Two weeks ago my normal weekend group paid a visit to Baker National in the Baker Park Reserve. The first hole, a 466 yard par 4, just missed the cut in the recent Pioneer Press 18 Best Golf Holes series– its distinctive red barn backing the green provides a striking start to a round. Baker National is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, which has meant that the grass on the fairways seems a little longer and the bugs a little worse than other courses, but it’s a nice trade-off.

Our round was very enjoyable and the course management is taking pace of play very seriously. The group in front of us was warned twice and the ranger gave us each a logo ball while apologizing for the slow play (which really wasn’t that bad). I had my usual 2006 round–fine off the tee, but still losing strokes while I adjust to the iron changes from my lesson. An average 92 that could be a 85 without too many improvements.