Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
Brian Clark
Lewiston
2023-08-20
$56 (cart included), played on Saturday, July 2023 at 2:00pm
Swampfire GC is the last of the four (4) courses we play here and it sure lived up to its name. Having some type of water coming into play on the first eleven (11) holes make you hesitant on just "Grip & Rip" each shot and more on targeting. I was glad that we were playing this as a "4 Man Scramble" because finding the short grass was a real team effort. The designer Ron Otto made good use of winding around the many swamps and ponds on this layout that took the place of sand traps on the other three (3) courses. Having five (5) tees from Black @ 6,881yd / 74.3 / 143 down to Reds @ 4,676yd / 68.4 / 123 on this narrow swamp/trees Par 36/36 layout. The Front 9 #2 hole a Par 5 is a sweeping right 553yds Hpc 3 with nothing but water on the righthand edge, so stay left. The #4 is their Hcp 1 Par 4 at 439-315yds with a narrow winding fairway bordered by water, tee to green. The #8 is a double dogleg Par 5 at 503yds with water in front a small round but elevated green, no trap needed here. The #9 is a 199-140yd all water carry (same as #3 hole) to a much larger green on this Hcp 11 Par 3. The Back 9 starts out with a 532-444yd Par 5 that has a 70yd carry pond about 180yds out from the green, making that 2nd shot a real decision maker. The #12 Par 4 at 443-348yds is their Hcp 2 as its nothing but narrow, sweeping left fairway to a very small elevated green with front traps. The #15 is a sweeping right 383yd Par 4 that needs 220yd drive to view the green on this Hcp 4 hole. The #18 Par 4 at 442-352yds is no easy finishing hole from the Black/Blue tees and the green is raised and very narrow that rejects badly any missed approach shots. We hit every green in regulation but landing in the wrong spots had us making only five (5) birdies. We played from the Whites @ 6,146yd / 70.3 / 133 but if I was playing my ball it would be from the Golds @ 5,617yd / 68.4 / 122 Great course and conditions today and was glad we played all four (4) courses during our stay here.
Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Best course in the area
Condition of Course, Food/ Bar facilities, Difficulty, Ambiance, Staff, Layout, No Houses on Course, Clubhouse
$56 (cart included), played on Saturday, July 2023 at 2:00pm
Swampfire GC is the last of the four (4) courses we play here and it sure lived up to its name. Having some type of water coming into play on the first eleven (11) holes make you hesitant on just "Grip & Rip" each shot and more on targeting. I was glad that we were playing this as a "4 Man Scramble" because finding the short grass was a real team effort. The designer Ron Otto made good use of winding around the many swamps and ponds on this layout that took the place of sand traps on the other three (3) courses. Having five (5) tees from Black @ 6,881yd / 74.3 / 143 down to Reds @ 4,676yd / 68.4 / 123 on this narrow swamp/trees Par 36/36 layout. The Front 9 #2 hole a Par 5 is a sweeping right 553yds Hpc 3 with nothing but water on the righthand edge, so stay left. The #4 is their Hcp 1 Par 4 at 439-315yds with a narrow winding fairway bordered by water, tee to green. The #8 is a double dogleg Par 5 at 503yds with water in front a small round but elevated green, no trap needed here. The #9 is a 199-140yd all water carry (same as #3 hole) to a much larger green on this Hcp 11 Par 3. The Back 9 starts out with a 532-444yd Par 5 that has a 70yd carry pond about 180yds out from the green, making that 2nd shot a real decision maker. The #12 Par 4 at 443-348yds is their Hcp 2 as its nothing but narrow, sweeping left fairway to a very small elevated green with front traps. The #15 is a sweeping right 383yd Par 4 that needs 220yd drive to view the green on this Hcp 4 hole. The #18 Par 4 at 442-352yds is no easy finishing hole from the Black/Blue tees and the green is raised and very narrow that rejects badly any missed approach shots. We hit every green in regulation but landing in the wrong spots had us making only five (5) birdies. We played from the Whites @ 6,146yd / 70.3 / 133 but if I was playing my ball it would be from the Golds @ 5,617yd / 68.4 / 122 Great course and conditions today and was glad we played all four (4) courses during our stay here.