Minot Country Club, Minot, North Dakota ? a Classic Woodlands Golf Course Opened in 1929

The Minot Country Club dates back to 1929 when the course opened, and is a classic northwoods layout designed by Tom Vardon. Minot Country Club is primarily a woodlands course, with mature hardwoods and 50-foot evergreens lining its fairways, with water coming into play on only a couple holes. The semi-private course is relatively flat and is said to be very well-maintained.

The 18-hole, par-72 course plays to only 6,586 yards from the longest tees, with a USGA rating of 71.2 and a slope rate of 124 on Bluegrass fairways and Bent grass greens. Along with some narrow fairways, the greens are perhaps the biggest challenge on this course. They're small, fast and hard to hit in regulation.

Some of the most noteworthy holes include No. 3, a par-4 that plays to 413 yards from the back tees and ranks as the #1 handicap hole on the course. This dogleg right is fairly typical of the challenges at Minot Country Club, where trees are the primary hazard. A tee shot to the left is called for on this hole, followed by an approach shot to a narrow green guarded by a greenside bunker that can capture shots that miss left.

Hole No. 7 is the signature hole at Minot Country Club. This par-3 plays to 203 yards from the longest tees, and features a tiny green that's guarded by bunkers left and right. The green also slopes slightly from the back to the front, adding to the challenge of a well-placed tee shot.

Hole No. 11 is a short par-4 and one of the few holes where water comes into play. The hole plays to only 389 yards from the back tees, but the water may intimidate some golfers, even though the forced carry is only 120 yards. From there it's another approach shot to a small, challenging green that features two hog backs, making it tough to score well on this hole.

The finishing hole at Minot Country Club has been referred to by female golfers at the club as "the hole from hell.'' The par-5 plays to 505 yards from the back tees and features a fairly wide fairway, but the challenge comes from the prevailing winds that tend to be blustery. A decision also follows on the second shot, which is to either lay up short of a gully or go for a small, two-tiered green in two. Any shots that miss long, right or left are typically "in jail,'' hidden by the evergreens that surround the green.

Minot Country Club has been highly rated over the years, including being rated the 3rd "Best Public Course'' in the state by Golf Digest in 1996, and 5th best in 1997-98.

Practice facilities at the club include a driving range with grass teeing area, as well as a short-game practice area with a green and sand bunker. The club also features a clubhouse with a pro shop, restaurant, snack bar and full bar.