Pine Ridge Golf Club

Nestled within the storied pines of Gull Lake, Pine Ridge Golf Club has offered a rigorously engaging round of golf since its inception in 1924. Crafted by the eminent Donald Ross, its 18 holes stretch over a landscape that demands precision and rewards strategic thinking, particularly given the 6,500 yards of tree-lined fairways and cunning elevation shifts.

The course's historical backbone is complemented by its functional challenges, none more talked about than the 5th hole — a par 3 that plummets dramatically, requiring a keen club selection to manage a green zealously guarded by bunkers. It’s a hole that exemplifies Ross’s knack for using the natural topography to confound the overconfident golfer.

For those new to Pine Ridge, a tip worth noting is the approach on the 14th, a demanding par 5 where water hazards loom large. Here, laying up is not an act of timidity but of tactical prudence, allowing for a safer shot at the green.

Pine Ridge is not a course that dazzles with unnecessary adornments but rather with its steadfast commitment to a pure golfing challenge. It's a course where every stroke is earned, and perhaps, that’s the allure that keeps serious golfers returning.