If the trees around Manito could talk

What stories would they reveal as you walk

The hallowed grounds of years gone by

Where dear frolic and the eagle fly

Family and friends lucky as can be

To spend time hitting from each tee

Down fairways manicured with deep care

This is a test of golf that is wondrous and fair

What is in a name? In the Native American Salish language, Manito refers to “a force of nature.” The location on the South Hill of Spokane also insinuates a secondary meaning of “top of the hill.” As with every other course in the area, the ties to the first settlers make this a very special place, steeped in history of all kinds.

After the unfortunate burning of the Spokane Golf Club’s clubhouse in 1908, a small group of golf devotees stayed on the south side of the city rather than relocate to the north side and the newly established Spokane Golf Club (renamed Spokane Country Club and now, Kalispel Golf and Country Club). In 1917, the Manito Golf Club was formed at Hart Field, and in 1922 a glorious pine laden, 137-acre parcel of land was purchased for the sole sake of creating the second golf “club” in the city. Arthur Vernan Macan was commissioned to design the neighborhood links that overlook Hangman Creek Valley. In 1930, the “members” opened the luxurious mansion that would become the official clubhouse. With beautiful views over the bluff, a grand entrance, a ballroom, several “dining areas” and room to expand, the amenities were top notch and soon sought out by the high society of Spokane. In 1935, Manito Golf Club officially became Manito Golf and Country Club.

Original design as shown in the Spokesman-Review

World War II broke out in 1939, curtailing many global golf tournaments. Rumor had it that golf was still being played at St Andrews in Scotland and other venues overseas, even amidst air raids and invasions. Fred Corcoran, the PGA Tournament Manager, heard of this and decided that it was time to boost the mood and morale of the troops sending a message that the game of golf was just the thing to do it. With the help of Spokane’s Athletic Round Table and the commitment by Manito Golf and Country Club, the 1944 PGA Championship was to be held. $20,000 was promised for the purse and expenses for the participants were paid. Though a smaller field, the match play event garnered record crowds. Bob Hamilton, a relative unknown from Indiana, gained victory against one of the biggest names in golf, Byron Nelson, by rolling in a 15 footer on the 18th hole. Today, the putter remains on display in Manito, along with the black and white photography of the era. In addition to the 1944 Championship, Manito held the 1942 Western Amateur and multiple local and regional events. In 1988, a Pete Dye redesign of the original 18 came to be and the original clubhouse dismantled. New “digs” (now across the street) may not have the history, the view or the grandeur, but it does create a modern day plan for a country club that focuses on family and fun. With a major PGA Championship under the belt, how is the golf course? To be quite honest, with the fondest of memories and a smile across my face, I write this review. Manito GCC is where I learned to play this crazy game and where the love and passion for the sport came to be.

Original logo for Manito GCC

As a kid, golf clubs strapped across my back, I rode my bike down a trail that snuggled up against the white picket fence that served both as “security” and out of bounds for a few holes on the course. It was only a few blocks from home and even shorter as the crow could fly. A safe crossing to the opposite side of Hatch Road and the golfing seas parted.

The original design started with #1 directly in front of the old pro shop. Nerves crept as the tee was placed into the ground. Anyone and everyone could watch you tee off down the straightway par 4. #18 ran parallel, finishing at the pool, where again, all good folk were there to witness the completion to your round.

The first tee and original pro shop as shown by a picture hanging in the clubhouse

The second hole was fun little par 4 with an elevated green; there was out of bounds all down the right side. About 200 yards out would be the place I would sit every summer during the Men’s Club Championship, then called Pow Wow. With an actual teepee set amidst the trees (filled with soft drinks and beer), my chair would claim space just outside the opening. From here, I could watch the men drive from the tee box up the second fairway, with all hopes that a wayward drive would send me off my roost like a shot! You see, tips were offered for finding golf balls that would cross the road and into the forest beyond. Fifty cents to a dollar would be handed my way, giving a little spending money, affording me the sleeve of three, Club Specials at that time. And it would be the second green would also be the location many of us would be during the eruption of Mt St Helens.

#3 was a beautifully designed par 3. Thinking of this hole just brings a smile as I remember, during a junior 3-holer event, my dad hiding behind a tree just to the right of the green. He was taking journal notes on my progress, or non-progress! He also caught me cheating as I dropped a ball after not finding the first... a talking to and lesson in life I will never forget!

And #4 was the first par 5 that I ever eagled. It also lead me home as we lived right off the right side of the green. Memories of my white German Shepherd, Sabre, and I slipping into a golf cart, playing 3 holes before dinner, what a wondrous piece of my soul. Though the holes have changed, some to extreme, waves of energy sweep through the pines, threading all that was and all that now is.

