I ordinarily wouldn’t write about a private golf course unless the something special occurred. Yesterday was Pro-Am day and on the Inland Empire Schedule was the Hayden Lake Country located in Hayden Idaho.This town is just outside of Coeur D’Alene. What makes this course worth writing about is its proximity to Hayden Lake and its remarkable history. The dining room and casual area sits adjacent to this wonderful scenic lake surrounded by mountains, many still have snow on their highest peaks.This is a stately old course that came into being in 1902.I believe the first clubhouse was a wigwam. Many of the homes that front the fairways are stately, mature with subdued beauty like the course itself.The greens are small by today’s standards; all have subtle breaks and ridges few even have small bowls.The fairways aren’t overly wide nor are they particularly narrow.There is just a nice balance between the two extremes.Best of all it is an easy walking course.Since I was there last several years ago changes have occurred on several holes.A par three down hill that is fronted by a gaping bunker beside a pond that sinuously wraps itself around the left side of the wide but narrow ridged green.The par five two holes later is a great risk and rewards opportunities that tempt the longest of hitters to try and fly the lake; looking out from the tee box one see just a partial glimpse of a three hundred yard watery grave on the right side. If you are a member of a private club from elsewhere and you happened to be in Northern Idaho or in the Spokane area try to play this course.The walk is quite serene. I’m fortunate to have three great golf professionals who put up with me at Circling Raven Golf Course about thirty-three easy miles south of the Hayden Country Club.I played with the youngest of the trio Mark Nelson and three of his buddies. I really think I enjoyed watching these super long hitters whack ball beyond my vision only to find most of the time their golf balls were on our fairway.The only one who I could be reasonably close to was the pro.Mark suggested that since we were going to the Country Club I should dress in my knickers. No picture is available for fear of upsetting readers.I did, with argyle socks, dark blue with tan diamonds and the obligatory green weave, collared light blue shirt, dark blue hat similar to Ben Hogan’s the “Ivy Hat” and black knickers the shoes were white, tan and black.I sure looked like a golfer if not in substance then in looks. Rob one of the young men has a single digit handicap who involved me into the team, by asking my advice on putts.I appreciated being included.Dirk one of the other fellows owns a Sports Bar called of course “Caddy Shack” he told me he hadn’t struck the ball so well in a long time.More importantly were his birdies.The last fellow Tyler, he and I just were never nearby each other, so unfortunately for me we didn’t have any interactions.I think he was the youngest of the trio and hit the ball a long, long way.If you are an average golfer try to play with better players and watch what they do, if you are lucky they will strike the ball down near the three hundred yard range and that is fun to watch in person- believe me I just did.