 3).

The n yard p par 3), 3), Libe Coeur par 3), par 4).

BACK NINE – PAR: 36 YARDA

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Indian Canyon GC

Coeur d’Alene Resort

Downriver GC

Hangman Valley GC

Coeur d’Alene Resort

437-YARD PAR 4 The nominees: Circling Raven (298-yard par 4), Highlands (595-yard par 5), Links (388-yard par 4), Hangman Valley (512-yard par 5), Indian Canyon (437-yard par 4), Deer Park (349-yard par 4), Coeur d’Alene Resort (405-yard par 4).

506-YARD PAR 5 The nominees: Qualchan (210-yard par 3), Coeur d’Alene Resort (506-yard par 5), Hangman Valley (166-yard par 3), MeadowWood (176-yard par 3), Fairways 317-yard par 4), Avondale (432-yard par 4), Coeur d’Alene Public (166-yard par 3), Circling Raven (379-yard par 4), Deer Park (527-yard par 5), Twin Lakes (476-yard par 5).

217-YARD PAR 3 The nominees: Highlands (404-yard par 4), Coeur d’Alene Public (422-yard par 4), Circling Raven (488-yard par 5), Fairways (508-yard par 5), Hangman Valley (403-yard par 4), Downriver (217-yard par 3), Qualchan (426-yard par 4), Coeur d’Alene Resort (180-yard par 3).

423-YARD PAR 4 The nominees: Hangman Valley (423-yard par 4), Indian Canyon (160-yard par 3), Fairways (152-yard par 3), Chewelah (561-yard par 5), Avondale (478-yard par 5), Coeur d’Alene Resort (295-yard par 4), Prairie Falls (402-yard par 4), Circling Raven (200-yard par 3).

147-YARD PAR 3 The nominees: Coeur d’Alene Resort (180-yard par 3), Kalispel (400-yard par 4), Indian Canyon (419-yard par 4), Links (391-yard par 4), Prairie Falls (199-yard par 3), Liberty Lake (379-yard par 4), Qualchan (165-yard par 3).

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The no (170-ya Public Falls (3 Lakes ( Raven Canyon

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

MAY 25, 2018

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GION’S ‘DREAM 18’

REA CLUB PROS, BOILED DOWN NEARLY 140 POSSIBLE HOLES ULD MAKE A SCRATCH HANDICAPPER SWEAT.

AGE: 3,542

THE CRITERIA COURSES ELIGIBLE (22) SPOKANE: Downriver, Esmeralda, Indian Canyon, Qualchan, Liberty Lake, MeadowWood, Hangman Valley, Kalispel, Wandermere, Sun Dance, Fairways, Deer Park, Chewelah. IDAHO: The Links, Prairie Falls, Circling Raven, Coeur d’Alene Public, Coeur d’Alene Resort, Avondale, Highlands, Twin Lakes, StoneRidge.

CRITERIA: 18-hole courses open to the public at some level in SpokaneCoeur d’Alene region, somewhat near the I-90 corridor. Pick 18 holes in order numerically, using distances from the white tees. Strive for a traditional 18 (four par 3s, four par 5s/6s, 10 par 4s).

HOLE NOMINATION CONSIDERATIONS: Design, visual/scenic, toughness/challenge, playability/enjoyability, risk-reward/options. When you play it, you think, “That’s a great hole.”

PROS’ TIPS

By Jim Meehan THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

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Kalispel CC

Esmeralda GC

StoneRidge GC

Circling Raven GC

440-YARD PAR 4 The nominees: Coeur d’Alene Public (404-yard par 4), Esmeralda (440-yard par 4), Fairways (164-yard par 3), Wandermere (470-yard par 5), Circling Raven (154-yard par 3), Coeur d’Alene Resort (399-yard par 4), Hangman Valley (174-yard par 3).

195-YARD PAR 3 The nominees: Esmeralda (206-yard par 3), Downriver (200-yard par 3), Indian Canyon (204-yard par 3), Chewelah (377-yard par 4), Avondale (209yard par 3), Links (165-yard par 3), StoneRidge (195-yard par 3).

437-YARD PAR 4 The nominees: Deer Park (400-yard par 4), Highlands (411yard par 4), Chewelah (398-yard par 4), MeadowWood (382-yard par 4), Circling Raven (437-yard par 4), Fairways (357-yard par 4), Links (600-yard par 6), Liberty Lake (410-yard par 4), Coeur d’Alene Resort (540-yard par 5), Prairie Falls (504-yard par 5).

