Fossil Trace

The idea of a tree in the middle of the fairway is a controversial one among passionate golf course architecture enthusiasts, and many designers fight property owners tooth-and-nail to trim back the obstacles. Consider then that Engh prevented ownership from removing the tall opponents from his fairway at No. 12...and that it wasn’t actually a tree, but a pillar of sandstone.

The architect believed it and the other rocks jutting out around the green at Fossil Trace lent to the history of the property, both in its role in the mining industry and as a former stomping ground for dinosaurs (literally...there are triceratops footprints preserved within the rock wall behind the green at No. 12).

Consider also the gap between the longest and shortest holes on the course: 563 yards. The No. 8 hole stretches for more than 659 from the back tees and the shortest plays to just 96...even cubs can play from the tiger tees on that one.

In short, Fossil Trace is both flavorful and edgy. Like the history that owners sought to preserve in their golf course, Jim Engh would not let his personality be forgotten at Fossil Trace.