Fargo - North Dakota - USA

The Fargo Country Club is North Dakota’s oldest golf course and opened in 1916. Located on the Red River it is prone to flooding and has new and old levy’s providing some protection. The strength of this course are the greens.

The first hole is a slight dogleg left par 4 paralleling the river. Favor the right off the tee to avoid the bunker on the inside elbow. Also, the green seems to run away from you, best to hit one less club on the approach. The 2nd was my favorite hole and I didn’t even birdie it. A left to right slinging par 5, favor the left off the tee. Two exceptional shots will get you home but a three shotter for most mortals. The 3rd suckered most of our group in. Play smart, hit your tee shot 200-230 straight and have a short iron into the green. While you can clear the water hazard on the left you gain nothing. There is a creek that bisects the fairway about 70 yards out. The 4th is a mid-length par 3. While you have to clear the water hazard, it really should not come into play. The 5th is a slight bender left par. Possible to reach, but not easy. Relatively easy par 5. The 6th is a long par 4 that slides right and is the number 2 handicap hole. The short par 3 7th looks like a gimme on the scorecard. However, between bunkers and the water hazard the only real green light pin position is back right. The 8th and 9th are rather forgettable par fours. Favor the right off the tee on 8 and the left on 9.

On the 10th tee box, do not be surprised if you are confused. The par 4 drifts right and downhill in the landing area. You can drive through the fairway and have a precarious approach shot. Conversely, leave it too far right and the same applies. The 11th is a long right leaning par 5, followed up by a pedestrian par 3. The only real memorable thing about the 12th are the Hansel and Gretel bathrooms to the right of the tee box. The long par 4 13th is the toughest hole on the course. To improve your chances of getting home in two favor the left side. The next inward 5 holes parallel the river. Favor the left on the 14th to avoid dealing with the tree guarding the right approach. The 16th is the shortest par 4 and a dogleg right. It is a birdie oppty, but you do not have to get overly aggressive. The 17th is a decent par 5 with the river left death. The 18th, while rated as the number 3 handicap, is a pretty straight forward hole.

Fargo is not a golf mecca. While not great, Fargo CC is the best in the area