384-YARD PAR 4 nominees: Kalispel (384ar 4), Highlands (98-yard Sun Dance (196-yard par erty Lake (405-yard par 4), d’Alene Resort (155-yard Circling Raven (370-yard

AGE: 3,513 No. 1 Avondale This 387-yard par 4 requires an accurate drive to avoid being blocked by scattered trees to the left and right sides of the fairway. Approach shots must carry a pond and bunkers, and it’s wise to keep your approach below the cup on this speedy green for the best opportunity at birdie.

Avondale pro Dan Porter’s tip: This hole calls for a good drive, the longer the better. Note the pin location on this two-tiered green. Pick the wrong iron on your approach shot and you could spend your day at the beach, as the bunkers are quite difficult to get out of.

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Prairie Falls GC

MeadowWood GC

Liberty Lake GC

Twin Lakes GC

569-YARD PAR 5 The nominees: Coeur d’Alene Resort (401-yard par 4), MeadowWood (569-yard par 5), Wandermere (405-yard par 4), Circling Raven (162-yard par 3), Downriver (193-yard par 3), StoneRidge (413-yard par 4), Prairie Falls (343-yard par 4), Esmeralda (420-yard par 4), Hangman (509-yard par 5).

412-YARD PAR 4 The nominees: Indian Canyon (248-yard par 4), Deer Park (485-yard par 5), Hangman (189-yard par 3), Avondale (563-yard par 5), Esmeralda (188-yard par 3), Coeur d’Alene Resort (257-yard par 4), Links (175-yard par 3), Kalispel (173-yard par 3), Liberty Lake (412-yard par 4), Circling Raven (486-yard par 5).

406-YARD PAR 4 The nominees: Highlands (388-yard par 4), MeadowWood (378-yard par 4), StoneRidge (502-yard par 5), Fairways (392-yard par 4), Twin Lakes (406-yard par 4), Prairie Falls (531-yard par 5), Downriver (308-yard par 4), Qualchan (480-yard par 5), Coeur d’Alene Resort (434-yard par 4), Deer Park (420-yard par 4), Hangman (333-yard par 4).

396-YARD PAR 4 ominees: Links ard par 3), Coeur d’Alene (176-yard par 3), Prairie 396-yard par 4), Twin (142-yard par 3), Circling (370-yard par 4). Indian n (320-yard par 4).

No. 2 Liberty Lake One of several quality par 4s at Liberty Lake, this 414-yard hole begins with a slightly uphill tee shot to a fairway compressed by a lengthy, 50-yard bunker on the right and high rough on the left. A bunker gobbles up approaches left of the green.

Liberty Lake pro Kit DeAndre’s tip: A strong par 4 that requires a good drive left of the fairway bunker for a mid- to long-iron approach into a wavy, tiered green. Par is a great score here.

See PROS’ TIPS, 8

Illustrations by MOLLY QUINN/THE S-R

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No. 3 Kalispel

No. 4 Qualchan

The yardage is a bit misleading. This par 5 measures 474 to 493 yards, but it plays longer with a steady climb from tee to green. To get home in two requires two well-struck shots, the latter navigating around a large tree that stands guard in front of the green.

Kalispel pro Nick McCaslin’s tip: This gradual, uphill par 5 starts from a tee box which is surrounded by the Little Spokane River with the beautiful Rattlesnake Ridge behind. The green is guarded by an iconic large pine tree in front and a large bunker on the front right. A good tee shot will leave players with the decision to go for the green in two. Try and keep your ball below the hole, as players face a fast, sloping green from back to front with subtle breaks throughout.

The first par 3 on the Dream 18 is 200 yards – 223 if played from the tips – so your first order of business is trying to hit the long green with a hybrid or lowto mid-iron. Two bunkers await shots off line to the right.

Qualchan pro Mark Gardner’s tip: No. 4 is the longest par 3 at Qualchan.

The green is long and has a big mound on the left side.

The green is guarded by a bunker on the front right side and back right side. Accuracy and distance are a premium on this tough par 3. The best approach would be from the front left of the green, so the ball can work to the right once in hits the green. Look for the putts to break toward the middle channel. Par is definitely your friend on No. 4 at The Q!

