Page 61 - PureMontana // 2016

MISSOULA & THE BITTERROOT
HOLE IN ONE
These wide-open lands are good for ranching... but some might say they’re bet- ter for gol ng
Play the Stock Farm Club golf course, in Hamilton, for the round of your life. Recently ranked by Golf Digest as the best course in Montana, it unfolds over 7,000 yards of rolling, manicured, kelly-green land. Legendary architect Tom Fazio created something that feels so natural, and incorporates Montana’s features so seamlessly that you might just believe that the universe made the land this way. Let’s take a closer look at the 18 glorious holes.
e rst hole is a straightforward par-four. A large bunker guards a left- to-right fairway and two-tiered green. e second hole’s tiered shot gives the impression of a generous landing area, but a large ravine cuts between the multi- tiered green. Hole 3, another par four, requires a well-placed drive to a far-o
peninsula green. But don’t go too long— the green sits high above a steep drop- o . e fourth hole faces the Sapphire Mountains. You’ll need to place your tee shot from the elevated tree on the left side to access the protected green. Careful—there’s a small creek just short of the green.
e fth hole is the longest par-three on the course, and hole six is the longest par- ve on the course. It plays 615 yards from the championship tees across a slop- ing fairway that sends shots to the left. e seventh hole is an uphill par-three for which you’ll want to club up. Next, hole eight, a dogleg-left par- ve, which also plays uphill. A big lake on the left is a hazard, and golfers who tend to hit long might want to aim left, cut o some yardage, and go for the green in two. e ninth hole is a long par-four that plays into a breeze from an elevated green.
Hole ten, a par-four, is one of the most picturesque. A deceptively roomy fair- way slips into a green that sits partially hidden. On the next hole, 11, pin place- ment is the name of the game. e 12th
hole is a par-three downhill that gives way to serene pastures. is shot is all carry, so bring some club—and don’t hit it short. 11 is followed by the most beau- tiful hole of the course, a dogleg-right par- ve that plays back toward the ree Sister/ Como peaks. A generous fairway catches errant tee shots, and a deep green slopes severely. Hole 14 is beautiful but tough. e par-four requires a great tee shot to clear the large bunker left. Your second shot will play uphill to a bowl- shaped green.
Now you’re on the home stretch. At number 15, a short, dogleg-right par- four, you’ll want to hit a straight tee shot. at’ll set you up to nail the shal- low, sloping green. e 16th hole is a short, uphill par- ve that puts up a good ght. Second to last, 17 is a tight, short par-three lined with Ponderosa pines. It requires pin-point accuracy. Say adieu to this wonderful course with a classic gun- sight hole that provides the best views of the day. A severely elevated tee helps the up-down-up play longer than it really is. You’ve got this.
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Don’t let the beautiful views distract you from your perfect shot. PHOTO COURTESY STOCK FARM