Targeting patient players

Designed by Keith Foster and located a couple of miles off Highway 240 northwest of Richland, this target-style layout unwinds over hilly desert terrain overlooking the Yakima River.

Elevation changes abound, offering some challenging lies and inspiring views of the river and surrounding communities. And nearly every tee shot involves a forced carry over desert sand and sagebrush to well-manicured fairways.

The course has changed dramatically since opening in 1994. The most noticeable difference is the vast number of houses that have been constructed along fairways as part of a planned community that could eventually contain more that 1,500 homes.

And while the houses have altered the look of Horn Rapids, they have not greatly impacted its playability. Accuracy and length off the tee are still major requirements – especially when playing from the deepest of the course’s five sets of tee boxes, which stretch the length of the layout to a demanding 6,988 yards.

Considering all of the new construction, the out-of-bounds stakes remain surprisingly forgiving. But the natural desert areas, dotted with gnarly growths of sagebrush, can be even more penal than the vexing white stakes to anyone who strays even the least bit off the fairway.

Depending on the wind velocity and direction, the course can play excruciatingly long. But the greens, while moderately undulated, are not particularly large or difficult to read.

The key to scoring lies in a golfer’s ability to find fairways and safely negotiate the four difficult par-3s, none of which plays to less than 200 yards from the back tees. But even then, nerves will be tested on the 390-yard, par-4 finishing hole that ranks among the best on the course.