No. 5 Hangman Valley The longest hole on the Dream 18, but it actually plays shorter than its listed 611 yards because it’s mostly downhill. The optimum drive from the elevated tee box splits the bunkers left and right of the fairway. It’s possible to reach the green in two, but the vast majority of players use their first two shots to set up the easiest third shot onto the green.

Hangman Valley pro Steve Nelke’s tip: The tee shot is crucial to attack this par 5. It’s much easier to play from the fairway and length is a big plus. Aim at either bunker and curve the ball away from that target. The second shot is usually a long fairway wood or hybrid playing slightly left of center, as the ball will kick slightly right. Some very long players can reach the green in two, but conditions have to be favorable.

Approach shot plays a club shorter to a large green with plenty of trouble long.

From 100 yards in, the fairway slopes downhill, making that shot a challenge.

Not as severely sloping as some other greens, it is easier to approach from below the hole.

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

A golfer approaches the 611-yard fifth hole at Hangman Valley.

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No. 6 Kalispel Kalispel’s second entry on the front side is a par 4 requiring a strong drive.

There’s trouble and/or OB left and trees stationed right of the fairway. A successful tee shot provides an opportunity at birdie on one of the course’s flatter green complexes.

Kalispel pro Nick McCaslin’s tip: This hole features OB left with overhanging willow trees and more trees to the right, making the tee shot one of Kalispel’s most difficult driving holes. Try and look past the trouble and focus on a target right-center of the fairway, which slopes from right to left, and your ball will finish in the center of the fairway. A good tee ball leaves players with a mid- to short-iron second shot to a well bunkered and fairly flat putting surface.

Two good shots here could be rewarded with a three.

No. 7 Esmeralda

No. 8 StoneRidge

Ezzy’s entry is the longest par 4 on the Dream 18, spanning 440 yards and 455 from the blues if you’re feeling frisky. Length off the tee helps position players for their second shot to a large green. Penciling a ‘4’ onto your scorecard will be an achievement on Esmeralda’s No. 1 handicap hole.

Steve Prugh’s pro tip: The seventh hole at Esmeralda is a beautiful, medium-to-long par 4. The hole plays into the prevailing wind and doglegs to the left. To play the hole correctly, the tee shot must be down the middle or favoring the right side. If the tee shot hugs the left side, it will be cut off by maple trees that have grown large over the years. The green, while being fairly large and fairly simple, is a green you want to putt uphill on.

This 195-yarder ranks is one of the tougher par 3s around. It begins from an elevated tee box, which makes judging the correct distance a priority. The tee shot requires accuracy with a pond left of the green and a bunker right. Par is to be celebrated on this scenic, challenging hole.

Steve Prugh’s pro tip: StoneRidge No. 8 is a wonderful, challenging par 3. Water left, prevailing wind pushing the ball to the left and no bargain to chip from if you play safe to the right. Since this par 3 is long, you should always aim at the middle of the green or slightly to the right, as a ‘3’ is a great score. Make a ‘3’, pat yourself on the back and quietly walk to the ninth tee.

See PROS’ TIPS, 9

DON’T MISS Catch Jim Meehan’s weekly golf column on Saturdays in The Spokesman-Review.

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

MAY 25, 2018

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GOLF PROS’ TIPS Continued from 8

No. 9 Circling Raven The front nine’s closing hole is one of the best in the region. The hole spans 437 yards with wetlands along the left side and out of bounds for drives wide right. A quality tee shot avoids a sand trap off the right edge of the fairway but still leaves a mid-iron approach to a green protected on the front left by a bunker.

Circling Raven pro Tom Davidson’s tip: Perhaps the most demanding tee shot at Circling Raven. Even a good tee shot will leave you with a significant distance on the approach of this highly challenging par 4. Despite your inclination, aim at the American flag in the far distance. Favor the center to right-center off the tee, avoiding the wetland on the left that spans the entire length of the hole. The large, deep, front bunker is a difficult upand-down, so favor the right half of the green on the approach. Distance to the flag can vary as much as three clubs to this large and undulating green.

FILE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Indian Canyon Golf Course is considered a gem for its meandering hillside fairways and soaring views of Spokane.

No. 10 Indian Canyon

No. 11 Coeur d’Alene Resort

A great golf hole with an unmatched view of Spokane from the tee box. No. 10 is nearly 440 yards, but the drop in elevation shortens the actual yardage. Tee shots left usually end up in prison, so finding the fairway takes on added importance. Two good swings leave one last test: the back-to-front sloped green.

