Atkinson Resort & Country Club

I do not play Atkinson that often even though it is just 20 minutes from me, It is a very demanding course and extracts extreme punishment on those whose games do not measure up. They have cleared hundreds of trees in the past few years to make some holes friendlier. I do think even if less skilled players are playing the forward tees, the call of the woods and hazards is just too strong. They have also taken the GPS out of their golf carts. The GPS was great for seeing where the group in front of you was on the blind holes and for calculating how far it was to carry the blind hazards. I hope they reinstall them soon. The course is always in great shape and the greens are some of the finest around. The 7th is a great par 4, that has a key hazard and a green that is tough to hit. It is less daunting now with dozens of trees gone, but it still challenges all players. The 10th is a tough driving hole with rock and trees on the left and run offs into the woods on the right. A layup with a hybrid will leave you a short iron into a raised green at the bottom of a steep hill. They have done a great job improving some of the odd holes on the back 9, but there are still holes with blind second shots and hazards that meander out of your view. I am not sure if they can make further corrections to these holes that would improve player safety and help to speed up play. One reason I avoid Atkinson in the prime time is the 5 hour plus rounds that are seemingly unavoidable. I intentionally played during the early twilight special, after 2 PM, on a Wednesday and it was very quiet. I would recommend this course out of prime time or if you are a very patient person. I would also be sure to play one tee set shorter than you think to help with your enjoyment of the course. The food and beverage is exceptional at the clubhouse and I would not miss an opportunity to eat at the pub or fine dining restaurant.