Emotion and history flood the grounds

A walk through time your soul is found

Qualchan, Chief of the Yakama, is the name

Feel the story, the hurt, as you play the game

From the first tee across the Latah Creek

The holes unwind as you gaze and peek

Beauty surrounds this test of golden foil

So much darkness before the end of toil

It was a dark time in the Spokane area during the 1800s as war between the “white man” and area Native American tribes lead to brutal deaths. In 1858, Qualchan (“mist”), the sub-chief and warrior of the Yakama’s, son of Chief Owhi, was sentenced to death by Col. George Wright after being accused of killings of white settlers in the area. Qualchan, along with many others, were hung just down the road on Latah Creek (formerly Hangman Creek…still referred to as such by many). Qualchan was hung without trial and his father Chief Owhi shot to death a few days later. He had come to Wright’s camp thinking there could be common interest, that the Indians could be independent of the will of the new White Settlement. This land was the land of the Native Americans, but at that moment, the world was changing.

Sometimes there is more to a name than just a phonetic sound. Sometimes there is more than what you can see but at first glance.  And sometimes the energy and spirit of a location will set your soul on fire.  Arriving at The Creek at Qualchan, it is easy to lay back and soak in the beauty of the 18 holes that are set out before, but the challenge is to honor those who lost their lives just down the road at Latah, no…Hangman, Creek. So pause as you drive up the tree-lined, lush, entrance, perhaps say a few notes of gratitude to be in this day and age, and get ready for a superbly wonderful day about to unfold.

The Creek at Qualchan is the newest of the Spokane’s golf courses and as such, the pro shop and clubhouse is a little more modern. With a view that will knock your socks off, the practice green will ready you for the day, and it promises to be a good one.

The round begins with one of the most dramatic tee shots for miles around. High above the fairway below, the 1st hole is arguably the “signature hole.” Stand tall, feel the courage, and just take a breath. Tee it high and left that first ball fly. You are in for a treat!  Taking the walk, or drive, over a bridge to the carpet ahead, envelop yourself in the land, the sky, and all that inhabit the grounds. Then get back to business, after all, a fairly short par 4 can get the adrenaline flowing and golf swing all knowing!  And though #1 receives most of the accolades.

A little soaker down the left, hole 3

Quietly designed with boldness and grandeur, the second hole, a legit par 4, is simply…elegant, sophisticated, demanding, epic. A slim tee shot, uphill second shot - into a steeply elevated, tight but fair green. It is of something divine. Follow this with a series of Par 3s, 4s and 5s meandering about with water lurking in and out, and the front nine crescendos with a picturesque and fairly challenging test. That hill you came down on #1 is now rising back up to the green at #9. Short yardage masks the integrity of the hole, so stay focused and finish the nine with pride.

Narrow and slippery little par 4 up the hill, the 9th

Making the turn in your gas-powered cart takes you steeply over the mountain and through the woods, to the 10th you go, the ball knows the way to carry what may, for all that remains in tow! The back nine at Qualchan is as good as it gets. Even the goofy little 13th creates enough drama to keep you coming back time and time again. Beginning with a clip of a par 4, dogleg to the right, it sets you up nicely for a cheap little butter-cut into a slightly elevated green. Continuing on the walk in the woods, the 11th hole is

destined to be the favorite par 3s on the course. Beautifully designed with water left and pot-style bunkers garnishing the back, a par here will set you sailing. Get the lead out as you play the 12th as the drive on the 13th is one to write home about. Criticism and cheer go hand in hand as it does appear that lack of land made this an afterthought for an actual hole, but if you look closer, dig deeper, it is genius. Whether you can take it high over the dogleg left, or bend it down the fairway, this is a nice chance to go down one as you move to the next tee. A par 3 followed by a par 4 and you are standing on the 16th tee box, and my second favorite hole on the course. A par 5 with an island in the middle of the fairway, trees bellowing to the skies above, and a green tucked around the dogleg left. Picturesque, challenging, inviting, enticing and fair. Brilliant! If there is one hole that feels a bit out of sorts, the 17th might be the one…however, redemption is made as you cross the bridge and start up the magnificent and strong 18th hole.

The Bridge at Qualchan just off the 17th

Here’s the deal…take this course and drop it on 17-mile drive, along the Firth of Fife, or amidst the dunes in Ireland, and it would be rated in the top 100 of the world. The design is spot on, the walk, that of divinity and the emotion, purely raw.  Without diminishing or denying the memories and lives lost, let there be light on these grounds that rise in the mist.

Full of imagination, the 18th