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Golf North Dakota

Hawktree got the #19 spot on Golf Digest’s list of top 100 public courses in the entire nation! Nobody’s going to be claiming North Dakota as a golf Mecca any time soon, but if you leave your clubs at home when you go there, you’ll be doing yourself a great disservice. Like her population, most every course in North Dakota is found in either Fargo or Bismarck. Both towns are right on I-94, which is the interstate crossing from east to west. Bismarck was built upon a river, the mighty Missouri. Carved by glaciers long ago, this rugged land and the prevailing winds make for a challenging course and a place of surreal beauty against that landscape.

Designed by native son and 4-time national award winner James Engh, Hawk tree is a must-play course. Engh works his visionary magic to its fullest in this challenging vertical course, distilling the beauty to its purest form, while demanding that you put forth your very best as well. From all accounts, this is an immaculately kept world-class course that just happens to be located in Bismarck, ND. Players from around the world, including industry professionals, have said that it is the best course they’ve ever played. With 7,085 par-72 yards , a course rating of 74.6 and a slope rating of 135, that very well just may be true. Imagine an 80 foot climb up to the 3rd hole. The 18th hole has you driving 150 yards uphill and possibly into the wind. . Sounds torturous, but with 4 tees, it’s actually quite playable, just challenging. We’ll leave you with this testimonial: "…I have played courses around the world (Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and throughout the USA) and I think Hawktree is the finest. The black sand traps are outstanding, the landscape is perfect, the greens are well placed, and the links style fairways are challenging. What more could a golfer ask for? “Kent J. Burkhardsmeier, Canberra Australia.

Hawktree certainly makes for a hard act to follow, but there actually are other courses in North Dakota. If you’re in touring mode, the 18-hole par-72 "Links of North Dakota" for example, offers up 7,092 yards, a course rating is 73.5 and a slope rating of 126. This unique course begins with a farm and barn setting, but no one could ever consider the course sedate, and some of the Alta vistas are prairie-breathtaking. The trek is a ways north of the interstate, off the beaten path, but if the purpose is golf, the destination is, after all, the journey.

Fargo offers up the 18-hole Edgewood Municipal and Rose Creek public courses. For a shorter play, the 9-hole Al Gazal, Ozgood and Prairiewood courses are also open to the public. Additionally, there is Oxbow, a private membership country club with non-resident memberships available.

At the west end of the state is the popular (and #1 ranking) Bully Pulpit in Medora, the Badlands region of North Dakota. This 18-hole "Bully" course features 7,166 par-72 yards. Designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, the course opened in 2004. An affordable course placed along the Little Missouri River, it provides pleasant experience, and the opportunity to enjoy the Teddy Roosevelt National Park, as well as the other entertainment and attractions of the region.

The game of golf is alive and well everywhere, but few would have anticipated it thriving so well in North Dakota. Plan a drive through if you’re able, or bring your clubs with if you should fly in to Bismarck. There’s at least one great course there with your name on it!