Come early, play often

COLFAX – Still one of my favorite small-town courses, this tight, tree-lined layout that opened in 1927 stretches across a mere 40 acres abutting the usually benign Palouse River that was raging when we stopped by to play a quick nine holes.

Located in the Banana Belt, Colfax Golf Club serves as an early season destination for snow-bound golfers in the Spokane area, who can normally expect to play on some of the smallest, but best-maintained, greens on the nine-hole circuit we made.

Among the best holes is the short, 235-yard, risk-reward par-4 third that tempts even shorter hitters to go for the green. But two traps, devilishly placed in front of the putting surface, pinch the opening for anyone hoping to roll the ball on from the tee box.

And then there are those white stakes that close in quickly just to the left of the small, sloping green.

Another good real test is the 538-yard, par-5 seventh that plays over a feeder ditch to the river and requires an accurate long iron or fairway metal approach shot for anyone trying to get home in two.

          – Steve Bergum