Turning Stone (Kaluhyat)

Of the three 18-hole golf courses at the Turning Stone Casino & Resort, the Kaluhyat is typically regarded as the toughest (the Tom Fazio-designed Atunyote and Rick Smith-designed Shenandoah are also options).

Part of this challenge comes in Robert Trent Jones II’s work to stretch the course for more than 7,100 yards around a series of six lakes on the property. And where there’s not a lake to swallow your ball? There’s usually a wetland.

The original Robert Trent Jones was responsible for the recreation of the famous “Channel” hole at the modern Lido municipal on Long Island, and the younger RTJ took a stab at it during No. 9 at Kaluhyat. Players who want the best angle in during this 450-yard par four will need to carry nearly 200 yards of marsh to reach the rightmost fairway. A safe tee shot to the left will require an awkward approach across a large cross bunker to a well-guarded green.

The Oneida word “Kaluhyat” translates to “the other side of the sky” but in many cases here players will be happy to find the other side of the water!