Wilderness at Fortune Bay

Set out on the Vermillion Lake Indian Reservation, the Wilderness at Fortune Bay layout first opened its door to visitors in 2004, when the fairways of this casino course were carved from an undulating, forested landscape with rocky outcrops featuring on a number of holes.

Texas-based architect Jeff Brauer – who already had a track record in Minnesota with the Quarry and Legend courses at Giant’s Ridge – was engaged to design the Wilderness layout and he chose to fashion the fairways as wide playing corridors, making an allowance for all levels of golfing ability.

The 540-yard 16th is a feature hole, where the fairway splits into an upper and lower deck, separated by a ridge of granite, with the left side looking the safer bet from the tee. This route requires a more difficult uphill approach shot to the postage stamp green, however, proving that it always pays to study the stroke saving guide in advance.