Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
The Takeaway: Overgrown trees cloud design features at Missoula CC and make it challenging to enjoy at times. The biggest highlight by far is the par three 17th along the Bitterroot River, but the rest of the course leaves little to make the trip for. Grade C-
Quick Facts
Designer: Frank James 1949, Robert Muir Graves 1977, John Steidel 1987 (two holes)
Cost: Private
Phone Number: 406-251-2751
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Missoula Country Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 3850 Old U.S. Highway 93, Missoula, Montana 59804 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of Missoula Country Club
Similar Courses:
What to Expect: Situated along the Bitterroot River and founded as the city's oldest course, the Missoula Country Club is an old school layout with tight fairways and overgrown trees. Getting on the proper side of the fairway is critical at times just to have an unobstructed view at the green, so accuracy is at a major premium. The terrain is mostly flat but has a couple of places that see movement, the most significant being at the 17th hole that plays downhill to a green flanked by the river. In fact, the 17th is easily the highlight of the course that is otherwise full of mostly forgettable holes. The course is an easy walk, though like most country clubs in the Rocky Mountain West, you'll find most patrons in carts. In the end, Missoula is a nice little country club, but not among the top tier courses in the Treasure State.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 71 | 6742 | 71.3 | 128 |
| Blue | 71 | 6406 | 70.5 | 126 |
| White | 71 | 5978 | 68.0 | 124 |
| Red (Ladies) | 71 | 5503 | 71.5 | 131 |
| Gold | 71 | 3502 | ||
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 17th Hole – 173 Yard Par 3 – By far the most intriguing and picturesque hole at Missoula Country Club, the 17th is flanked by the Bitterroot River on the right and drops 20 feet from tee to green. Accuracy and distance control are mandatory to succeed here with bunkers on either side of the putting surface and a tier in the front third.
Best Par 3: 2nd Hole – 197 Yards – A one-shotter that plays to a raised green with a Redan-like bunker on the inside left of the putting surface. Pins in the back left are challenging to get close to while pins on the right should be a green light to attack.
Best Par 4: 13th Hole – 405 Yards – A solid dogleg right, the 13th is highlighted by the approach shot to a green pinched in front by a pair of bunkers and the iconic water tower looming in the background.
Best Par 5: 18th Hole – 529 Yards – The finisher runs parallel to the Bitterroot River with the driving range separating the fairway from the water. Tee shots that split the tree lined fairway will have a good look at reaching the green in two; but the trio of bunkers around the putting surface need to be avoided.
Birdie Time: 1st Hole – 368 Yard Par 4 – A peculiar opening hole, but one that can be taken advantage of, the 1st at Missoula CC features one of the more inviting tee shots at the course. A drive up the right side will have an easy look at the green while going up the left side will contend with a tree that overhangs and blocks half of the green from being accessible. Keep it right and then go pinseeking.
Bogey Beware: 14th Hole – 426 Yard Par 4 – From the tee the 14th doesn't seem like anything to worry about as the fairway plays straightaway, but getting to the green is when things change. The putting surface slopes hard from right to left which makes some precarious approach shots and putts to contend with.
