Links at Moses Pointe

For the last hour before you get there, you’ll see enough barren brownness to make the lush green of Moses Pointe feel like another planet. Perched on the shore of Moses Lake, these Scottish-style links flow smoothly with the rolling undulations that characterize the expansive farmland in central Washington. Despite a relative lack of rainfall, the course is notorious for being in peak condition no matter what time of year. A smattering of trees open up panoramic views of the distant Cascades, the perfect backdrop to the meticulously manicured fairways and bent grass greens. The decision to open and close with par 5s seems like a no-brainer in Golf Design 101: Give players the best opportunity to start and end their round with a birdie, and you’ll keeping them coming back for more. At 431 yards from the blues, the 8th hole gives you an idea of the standard length of a PGA Tour par 4. The heart rate elevates a bit with a water hazard guarding the approach to the 9th green. Well-placed drives are a must on the back, leading to some indecisive moments on the tee, which only adds to the intrigue of the course. With firm, glassy putting surfaces and tall native grasses swallowing errant tee shots, Moses Pointe can be a testy bugger but accuracy and a soft touch will lead to good scores. If it’s been awhile since you’ve played there, recent developments demand that you make the trip again. The course added GPS technology to every cart, which also allows you to order food and beverages as you approach the clubhouse. A recent renovation project added 34 new bunkers and expanded 10 existing traps. The course is also working on lengthening the par 4 13th into a par 5, which will be complete for spring of 2008.

Best Hole The par 4 11th is a classic risk-reward scenario, a short par 4 that tempts you to cut the corner and grab your putter while you’re still on the tee.

• Address: 4524 Westshore Drive, Moses Lake, WA 98837
• Yardage: par 71; 7,270 (Black); 6,673 (Blue); 6,154 (White); 5,631 (Red)
• Rates: $44-$54
• Web: www.mosespointe.com
• Tel: 866-764-2275

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6. North Bellingham

Among architect Ted Locke’s creations are the second 18 at Eagle’s Talon, the par 3 course at Willows Run, the splendid Redwoods in Langley, BC, and the highly underrated North Bellingham, opened in July 1995. With a budget of just $2.2 million, Locke worked his way around scattered wetlands and the limits of a proposed housing development, which has progressed beyond the drawing boards but not the courts. “Devising the routing was a bit of a puzzle,” says Locke. “As well as the wetlands and planned development, two major oil/gas pipelines run through the site which further complicated matters.” In an effort to generate a genuine linksy feel, Locke wisely moved very little dirt and left most of the green entrances open. “There wasn’t much vegetation and it was pretty flat. But there was just enough undulation in the ground to build an interesting course. And given the open, ranch-like nature of the property, it made sense to create a course that emulates a links.” Among the best holes on the front nine are the dogleg left, par 4 4th, where you take on as much of a large pond with the tee shot as you dare, and the par 5 6th which twists and turns in the true links fashion, provoking furrowed brows among first-time visitors who stand on the tee and ponder what might be the best line. “I know a lot of people don’t really like that hole because the driving area is obscured somewhat,” says Locke. “But it’s a bit different and I think it’s fun and interesting.”

Best Hole On the back nine, the tough par 4 13th and excellent par 5 17th, where long hitters who carry twin fairway bunkers can have a crack at the green in two, are outstanding.

• Address: 205 W Smith Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226-961
• Yardage: par 72; 6816 (blues) 6,179 (whites) 5,160 (red)
• Rates: $29-$43
• Web: www.northbellinghamgolf.com
• Tel: (360) 398-8300