+ PHOTO BY PAUL MARKERT, ILLUSTRATION BY DEAN LAVATO " It's a hole you can't stop thinking about the entire round. " -Dave Sadlowsky GREAT DRIVES Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge Deerwood | No. 18 » par 3 » 150-215 yards Opened Nine holes in 1988; Second nine in 1992 with redesign | Architect Joel Goldstrand | Superintendent Dale Lundgren | Head Professional Dave Sadlowsky | Course Record 66-Greg Snow S ome golfers don't prefer a par-3 finishing hole, but No. 18 at Ruttger's will certainly get their attention. " It's a beast, " says head professional Dave Sadlowsky. With a hurting prevailing wind, this long hole features a forced carry over Bass Lake; water all along the right; woods and the clubhouse viewing deck, left; and a front-left bunker guarding a two-tiered green. What's to fear? The 30-foot long elevated green complex includes about two steps before the edge drops down to the water, while a false front funnels balls back to the apron. Hitting short or into the bunker are optional bailouts. " The best way to play it? I'm waiting for someone to tell me, " Sadlowsky says with a laugh. " I try to focus on something specific-like a tree behind the green-and blur everything else out, because a lot of the intimidation is visual. " -Joseph Oberle 8 MINNESOTAGOLFER Summer 2020 mngolf.orghttp://www.mngolf.org