Muskogee

The following edited extract is from Christopher Closer’s The Midwest Associate: The Life and Work of Perry Duke Maxwell:

“The strength of Maxwell’s layout is the beginning sequence of holes and the use of the natural hazards on the site. The solid first is followed by the most difficult hole on the course, The long second is a slight dogleg left that goes downhill. The fairway rolls away and creates a hanging lie. The green is perched on a rise about 75 yards past the lowest point on the fairway.

The third hole as Maxwell originally designed it was a 550-yard par five that was a great risk-reward hole. The hole was eventually split into two holes to become a short par four and a par three, to make better use of the two ravines on the course. Holes four and five were then combined to make the new fifth hole. Since then, Tripp Davis has performed a renovation that included work on all the first six holes, except for the fifth.

The back nine also features some excellent holes. Three in particular stand out as the lake is the focus and Maxwell’s ingenuity at using hazards in a variety of ways is demonstrated. The tenth hole is the most famous hole, and perhaps the best on the course. The fairways slopes away towards the lake. Just past the fairway bunker at the corner of the dogleg the lie is downhill and the approach must clear the water.

Maxwell’s strength at routing a course was most evident with his layout of Muskogee. His use of the natural hazards was inspirational. A natural depression that ran through the course was the primary factor effecting the routing of several holes and the second nine holes were routed around the lakes of the course. Maxwell also implemented some new template holes including the masterful tenth. The course has often been one of the most overlooked courses in Maxwell’s portfolio.”