"Whatever you can do I can do better," thus demonstrated Rees Jones, a noted architect in his own right, to his "founding" father, Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

Known as the Green Course, opened in 1991, this sister course in the Golden Horseshoe "stable" really offers a contrasting style to the relatively shorter Gold course. Although the Green Course is longer, over 300 yards overall, its width is more forgiving. However, a tree, is a tree, is a tree. In fact, when I play courses like the Green Course, as I tee off, the never-ending theme in my brain begins with the phrase, "knock, knock." I'm sure you can fill in the blanks.

I was really awestruck by the classic style, setup and beauty Mother Nature had to offer, as I (my golf ball) decided to explore every nook and cranny of the parts of the course that probably haven't seen the light of day for many moons. One such experience occurred on the 14th hole. I hit what seemed to be a great drive that had a final roll "right into the edge of the woods." As I bent down to retrieve my ball, I heard a noise. At first I thought it was a bird or squirrel in the trees. I found I was not alone. I had startled a deer only 30 feet away. To my astonishment, the deer emitted a "hissing" sound, jumped up, turned "tail," and we both started running in opposite directions. Some balls are better left unclaimed you can say.

Perhaps one of the most amazing aspects of this spectacular layout are the deceptively long, par 3 holes. The 7th hole in particular appears to be downhill from an elevated tee perspective, but actually plays to a "sea level" iron shot. What a great optical illusion as I soon discovered. Add two clubs to the yardage to get there.

All good things must come to an end, but the 18th, par 5, hole, is truly remarkable. As I placed the ball on its final resting-place (tee), I felt a slight twinge of trepidation – actually fear.

Just imagine 531 yards uphill with the initial carry of 240 yards over a 50-yard wide ravine, 100 feet deep, encased with brush and water. Since the ladies tee was situated to the left and past the carry, my only thought was "just let me make it to the ladies tee." Once accomplished, the next shot was straight up hill to a narrowing fairway with a right side sand trap and trees on both sides to spice it up. Oh, did I mention, the clubhouse overlooked this hole, where everybody had a Birdseye view from start to finish. I'm not sure if I was more intimidated by the hole, or the spectators enjoying a good laugh.

When all was said and done, the "green" I forked out to play the "Green," was money well spent. I was truly "green with envy."

from Ladies Golf Journey - Aug/Sep 2002