165
THE RANCH
Golf and Country Club
PAR 4 439/350 yD
Acheson, AB
780.470.4700
www.theranchgolf.com
A dogleg right, The Ranch Golf and Country Club's hole 18,
which measures 439 yards from the back tees, is one of the
toughest tests of golf in Alberta. From the tee, you look out to a
narrow fairway with water along the right side and laterally, on
the left, coniferous and deciduous trees running the length of
the fairway.
If your tee shot wasn't intimidating enough, the approach must
carry more than 170 yards over water while avoiding a series of
bunkers that protect the back to front sloping green. You might
be inclined to play this unique hole from an alternative set of tees,
as the fairway is split along the right of the water.
From the alternative back tees it measures 350 yards, so if you're
a long hitter feel free to pull out the driver in hopes of a possible
birdie, but be careful as the landing area is small and a creek
protects the green. The smart play here is to lay up to 100 yards,
wedge in below the hole, and then trust your putting. A shot
above the hole can easily become a three-putt.
18
Photograph by Agnieszka Clarke
