St. Martin's Abbey is located on a small private college and monastery in the city of Lacey, just miles away from our state's capital. As I entered through the main entrance I was astounded by the beauty of the landscape. With gardens and a lake to the left, the various types of colorful trees spread throughout the property, and the college tucked into the hillside toward the top, I was very impressed and excited to play!

Instantly, I could tell this was a recreational course intended for students to enjoy as they play around beautiful gardens and acres of grass. The course is primarily wide open, incorporating elevation, OB, and/or some sort of natural obstacle(s). Holes primarily range between 224-342 feet with the exception of the links style hole #7, which is 567 ft. beast that plays along the lake and is one of the more beautiful and challenging holes to play on the course. However, the 246 island hole was probably the most unique on the course, with a sloped green surrounded by gardens and asphalt. It made for a fun little skip ace flick shot or floating putter hyzer shot!

Favorite Hole(s): #4 and #7

As the Valk Kid mentioned in his review, the course seems to be improperly labeled with hole one completely across the field, and furthest place possible from where the parking lot is. Fortunately, I read his review and decided to start at hole nine so that I could finish at hole eight's basket that was a much shorter walk back to where I parked. If visiting, I highly recommend you do the same. It will save both time and effort.

The tee pads on the course are primarily dirt/mud depending on the time of year you play it. Because of this, footing is a major issue, especially for hole seven where power and distance is essential!

Finally, holes nine and six seem like filler holes. Six is a long dogleg right that is far enough to be out of reach for most to birdie but easy enough to guarantee a par every time due to the lack of obstacles. Hole nine is wide open with no challenge whatsoever.

Least Favorite Hole(s): #6 and #8

Although this course wasn't exactly difficult, it was the perfect place to introduce a new player, take your friends to just have fun, or go out solo to work on approach shots and elevation changes. The more rustic side where holes 5-7 are located has a lot of potential as well to play safari golf. It would be nice to see them add more holes and perhaps expand the nine to a full eighteen. The course was pristine and well maintained for the most part but it is obvious that they mow holes 5-7 every other time they do holes 1-4 and 8-9 near the main entrance which is a shame.

NOTE: The baskets are easy to spot as you wind your way to the top to find parking in the ORANGE lot just above the staff parking. Just stay right at the fork once you pass the first lot and the entrance will be on your left. The gentleman in the golf carts who monitor parking are friendly and helpful so you need not worry. Just be respectful as we are guests on their property and are extremely generous to open it up to the public.