The Employee Dream Becomes Legend
What started as a family recreation idea blossomed into a regionally renowned destination. Jim Neiman didn’t just build golf for employees—he put his hometown on the map and proved the naysayers wrong.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
The Golf Club at Devils Tower
Hulett, Wyoming
Established
2007
Architect
Dick Phelps, Kevin Atkinson (modification and expansion); original by Jim Neiman; Carl Thuesen also cited
Access
Private - members & guests
Par
Par 72
Length
4,675 – 7,011 yds
The verdict
A Destination With Heart and Drama
The Golf Club at Devils Tower delivers a bold, memorable round on the northern Wyoming frontier, marrying panoramic views with a distinctive family-built story. It’s not a Top 100 pilgrimage, but it stands out as one of the region’s premier private courses, worth a detour for anyone traveling the Northern Plains or Black Hills.
Course DNA
Difficulty
80
Scenery90
Conditioning85
Shot Variety75
Walkability67
Green Complexity72
Wow Factor82
Design Quality70
At a glance
Quick facts
Devils Tower Views
Multiple holes frame the National Monument
Longest Hole
603-yard par-5 fifteenth
Tee Variety
Five published tee sets
Destination Air Access
Onsite airstrip for club guest fly-ins
Original Opening
Began as a 3-hole employee course
Primary Event
Hosts the 2026 Wyoming Match Play Championship
Clubhouse
Modern clubhouse opened in 2019
The design
The architecture
Carved from Wyoming bluffs and prairie, the course moves boldly across open land, with sweeping views of Devils Tower providing a cinematic backdrop. Dick Phelps and Kevin Atkinson prioritized flow, variety, and drama—mixing wide, wind-exposed holes on elevated ground with wooded sections and strategic, thoughtfully designed greens. The result is a course that challenges with both length and nuance, rewards well-placed shots, and never feels repetitive. The story of its transformation—from humble company course to a regional destination—bleeds through the winding fairways, punishing rough, and continuous sense of place.
Dick Phelps and Kevin Atkinson were brought in explicitly to elevate the original layout, turning a homegrown project into a course worthy of Wyoming’s grand landscape.
Defining features
- Expansive vistas on most holes
- Strong variety: open prairie meets canyon bluffs
- Imposing green contours and guarded targets
- Playable length options across five tee sets
- Route maximizes Devils Tower sightlines
- Modern clubhouse at course high point
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Dramatic Bluffside Opener
PAR
5
YARDAGE
537
The round starts with a sweeping par 5 that follows the edge of a bluff, offering early glimpses of Devils Tower. A true tone-setter, this hole demands both restraint and confidence from the tee.
Play it smart
Prioritize a well-placed drive to maximize angle; lay up if the wind is strong, but a bold second shot can set up a real birdie chance.
Where it bites
Misjudge the crosswinds or get greedy on the approach, and thick grass or bunkers will quickly punish you.
Course management
Shots to think about
Long par-3 with swirling wind (Hole 5)
Trust your yardage, take extra club, and play for the center—missing short courts disaster.
Approaching the 603-yard fifteenth
Break it into three tactical segments and never bite off more than you can chew—an over-aggressive second can ruin your score.
Teeing off with Devils Tower in view (Hole 8)
Stay focused—let the scenery inspire, but don’t let it distract you from finding the center of the fairway.
Opening tee shot (Hole 1)
Stifle the adrenaline—prioritize keeping the ball in play over raw distance to set the right round tone.
Short par-4 ninth
Play for angle, not maximum distance—a controlled club off the tee sets up the only real birdie chance.
Final approach on eighteen
Commit fully; the moment and view are big, but anything tentative will leak into trouble.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Firm, well-kept fairways and fast, true greens, with rough that can punish.
Pace
Relaxed, destination pace—allow time to soak in the setting.
Vibe
Friendly, unhurried, and distinctly welcoming; a sense of local pride runs deep.
Dress code
Club-appropriate golf attire recommended (collared shirts, no denim).
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Respect The Wind
Open terrain and shifting breezes mean club selection and trajectory control are essential on nearly every shot.
02
Bring Extra Balls
With some forced carries, native rough, and big distances, even skilled players could lose a few along the way.
03
Check Access Details
Confirm guest or member access before setting your itinerary—last-minute policy changes may affect availability.
04
Plan For Walks
Consider a cart for comfort, as the terrain features elevation changes and long green-to-tee walks.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2005
Course expanded; Phelps and Atkinson remodel and add nine holes
- 2007
18-hole layout officially completed and opened
- 2019
New full-service clubhouse opens
- 2026
To host Wyoming Match Play and State Couples Championships
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Runway to the Fairways
To truly make Devils Tower a must-visit, Jim Neiman even paved his own airstrip, letting golfers fly in directly to the western front. Few places let you touch down and tee up with such style.
Winning Over Wyoming
Once doubted as a remote oddity, Devils Tower now regularly hosts the state's top amateur championships, earning respect as Wyoming's most distinctive golf stage.
The Tower Looms Large
Devils Tower National Monument dominates the horizon and infuses nearly every hole with grandeur—reminding golfers exactly where in the world they are, and how special it is to be here.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Built as a recreation project for sawmill employees
2
Features panoramic views of Devils Tower National Monument
3
A dedicated runway allows golfers to fly in directly to the club
4
The family-run course overcame local skepticism to become a state championship venue
5
The club’s bar and lounge offer some of the best post-round views in the region
Build the trip
If you're making a Black Hills pilgrimage
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Spearfish Canyon Country Club
Public
Scenic mountain-valley routing and highly playable for all abilities
Belle Fourche Country Club
Public
Welcoming, value-driven round with open fairways
Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club
Public
Rolling hills and views, in the Spearfish area
Spearfish, South Dakota for amenities, or Hulett, Wyoming for a secluded golf retreat
Course DNA
If You Like The Golf Club at Devils Tower
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.4
The Water's Edge Country Club
Penhook, VirginiaScenery
Why it matches: If The Golf Club at Devils Tower is your kind of course, The Water's Edge Country Club is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Belgrade Lakes Country Club
Belgrade, MaineScenery
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Belgrade Lakes Country Club shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to The Golf Club at Devils Tower.
Strong DNA Match7.9
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay
Tower, MinnesotaScenery
Why it matches: If The Golf Club at Devils Tower is your kind of course, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Community Sentiment
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