493 Yards – Raynor Par 5

As with many Seth Raynor’s designs, the opening hole at Minnesota Valley provides an opportunity to begin your round with a good score.  The tee shot is played to the top of a plateau and offers a panoramic view of holes to come.  On the second shot, the longer hitter can carry the cross bunker to a downhill slope to the green for a possible eagle chance, or the strategic player can challenge the same bunker by favoring the right side on a lay up which provides the best angle to the green. The back to front slope of the first green is a clear message to the golfer from the start:  staying below the hole is imperative at the Valley.