Are you looking for an escape from the norm? Perhaps you’re searching for unexplainable tranquility? Or maybe you’re seeking breathtaking views?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then Medora, North Dakota’s Bully Pulpit Golf Course may be your next golf destination. Situated among the North Dakota Badlands, the course is the epitome of natural splendor. From its meadows and woodlands, to its proximity to the Little Missouri River, to its awe-inspiring terrain, Bully Pulpit will take your breath away throughout an entire round.
“You’ll see river valleys. You’ll witness the pristineness of Badlands formations. And you’ll even tee off on cliffsides,” says Jesse Ward, head golf professional. “It’s like a national park —but with fairways, greens and tee boxes, too.”
As further evidence of Bully Pulpit’s natural awesomeness, the course received a recognition that will certainly catch golfers’ attention in the coming months. It was recently named USA Today’s No. 1 Best Public Golf Course.
This honor has been humbling for Bully Pulpit staff members. After all, the course is located on the edge of a small Western entertainment town.
Nestled a couple miles from Medora’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Mother Nature is a primary standout in the area. In fact, the landscape’s utter beauty is more than enough reason for golfers to visit from all over the world. And they are — in ever-increasing numbers.
“Our guests don’t seem to mind the distance they need to travel in order to golf at Bully Pulpit,” says Holly George, marketing director. “We’ve hosted guests who have traveled thousands of miles to see the course for themselves — and they’re just in awe.”
Aside from seeing the North Dakota Badlands’ exquisiteness firsthand, golfers are interested in the various challenges that Bully Pulpit provides as well. Measuring 7,129 yards long from the back tees, the course offers variety to everyone.
For instance, it has four par-3s, 10 par-4s and four par-5s, enabling golfers to use several clubs in their bags. It also provides four other tee boxes to choose from — gold (6,623 yards), blue (5,980 yards), white (5,256 yards) and red (4,639 yards).
In recent years, one hole has especially become renowned at Bully Pulpit, the 15th, which was named after the course itself. A 161-yard par-3 from the back tees, it has a 100-foot-deep canyon.
“The views are unexplainable here,” George says. “You simply have to see it for yourself.”
Of note, each hole has a unique name, too. From “Boots & Saddles” to “Black Gold” to “Perched Rock” to “Dakota,” they were named with the area’s unique characteristics in mind.
“You’ll be challenged at Bully Pulpit, without question,” Ward says. “But you’ll also have a very enjoyable golfing experience, one that you’ll remember for years to come.”
To ensure golfers continue to have enjoyable and memorable experiences, Bully Pulpit’s front-nine was recently reconstructed. Due to the reconstruction, the course has a fresh layout. In addition, it won’t be as dramatically impacted by flooding as it was before.
New cart paths have been added to holes 14, 15 and 16 as well, while the 14th and 16th holes’ greens were completely renovated, too. Not to mention, the entire course has paved cart paths, along with a soon-to-be-installed, new irrigation system.
“The future is looking bright for Bully Pulpit,” Ward says. “More and more customers are traveling to the course and more and more publications are recognizing its beauty.
“We welcome you to escape the norm and relish golf in the North Dakota Badlands — away from it all.”