Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Montana is one of the state’s finest nine-hole courses – Lakeview Country Club in Baker.
Lakeview Country Club plays just over 3,300 yards from the deepest tees, but the real trouble begins when you approach the greens.
The putting surfaces are in pristine condition, but that doesn’t make them easier to score on. Nearly every green on the course has a bowl-like shape to it. When the pin is up on one of those ridges, it can be a nightmare for players.
The par-3 third holes is emblematic of the course's greens. Anything on the left side will funnel toward the middle, while the green also has a severe back-to-front slope that can make putts above the hole hellish.
The par-4 fifth hole offers players a unique challenge. When it’s dry in the summer, players can try to cut the slight dog-leg left and drive the green. However, there are three black sand bunkers protecting the green. That heavy sand can be miserable to try to get up and down from.
Nearly every hole at Lakeview Country Club requires some sort of slight shot shape, and when the wind picks up it can be a devil to play.
Baker junior golfer Konner Flint joined our Alec Bofinger to play the third and fifth holes. Flint finished fourth at the 2019 State B golf tournament at The Ranch Club in Missoula.