Indian Canyon pro Doug Phares’ tip: The view from No. 10 at Indian Canyon is probably as picturesque as any hole in Spokane, or anywhere for that matter. Like any good golf hole, it offers options as to how to play it. Players can choose accuracy and hit a tee shot in the 200-to-220yard range, which will leave an approach of about 180 yards with a level lie. This approach will play at least one club shorter, as the green is well below the fairway. The most common strategy is to let it fly with a driver to try and get as close to the green as possible. While this can pay off with a flip wedge into the green and a good chance for birdie, any miss right or left will definitely make par difficult to achieve.

The first of the Dream 18’s two back-nine par 5s is a quality hole and scenic to boot. No. 11 has similarities to Augusta’s famed 13th hole, particularly with the creek that runs the left side and cuts across the front of the green. There is little margin for error off the tee, with the creek left and trees to the right. It’s the classic risk-reward scenario for players trying to reach the putting surface in two.

Coeur d’Alene Resort pro Andy Mackimmie’s tip: Reminiscent of the famed Amen Corner 13th hole at Augusta National, the 11th hole at The Coeur d’Alene Resort sets up for a draw off the tee, aiming down the tree-lined right side of the fairway. The fairway slopes slightly from right to left down to Fernan Creek, which tracks down the left side of the hole. Big hitters have a chance to go for the green in two; however, the risks are numerous. The approach shot is all carry as the creek cuts in front and around the right side of the green. The safe play is a mid-iron or hybrid shot to a wide approach area, leaving 90 to 130 yards from the green. A small bunker protects the back side of this threetier green, with a bailout hillside sloping toward the green on the left.

See PROS’ TIPS, 10

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Poor greens left many disappointed by course after 2004 U.S. Open

By Mark Herrmann

U.S. Open

The head of the United States Golf Association said on Monday that the superintendent at Shinnecock Hills has the course “right where it needs to be” for the U.S. Open in three weeks, adding that the USGA is happy the club has given it a mulligan, or do-over, for the 2004 Open.

“It was certainly a bogey last time, maybe a double bogey,” Mike Davis, the USGA’s chief executive officer, said at media day on the course in Southampton.

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Davis repeatedly called Shinnecock “a national treasure.” But the vintage layout had been almost unrecognizable with the way the USGA left it in 2004, when the greens were thoroughly dried out and just about unplayable.

“We’re happy to have a

mulligan this time,” he said.

He walked the course Sunday with superintendent Jon Jennings, who was not on staff 14 years ago, and liked what he saw. There had been concerns over the greens after the cold, snowy March. But Davis said, “By and large, he’s got it right where it needs to be. When you’re setting it up, it starts years ahead of time, saying, ‘OK, is there anything architecturally that we need to change?’ As you get to this point, it’s all trying to get it as close to what you think you’re going to need.”

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GOLF

PROS’ TIPS Continued from 9

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The floating green on the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s 14th hole can be moved from 90 to 220 yards.

‘‘

The real key to playing the hole is to avoid being mentally consumed with the challenge.”

No. 12 Downriver

No. 13 Hangman Valley

No. 14 Coeur d’Alene Resort

No. 15 Prairie Falls

Downriver’s par 3s are challenging, and this one is the longest of the Dream 18’s four par 3s. At 217 yards, the green is framed by OB to the right and a fall-off slope to the left.

Steve Prugh’s pro tip: This long, iconic par 3 requires a very good long iron, hybrid, fairway wood or even a driver. The green is not bunkered, but don’t let that fool you. Out of bounds is just right of the green, but any shot that misses the green left can run a long way, making for a challenging up-and-down.

For most of us, playing the ball slightly short of the green to leave an easier chip and one putt is the best bet to make par.

This straightaway par 4 has everything you want in a challenging par 4. There’s length (423 yards from the whites, 442 from the tips) and a slightly elevated green bordered by bunkers.

Hangman Valley pro Steve Nelke’s tip: A good tee shot with length in the right-center puts you in position to play this hole.

The green slopes severely back to front, and the left greenside bunker is a tough up-and-down. The rear of the green has less slope, and the front third of the green is best approached from below. Just short of the green is not a bad play. It’s easy to putt off the green if you’re above the hole. Par is a very good score.

