Robert Trent Jones Club

Gainesville, Virginia

Missoula Country Club (Missoula, Montana)

Missoula Country Club logo 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.

17th Hole at Missoula Country Club (173 Yard Par 3)
17th Hole at Missoula Country Club (173 Yard Par 3)

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.

2nd Hole at Missoula Country Club (197 Yard Par 3)
2nd Hole at Missoula Country Club (197 Yard Par 3)

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.

13th Hole at Missoula Country Club (405 Yard Par 4)
13th Hole at Missoula Country Club (405 Yard Par 4)

13th Hole at Missoula Country Club (405 Yard Par 4)
13th Hole at Missoula Country Club (405 Yard Par 4)

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.

18th Hole at Missoula Country Club (529 Yard Par 5)
18th Hole at Missoula Country Club (529 Yard Par 5)

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.

1st Hole at Missoula Country Club (368 Yard Par 4)
1st Hole at Missoula Country Club (368 Yard Par 4)

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.

14th Hole at Missoula Country Club (426 Yard Par 4)
14th Hole at Missoula Country Club (426 Yard Par 4)

14th Hole at Missoula Country Club (426 Yard Par 4)
14th Hole at Missoula Country Club (426 Yard Par 4)

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