Rush Creek - Minnesota - USA

Rush Creek Golf Club is a Minneapolis public-access golf facility, which was designed by Bob Cupp and John Fought with the intention of hosting competitive events. And indeed it has, hosting three LPGA events as well as the 2004 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. That said, between Minnesota’s typical terrain and being the kind of course that can stand up to the professionals, everyday players should expect a stiff test when they arrive at Rush Creek.

Although players may feel the “rush” when taking on this well-watered route, the course is actually named for the primary species of aquatic plant that can be seen across the ponds and wetlands throughout the course. They’ll be on full display early in the round, when players try to skirt the lake on No. 2, which follows them all the way from tee to green, or at No. 14, a monstrous 490-yard par four where the wetlands lay along the right.

Although this style of hazard is much more familiar in modern layouts, astute course architecture enthusiasts might notice that the routing — with the front nine on the inside of the property, while the second nine wraps around the edge — is a very traditional concept indeed.