The shortest hole on the Dream 18 is the region’s most famous, thanks to the floating green. The 147yard par 3 – it can stretch out to 220 yards – to the island green on Lake Coeur d’Alene is stunning visually, and players let out a sigh of relief when their ball touches down on land.

Coeur d’Alene Resort pro Andy Mackimmie’s tip: The world-famous floating island green has grown into an icon for destination golfers worldwide.

At 15,000 square feet, the island offers a more generous landing area than the initial, deceivingly distant, appearance from the tee would suggest. The real key to playing the hole is to avoid being mentally consumed with the challenge.

Easier said than done. Club selection is critical. Playing one club more than what would be played for the exact pin yardage is recommended, due to prevailing breezes coming directly towards the tee. A high percentage of errant shots are short, and almost never long. If the pin location is on the left, play for the middle of the green; there’s no room for error left of the green. Take a deep breath, go through a pre-shot routine and take a smooth swing. Avoiding the quick swing or over-swing will help keep the ball dry.

This par 4 tucked into the northwest corner of the course measures just under 400 yards. The key is a good drive, which means avoiding the bunker right of the landing area and native grasses left of the fairway.

The undulating green sits inside a surrounding bowl.

(Note: Prairie Falls recently flipped sides, with No. 15 becoming No. 6.)

Prairie Falls pro Bill Bomar’s tip: This is a good driving hole, so it’s important to find the fairway. A good drive carries to a second tier of the fairway, which makes the approach shorter and much easier.

The second shot to a big green needs to stay away from a left-side bunker that makes for a difficult sand save.

About this section RESEARCH/WRITING: Jim Meehan ILLUSTRATIONS: Molly Quinn DESIGN: Madison McCord

Andy Mackimmie Coeur d’Alene Resort pro on playing the par-3 14th hole

See PROS’ TIPS, 11

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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

MAY 25, 2018

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FRIDAY

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SPECIAL 11

GOLF RYDER CUP

PROS’ TIPS Continued from 10

Poulter focusing on Ryder Cup, not FedEx

By Doug Ferguson ASSOCIATED PRESS

No. 16 MeadowWood

No. 17 Liberty Lake

No. 18 Twin Lakes

Long, tough and uphill at the end, No. 16 at MeadowWood is a handful, even for the longest hitters. The yardage (569 from the white tees) is only part of the challenge. Two nice shots still leave an uphill approach over the front bunker to a green with three distinct sections.

MeadowWood pro Bob Scott’s tip: This is one of the better par 5s in the Spokane area. Place your drive down the middle and it gives you a chance to clear the fairway bunker at the dogleg and leave you a short iron to the green. If you have to go to the right of the bunker, it will leave you a shot of 150-175 yards to an elevated green that’s hard to keep on the putting surface. A threetiered green makes this hole just that much tougher.

There’s a reason this is Liberty Lake’s secondtoughest hole by handicap.

The tee shot must scale a hill and have some heat on it to reach the ideal spot in the fairway. The hole bends gently left and approaches, often from the 165-200 range, are aimed at a slightly angled, back-to-front sloped green. Misses right often settle in a gaping bunker.

Liberty Lake pro Kit DeAndre’s tip: A difficult, uphill par 4. A tee shot to the top of the hill leaves you with a mid- to long-iron shot to a bunker-protected green.

The Dream 18 closes in style with yet another long, demanding par 4. The tee shot encounters multiple obstacles, with a tree in the fairway, a pond to the right and a mound on the left that can kick balls OB. Twin Lakes pro Kathy Brown’s tip: This is a great finishing hole. Shorter hitters will want to hit it up the right side to avoid the large tree in the middle of the fairway, being mindful of the water on the right. If you are a longer hitter, taking it over the tree should put you in the center of the fairway and leave you a shorter shot into the green.

DON’T MISS Catch Jim Meehan’s weekly golf column on Saturdays in The Spokesman-Review.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Ian Poulter has his eye on a cup in September, and it’s the one that doesn’t pay a dime.

Poulter certainly cares about the FedEx Cup, which starts with getting to the Tour Championship for a shot at the $10 million bonus.

But he’ll be spending most of his summer at home in England playing on the European Tour, which will cost him in the FedEx Cup. What matters is playing in the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2014. The Ryder Cup is the last week of September in France.

