Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, Stateline, Nevada - Described as One of the Most Scenic Golf Courses in the World

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't heard of Lake Tahoe, which was discovered in 1844 and whose name comes from the Washo Indian word for "big water.'' At the turn of the century, the settlement became Friday's Station, a stage line for Wells Fargo and the Pony Express. Eventually, that gave way to the Edgewood Tahoe Resort, but it wasn't until golf was added in 1968 that the destination really took off.

The Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is set along the south shore of Lake Tahoe and has been described as one of the most scenic golf courses in the world. The original course was designed by George Fazio, the uncle of legendary course architect Tom Fazio, and features a simple, yet elegant, layout. The elder Fazio incorporated the area's natural wetlands, stately pine trees, brooks and the lake itself to craft his design, while the younger Fazio has been called upon over the years to renovate and tweak the layout. The course sits 6,000 feet above sea level, providing some spectacular Sierra Mountains scenery.

In addition to the scenery, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course can also play as one of the most challenging courses in the country. The 18-hole, par-72 course plays up to a staggering 7,445 yards from the "Gold Pine Cone'' tees, with a USGA rating of 75.5 and a slope rating of 144. When the course played host to the 1985 U.S. Senior Open, only the winner, Miller Barber, managed to score under par for the tournament. For the average golfer, the course plays to a much more manageable 6,335 yards from the "Silver Pine Cone'' tees, with a 70.2 rating and a slope rating of 131.

Just about every hole on the course could be a signature hole, but some of the most noteworthy holes include No. 2, a picturesque par-4 that plays to 417 yards from the longest tees. Bodies of water sit right and left off the tee box, and the left hazard dwindles to a brook that follows the entire hole past a long, narrow green.

Hole No. 6 is another favorite on the course. This par-4 plays to 442 yards from the back tees and bends to the right around a lake. Tee shots play to a narrowing fairway and approach shots take aim at a green well-guarded by a large bunker on the left and several pot bunkers at the rear and right.

The home stretch on the course features three holes that have been said to take a golfer's breath away. Hole No. 16 is a par-5 that plays up to 564 yards as it bends down towards Lake Tahoe. Nearer the green, the landing area and putting surface are guarded by a distinctive, U-shaped series of bunkers.

Hole No. 17 is perhaps the most famous on the course. This par-3 plays to 207 yards from the back tees, but only 147 from the forward men's tees. The hole plays directly along Lake Tahoe's shoreline and calls for a carry over a waste area to a wide green guarded by a huge bunker in front and two more behind. When the wind is blowing, this hole can be one of the more intimidating in the region.

Over the years, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course has received a good deal of acclaim. Not only have publications such as Golf Digest ranked the course among America's Top Golf Courses, but the venue has also been host to the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship since 1990.

The resort also features a beautiful clubhouse built like an Alpine chateau, with two graduated levels to provide the best views of the area. Brook's Bar & Deck offers more casual dining fare, while the Edgewood Restaurant provides a more elegant atmosphere.