30 of 70: Hangman Valley Golf Course, Spokane County, WA

View from just off the 16th green

 The Hangman Valley Golf Course, played on June 22nd, became one of our favorite courses along with Indian Canyon and Palouse Ridge. It is highly photogenic and Brenda had a great time taking pictures all over the place. As at Qualchan, which is just down the road from Hangman, Latah Creek meanders throughout the course adding not only beauty but a fair amount of challenge. The front nine starts in a mild fashion with two fairly straightforward holes if one understands that both tee shots are blind shots. Number 3 offers a challenging first crossing of Latah Creek and demands a long and well placed drive.

Number 5, which is probably the signature hole, is considered the most difficult on this course and plays at 610 yards from a lovely elevated tee comparable only to the 16th hole which also plays from a similar elevation to an elevated green some 604 yards away. These types of holes make the game challenging and exciting but other holes, such as number 10, may be more challenging to the average golfer, since on that hole, the tee shot must again cross Latah Creek but the angle is such that it feels more like the crossing of a gorge. That tee shot has to carry over 200 yards just to reach the fairway, a daunting task for most senior golfers like me.

 My favourite holes on the back nine were 11 and 17, both par 3's. The first one is rather pretty and would have been prettier had the water falls been running. It is also a challenging par 3 over water to an elevated green. Brenda managed her usual par on a par three. I, on the other hand registered a three putt for a bogey. Off the tee box, we had time to observe a deer feeding on some foliage. 17, a long par 3 rewarded me with a birdie which was the highlight of my round. Without disclosing our scores, which shall remain a state secret, as mentioned previously, I once again applaud Brenda's victory.