The Back Nine
The pond that fronts the green on the temptingly short par-4 tenth is filled with balls struck by pretenders rife with false bravado. Only the foolish convince themselves they can drive the green on this 289-yard backside opener—and most that try end up in either the pond in front or the wetlands behind. The tiny green is made for a high-lofted approach, more easily achieved when a mid-iron from the tee has been positioned in the slim fairway framed by a creek on the right.
Eleven is our last meadow-bound hole for a spell with a creek crossing the fairway and bunkers right and behind protecting yet another elevated green. At 365 yards most players will be hitting mid-irons to this shallow and challenging putting surface.
The 397-yard, uphill par-4 twelfth is MeadowCreek's signature hole. Known for a ponderosa pine that holds court in the middle of the fairway drive zone, this hole concludes at MeadowCreek's largest green—a two-tiered affair up hill from a creek with exciting putting possibilities. Players often aim at the sentinel pine, never expecting to hit it, knowing that ample room exists to either side on this wide fairway. Going right is the preferred route however, eliminating the pines to the left of the putting surface that have a tendency to complicate errant approach shots. Selected by Mountain West Golf Magazine as one of Idaho's Mean 18.
Thirteen is a beautiful par three where the creek that has meandered through the layout begins closest to a green site. Play from all the way back and 177 yards is your lot; move to the middle markers and you have fewer excuses given the 60 yard advantage.
The 408-yard, par-4 fourteenth commences at the height of land with a second shot featuring a significant drop from fairway to fairgreen. Enjoying the “best view” badge with seven, this lengthy test starts in the pines and ends in the grasslands, and offers huge ambience rewards to those who stop and appreciate the stunning natural surround of this awe-inspiring mountain environment.
Fifteen is a 443-yard double-dogleg par-5 with a pond to the right and a cluster of bunkers greenside.
Sixteen rewards a tee shot to the left, and the 353-yard, par-4 may be your last good chance at birdie.
Seventeen is another forested par-3, guarded by unforgiving pines and augmented by bunkers lurking about the green.
The closing hole shoots out of the forest with waterways directing safe play along the 531-yard, par-5 fairway. The final 120 yards is straight uphill, assuring a three-shot test for even the longest of ball strikers. Take enough club for the final stroke into a carpet embraced by mounding and a continued upslope between the green and the clubhouse.
With the ever-changing wind and weather the course will be different tomorrow. The knowledge gained today will be helpful, but MeadowCreek will don another face in the morning—part of the pleasure and perpetually changing demands of mountain golf.