Muskeg Meadows: Home of Ravens Rule
by Aaron Angerman
Bear, deer and moose can be seen grazing as nine USGA rated fairways rise out of the wetlands to form Muskeg Meadows. Sitting atop a foundation of byproducts from the once flourishing Wrangell timber industry, the 32-acre course offers such a unique golf experience that it boasts a 30-tournament schedule, highlighted by the annual Alaska Airlines tournament. While playing golfers can checkout the newly added activities shelter, which serves to provide a location for guests to dine on great food, chat with locals or view the interpretive signage detailing the course’s conception.
“Golf in the wilds of Alaska, between the snow capped mountains, in the middle of the rainforest, “says the Pro Shop Manager. “Here you’ll find the friendliest people in Southeast Alaska and the coffee is always on.”
Come and test your skill as you avoid the large jutting rock on the course’s signature ninth hole. Observe the abundance of wild flowers and wide variety of birds as you walk the course, but keep an eye on your ball — Ravens have been known to steal balls as they rest gently on the greens. Don’t worry, because if you have a witness, you’ll be awarded a free drop according to the “Raven Rule.” – A. Angerman
Yelp.com Listed in: Best of Alaska, Golf Courses Benjamin B. Sydney New South Wales, Australia
“Wrangell, a tiny little stain of awesome deep in Alaska’s inside passage. Super unlikely setting for a golf course. A bit of sweet talking with our ship’s captain and we docked at the island for a cheeky 9. In summer. In the rain. This is par for the course, apparently. (ZING!)
The tees are astroturf. The greens are astroturf. And the course is astoundingly green, lush and forest-y, built as it is on 15 feet or more of muskeg (Alaska’s version of mossbog).
This is the kind of character-filled regional golf course I adore. Utterly unique, with bear and deer droppings littering the long springy fairways, and huge patches of chopped up ground that kinda resembled a pig sty. What caused these brown mires, we pondered? Ravens are the culprits. They only started turning up this year and nobody knows why, and they chew the shite out of the ground looking for grubs. Club even imposed a Raven Rule, which states that a ball stolen by a raven may be replaced, with no penalty, provided there is a witness!
If you’re ever up Wrangell way, it’s mandatory to get a round in here. An experience Ill never forget.” ~ Benjamin B. July, 2012