Rolling hills offer good workout, surprising shots

TEKOA, Wash. – Of the six courses we played, Tekoa Golf Club offered the greatest elevation changes and proved to be a difficult challenge – as well as a tough hike – for the two guys who opted out of renting a cart.

The 5,380-yard layout was built in 1960 on 40 hilly acres just south of town, and offers a dizzying array of blind shots.

With a minimal number of trees and not one fairway bunker on the course, golfers are given the option of blasting away, without fear, from most of the longer holes.

One exception would be the 464-yard par-5 third that plays straightaway along a wheat field that eats up any tee shots that drift the least bit to the right.

Other good holes include the 285-yard par-4 second that features the only true dogleg – to the right – on the course, and plays to a relatively large green, and the difficult 365-yard ninth that stretch over some of most hilly terrain to a crazily sloped, and challenging, putting surface.

One several holes, including the 320-yard, par-4 first, golfers must simply trust there is a fairway over the hill, which can lead to some surprising lies once you locate your tee shot.

   – Steve Bergum