There are few sequences on any course that embody the character and flavor of an entire course the way the 8th through 11th holes capture Oakland Hills. Amen Corner at Augusta National, the four monstrous finishing holes at Carnoustie, the cliffs holes at Pebble Beach, and the ridge holes along the inland boundary at Seminole fall into that category.

The 8th, 10th and 11th are cut from the same cloth; the long par 4s require precision and distance off the tee. Throw in the 230-yard 9th and the sequence demands four successive long-iron (or fairway wood) approach shots.

It is said that Ross designed the South Course around the 10th and 11th holes. The 10th fairway slopes steeply to the right beyond the fairway bunkers. The drive must avoid the bunkers and also the possibility of careening off the slope into the deep rough. The second shot is uphill to a green divided by a ridge. As difficult as the drive on the 11th hole is, the approach challenges not only shotmaking ability but nerve. Simply putting the ball on the green is not an accomplishment because of the four-foot drop, from back to front, in the putting surface.

Oakland Hills has hosted six U.S. Opens and a Ryder Cup. In 1993 members introduced the Walk of Champions, a series of huge boulders, each weighing some eight to 10 tons, with plaques commemorating the greats. It is a wonderful testimonial, but not completely necessary to document the glorious past of one of the world’s classic golf courses. At Oakland Hills, all you have to do is listen for the echoes.

Par: 72
Yardage: 7,099
Year founded: 1918
Architects: Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones Sr.