If you are making a trip to play Wine Valley in Walla Walla, WA set aside some time to play the back nine at Milton Freewater Golf Course.
It is municipal executive length course located hard against the MF High School and football field just across the Oregon border south of Walla Walla. Maybe 20 minutes. The course was built in two stages. Bunny Mason did the original nine, but I didn't catch the name of the architect of the newer hilltop back nine. I'll find out next year.
The back nine is my find of the year, and for this popcorn hitter is one of the better tests, especially if the wind is up. It is on my annual play list. Good pucker factor. I would suggest finding the course on Bing maps or equivalent and birds-eye using the compass function
The front nine is straightforward golf, small circular greens, tree lined fairways, mundane bunkering and an inviting lake if you pull your tee shot on the fifth. If you are short of time play the first three or four holes
Next to the fourth.tee is a steep cart ath heading up the hill to the water tank and the back side.
The greens have just enough contour.
The path heads up this hill, picture taken from the pro shop. The trail starts at the bridge and hairpins up to the right
When you get to the top the 10th tee (and 17th tee) is to the right of the cart path.
Hole 10
Par 4, 222 yards. Green hidden from view with a slight dogleg left so just aim for the far trees, resist the temptatation to smother hook and don't expect much roll.
#10 the line of charm is one tree right of the right "edge" of the tank.
The view of the 10th green from about 50 yards out shows some nice contours. But the best view is taken from the 12th tee, beyond the green.
View of the 10th green looking backwards from 12.
Disorientation sets after you finish the hole because you see the 11th green stepped below the 10th green and the 100 foot drop to the lowlands.
A consult with the scorecard map says the 11th tee is somewhere down by the water tank, so pick a club for a 122 yd uphill shots and head down the hill toward the tank.
Hole 11,
Par 3, 122 yds
View from the tee of the 11th hole
122 Yds uphill. The preferred line just left of the right tree line. A ball hit at the white pole will end up off the course.
Your first view of the green, and a good place to visit before you tee off on the hole.
The backwards view from the 12th tee shows the narrowness of the green, and, if you end up next to the fence, this may be your drop option
The city is down to the right, the 10th green is on the high point beyond and left of this green