There is not a weak hole on the course; all 18 are strong and memorable individuals that fit together like a good jigsaw puzzle. The routing is a combination of linksland (holes one through 10 and 18) and parkland (holes12 through 16), brought together by two fabulous transition holes; the diabolical par-3 11th and its neighbor, No. 17, a short par 4.

The wind is a constant at the Downs and it effectively reduces the playable width of most holes by half, as does the rolling, sloping nature of the fairways. At Crystal Downs, Maxwell perfected his skill in turning out some of the wildest and most difficult putting greens unimaginable.

The 7th green is boomerang-shaped and demands billiard skills to negotiate with any success. It is a putting surface that teaches a player how important just one inch can be; all you need to do is hit the wrong fraction of a famed Maxwell Roll and the ball will gain more and more momentum. Before you know it you’ll be in the divot-infested dip at the bottom of a gully in front of the green. While Maxwell was perfecting his putting greens, MacKenzie was concentrating on the course’s bunkering.

The elevated tee of the opening hole is both breathtaking and mindboggling. Parts of the first eight holes are visible. The beauty of the tall grasses waving in the wind and the rugged bunkers delineating the drive zones and framing the many of the putting greens is magnificent. Then there’s the color contrast of the different shades of green grasses, golden tall rough and sparkling azure of Crystal Lake on the horizon.

The attitude that prevails at Crystal Downs is down-to-earth and sensible. That’s refreshing when so much of today’s golf world seems bent on show rather than substance. It is an example of nature’s mighty gifts, man’s inspiration and golf’s perfection.

Par: 70
Yardage: 6,518
Year founded: 1929
Architects: Alister MacKenzie and Perry Maxwell