Donald Ross, the foremost golf course architect of his day, designed Oakland Hills. The club engaged Walter Hagen, a man already set for greatness after winning the U.S. Open, as its first professional. Often referred to as "The Monster" after Ben Hogan won here in 1951, Hogan was overheard saying he was glad to have brought "this monster to its knees.”
"The greatest test of golf he had ever played and the toughest course."
Hogan went on to say that it was "The greatest test of golf he had ever played and the toughest course." the 5th hole at Oakland Hills is the number 1 handicap hole on the monster. Its length with a dry creek splitting the fairway teamed with a severely sloping green make this a tremendous test of golf and a hole you'll walk away from knowing what Hogan meant. Par here is a great score and will pick up a skin for the day more often than not.
Try your hand at some of the most thrilling holes in golf history—start planning your next golf trip to The Golf Course at Northern Bay. Questions? Contact our team.
