Whitefish Lake (North)

John Steidel designed a simple nine-hole loop in Whitefish, Montana during the ‘80s, however the growing population and tourist desirability of the region brought him back a decade later in order to add 27 new holes to the property. The property now includes both the South Course, consisting of 18 new holes, and the North Course, which added nine new holes during the architect’s second visit.

The North course does not have the waterfront property of the South course but its routing may be all the more “wild” for it. The fairways here zip in between rows of pine forest, which hide golfers from what is realistically a relatively crowded area, and far-off mountains are visible throughout the round. That said, those who prefer the domestic pleasure of stopping for drinks and snacks between halves may prefer the North, which returns to the clubhouse after nine (unlike the South), before heading back out into the woods.

Combining the South and the North Course at Whitefish Lake makes for a fun day of golf in a region better known for its outdoor endeavours.