“There’s an event late September which means a lot to me, and obviously I’m going to want to put myself in that position,” Poulter said. “I’m going to base myself in Europe for the summer. I’ll come back and play the U.S. Open, and I want to stay in that top 30, and I want to move up. But I’m not looking at it that I have to do it. I’ve put too much emphasis on that in the past trying to make push-and-runs to get in.”

It’s easy for Poulter to say it’s not important to make the Tour Championship, because he’s never made it there. He was never closer than in 2009, when he hit into the water on the 18th hole at Cog Hill in Lemont, Illinois, and wound up finishing 31st in the FedEx Cup by less than a half-point.

“I get enough abuse from the week in, week out that I’ve never made it there, so if I don’t make it, I don’t make it,” Poulter said. “But I would like to play, obviously, in the Ryder Cup in September.”

The Players Championship last year started his revival.

Poulter thought he had lost his PGA Tour card when he failed to make enough money playing on a medical exemption from a foot injury. He got through on a clerical error, then tied for second at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, which was worth $924,000.

He wound up 46th in the FedEx Cup. Then, he won the Houston Open

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ian Poulter won the Houston Open in April.

Ryder Cup points AS OF 5/21

United States 1. Patrick Reed 2. Justin Thomas 3. Dustin Johnson 4. Jordan Spieth 5. Bubba Watson 6. Rickie Fowler 7. Brooks Koepka

Europe 1. Tyrrell Hatton 2. Justin Rose 3. Jon Rahm 4. Ross Fisher 5. Matthew Fitzpatrick 6. Tommy Fleetwood 7. Paul Dunne 8. Rory McIlroy

this spring for his first PGA Tour title in more than five years.

“I definitely think it was a huge part of 2017 for me,” he said. “Just to be told I was exempt to play was a huge bonus, and obviously to then kick on from that and play well, finishing runner-up, enabled me to go back to Europe and play a bit more and really kind of work on a schedule.”

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A MINISTRY OF THE DIOCESE OF SPOKANE

SPECIAL 12

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FRIDAY

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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

MAY 25, 2018

GOLF

‘‘

My back side is like a par-3 course.

There’s so many good ones.”

Mark Gardner Pro at Qualchan on choosing the par 3s for the “Dream 18”

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

At 611 yards, the par-5 fifth at Hangman Valley is the longest hole on the list.

MEEHAN Continued from 5 on the front nine was met with wistful glances at worthy holes left on the outside.

We gathered one morning at Qualchan to finalize the Dream 18 minus Morton, who was busy overseeing the Idaho 4A state tournament at StoneRidge. He previously emailed his selections.

We tried to do our homework.

“I did it twice,” Prugh said. “It took about 45 minutes each time. I didn’t look at my first list, I gave myself four or five days and did my second one and it was completely different.”

Welcome to our world.

Each of us understood that no matter what we settled on, it was going to prompt a swift rebuke from a buddy, colleague or readers once this article was printed. I considered starting a pool on which pro or pal I would hear

from first.

If we met again tomorrow, there's no doubt we would make a few revisions. I second-guessed myself on the drive home from our meeting all the way up to typing this sentence. Everybody has a different take on what hole constitutes their golf nirvana.

As you can imagine, it took flexibility, several rewrites and plenty of give-and-take trying to piece it all together. We’d lean strongly toward a certain hole, only to reconsider when it meant another jewel wasn’t going to make the final cut.

The pros’ knowledge of holes on every course is impressive to hear firsthand. They were fair-minded, to the point that several times they backed holes that eventually replaced prime candidates at their own courses.

The longest deliberations were probably over two front-side par 5s, No. 8 and

No. 9. On the back, it took some time to whittle down the par 3s and choose from nine potential No. 16s, 10 possible No. 17s and 11 prospective No. 18s.

I wince that holes like No. 8 at Indian Canyon, No. 11 at Avondale, No. 12 at Qualchan and No. 18 at Deer Park aren’t on the Dream 18, but would argue that a second-team Dream 18 or honorable mention would still form one hell of a course.

The end goal was to have fun with it and highlight special holes that we can all play. A tip of the cap to the pros: We mixed in a lot of laughs while discussing the best holes Spokane has to offer.

As we reached the finish line after nearly an hour, Nelke looked over and made a request: “Please emphasize how tough this was.”

Nods, all around.

Now, where’s the mute button on my phone? Just in case I can’t find it, here’s Ralph’s email …