River at Sleepy Hollow Golf & Country Club

Editor's Note: Course closed for business.

The River Course, while unnoticed these days, is still one of the toughest golf courses in the DFW area. Extremely long with loads of trees, water, and bunkers, hole after hole is punishing and can beat down even the most accomplished golfer. Don’t play this from the tips unless you have to. If you do, you’ll be faced with a 634-yard par 5, followed by a 238-yard par 3 on the front.

The back nine is pure murder, featuring an island green and holes that get progressively more difficult as you plod your way through the round. The dogleg left, 435-yard No. 14 didn’t yield a single birdie during one minor-league bush tournament, when 150 aspiring pros took their best shots. No. 16 is almost 600 yards, lined by the Trinity River and doglegging to the right. Hole 17 goes 205 yards through a tunnel of giant trees and is the last thing you’ll be ready for when you’re limping home.

Other notes: 1956 US Open champion Cary Middlecoff was once the head pro at Sleepy Hollow, and SMU great Doak Walker was the club’s first champion.