Though the redesign is good, and there are more present day features, the view from the left rough of 18, down the bluff and out into the Palouse, surely is missed. However, today’s golfing desires are different and the course as it lays is exactly what Manito set out to achieve. Fair and fun to play, perfect for families and all people regardless of ability or age. So let’s take a deep dive into how the course plays present-day.

A short walk from the proshop takes you to the first tee. Starting strong from the front and back tees, the yardage is on the shorter side, but with soft, tree-lined fairways and fast as lightning greens this opening hole can alter your ego right from the get go. Fairway bunkers are nestled gently but with intention. Taking it deep with the first tee shot will leave you with a short to mid iron, dialing in for the first approach.

The first tee at Manito

Holes 2 - 4 ease you into the round with all possibilities of going low. #2 is a fairly short slight dogleg to the right; with the correct placement off the tee, a short iron can send tweets to the card. It takes you back to the clubhouse giving an opportunity of reloading on anything. #3 is short by every standard and a definite opportunity of exiting with your self par or better.  #4 is the old #10, a buttery little par five that encourages you to move it down the fairway with gusto for a chance to hit the green in two giving an eagle flight.

Holes 5 - 9 line the outside of the course before bending back to the clubhouse. #5 is a short little par 3 that takes you to the far end of the course and into the residential section of the boundaries. The old #12 gives light to the new #6 and the first real test of the front nine. A big hole from the front and back, this long par 4 is heavily tree-lined with a tight and twisty little green at the end. #7 is a short but stately par 4 that resembles the old #13. With homes down the left hand side, it is easy to push it to the right and ponderosa pine bound. Think about a long iron or fairway wood off the tee, giving a little more to the green but a chance for the green. The tee box for #8, a sweet par 3 with a decent amount of length, lines up for the old #4 green. What a place that was for building snowmen and playing hockey once the fairway froze over. Nine finishes with an approach over a small body of water and toward the clubhouse; perhaps a little more dramatic than the #9 of old. If the Royal burger and caramel milkshake are still a choice at the turn, harden the arteries for the day, it is worth it.

Make the turn.

Holes 10 - 14 are the meat. Once the 15th hole, the 10th is a slight dogleg to the left. Though short in stature, being too bold off the tee can leave you in the pine needles and a slippery stance. However, if a drive lands down the middle, well…a short iron in and you are flapping your wings for birdie. #11 comes back the other way and is in the belly of the course. A sharp dogleg right, this is one of the hardest holes on the course and where driver is a necessity. #12 is a cute par 3 that can certainly give anyone a bit of paranoia. Long from the back but shorter from the front, water comes into play so keep the ball moving toward the pin and without a lot of spin. #13 is now the hardest hole on the course. Stretching out over all sets of tees, this slight dogleg right is a beast when the fairways are wet or the air is cold, two all too common weather trends of the PNW. #14 is a short par 5 that gives you a chance for birdie. Bunkers line the right side of the green so moving the ball left to right or just aiming down the left is key. And here we go.

Present day 14th hole

Across the street to the area of the old number one. Though the pro shop is gone and the clubhouse a memory of old, the feeling of this hole remains. Redesigned as a par 5, now with houses down the right (rather than #18), these here yards are hallowed grounds. Walking down the 15th, close your eyes and listen for the hustle and bustle, the “whack” of the ball from a persimmon wood driver, and children’s laughter from the pool just to the side. From the green, look back, smile and move along to the 16th. As far as I can tell, many of the trees we climbed in our youth were removed to create this fairly short par 4. A pesky little fairway bunker comes into play on the left while there are homes and out of bounds to the right. It is short enough to hit a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee, if the driver has turned on you. #17 tee box was the old #4 tee box. A par three that will test your will and, perhaps, depletion of energy before sending you to the final hole. #18 is Manito’s signature hole. Short on the throw but so much temptation. Any match ending on this hole will certainly pause for drama. With water surrounding the green, anything short, long or left is swimming; bail out can be to the right and the adjoining 9th green. Bravery, courage, confidence go a long way. And you are in for the fire pit and 19th hole.

Find a member, phone a friend, it is worth pulling out the stopper to play Manito and feel the history.

Manito. Though you may never host another PGA event, the links on the South Hill of Spokane will always be a championship course. This force of nature brings joy and happiness to those fortunate enough to take the walk. And for me…no matter what course the golfing gods take me to, there is no place like home. Thank you, Manito, for the memories.