Montana masterpiece

Missoula hardly qualifies as a true golf destination. But since the recent opening of Phantom Hills Golf Club, this energetic city of almost 60,000 has suddenly become a must stop for golfers on their way to sample the wonderful smorgasbord of courses in the Flathead Valley or test their mettle on the nationally renown Old Works course in Anaconda.

“Play has definitely picked up this season,” said David Owens, the first-year head professional at Phantom Hills, which opened as the Phantom Links Golf Club in the fall of 2003. “More people seem to be learning about us – especially those from out of town, who are on their way to Flathead or the Old Works.”

I got my first look at the semi-private layout late last fall while on a media golf tour of the Flathead Valley. It was still operating as Phantom Links at the time, and I came away immensely impressed.

Built on a little over 200 treeless acres of what was once rolling farmland, the course – with the exception of its lush, green fairways – struck me as, perhaps, the most true Scottish links style course I have ever played.

The fairways, most of which offer expansive landing areas off any of the four sets of tees on each hole, are framed by light rough that transitions naturally into knee-high stands of native grasses, including niggling clumps of fescue. Water comes into play on several holes and the bunkering is every bit as creative as the design of the large, spectacularly manicured greens that feature waves of undulations.

Designed by Les Furber, Phantom Hills plays to a par of 72 and stretches to a formidable 7,030 yards from the back tees.

“It’s a tough golf course,” admitted Owens, “but people of all talent levels love it because it’s always in such great shape.”

There are no weak holes on the course, which unwinds beautifully and serenely against a backdrop of nearby pasture land and distant mountain ranges.

Among the best is the medium-length par-5 seventh, which features water down the left side of the fairway and in front of the green. The hole offers golfers the option of either crossing the water with a long iron or fairway metal on their second shot, setting up an approach of no more than 100 yards, or laying up short of the water in front of the putting surface and being faced with a longer approach shot of 130-150 yards.

“I think it’s just a fantastic hole,” Owens said. “It forces a golfer to hit a good shot at some point to cross the water, and it truly tests ever part of your game.”

Another gem is the par-5 second, which plays 520 yards from the back tees and, according to Owens, ranks as “one of the tightest driving holes in Western Montana.” The fairway, which is the narrowest on the course by far, falls offs off to the right and is lined by mounds covered with thick fescue.

“By hitting an iron off the tee, you can make a pretty easy five,” Owens explained. “But by hitting a driver, you bring six, seven or eight into play. It all depends on how much risk you’re willing to accept for a chance at making birdie.”

The long, 452-yard par-4 13th that doglegs to the right is another outstanding risk-reward hole. Long hitters willing to take an aggressive line off the tee can drive it over the mounds at the elbow of the dogleg and shorten the hole considerably – at the decided risk of losing a ball in the rough.

The more conservative approach is to stay left of the mounds, but such a play leaves a lengthy uphill approach to a tricky two-tied green.

“The hole forces you to hit really good golf shots in order to make par,” said Owens. “You just can’t bunt it around and make a four.”

The course, which is the first new layout to appear on the Missoula area golf scene since Larchmont opened in 1982, promises to become one of the region’s favorites.

Daily play greens fees are $35 on weekdays and $39 on weekends. The relatively flat terrain on which Phantom Hills sits makes it easy to walk, but riding carts are available for just $13 a seat.

The course, which is owned by Washington Development and managed by O.B. Sports Golf Management, also offers a hard-to-beat Senior Day special each Wednesday until noon, when golfers 55 years of age and older can purchase 18 holes of golf – with cart and range balls – for just $30.

There are three frequent play options available, including memberships, which start at $1,500 per individual. A season pass, which affords unlimited play, can be purchased for $750, or golfers can opt to purchase a $200 “Phantom card” that reduces greens fees by $19 for each round played.

The name of the course, according to Owens, was changed to make it relate more closely with the Phantom Hills housing subdivision being built around it.