Clubs hosting big-time events are likely to reap plenty of attention because of television exposure.

Conversely, there are clubs that somehow escape attention. In part that can be related to where it is located. In other cases, it can be a combination of a club's desire to maintain a very low profile and in other instances the ignorance of those who assess courses can happen because of a lack of effort to search such special courses out.

I made it a point to take a slight detour to New Hampshire during my coverage of last year's U.S. Open at The Country Club.

Lake Winnipesaukee is the handiwork of Clive Clark. The Englishman was a fine touring professional and his understanding of how to incorporate quality shotmaking is evident here.

The New Hampshire landscape is quite attractive but because of the shortness of the golf season the depth of superior courses is on the limited side.

Lake Winnipesaukee is a quality design. The routing takes you to all parts of the property and there is no disturbance with on-site housing.

The focal point is the golf and Clark did an exceptional job in creating a quality mixture of holes.

Lake Winnipesaukee is not long -- playing just under 6,900 yards -- but the strength of the course is the constant mandate in being in the right position. Length off the tee can be an asset -- but it's not the central attribute in maxing out the lowest score possible.

The only downside is that both nines conclude with rather ordinary holes. They are not inferior -- they just simply lack the engagement seen at the bulk of the other holes encountered.

Among the standout holes include the par-4 5th and par-5 7th. Both holes use wetlands as an integral part of the strategy. Each also goes in opposite directions and the holes provide an attractive connection to the landscape.

The drop shot par-3 15th is good test and the penultimate hole rewards those capable in working the ball on a left-to-right trajectory.

The Granite State often gets little attention and much of that as I alluded to previously is because of the short playing season.

Lake Winnipesaukee deserves a special place in New Hampshire golf and architectural devotees should find their time well spent with a round here.

Warning, it is a very difficult course to walk. The first hole is a welcoming scenic short very downhill par 4. This of course means 9 is uphill. Favor the right off the tee to avoid the fairway bunker left. This will leave you with an attack wedge to a green protected by three bunkers. The first par five is only reachable by a few stalwarts. The landing zone for mortals is large. However, fairway bunkers left and two right start squeezing the hole. There is a dastardly blind pond on the right about 125 yards out. The green has two bunkers front right and two front left. The 3rd is a dogleg right and a good birdie oppty. There are bunkers on the inside elbow. Long hitters can carry them, I failed miserably. There is also a small pond left. Ideal tee line is just left of the bunkers. The approach is slightly uphill, but be wary of the false front. The first par three is long and downhill. The green is long and narrow with a half dozen or so bunkers surrounding it. Demanding par 3, nice to see it was rated the 9th toughest hole. The 5th is the number one handicap hole and is a dogleg left. A high draw off the tee is optimal. The approach is over gunch to a green with bunkers on each point of the compass. Tough hole, pars are earned there. The 6th is a mid-length slightly uphill par 3. One of the tougher greens that predominantly slopes front right to back left. The par 5 7th is a double dogleg. I suppose it is possible to get home in two. I had troubles getting there in four. Left off the tee will give you more options on the second shot. Swampland left the last 180 yards or so. Play it as a 3 shotter. After mucking up 7 I was not all that happy to see another par 5. The 8th is a dogleg left, uphill and is not reachable. Favor the right thru the green. The second shot is blind and the approach is to one of the smallest greens on the course with a long bunker front and left of the green. Turns out to be my favorite hole. Birdie! The front closes with a birdie oppty. The key is finding the fairway, pot bunkers right and more fairway bunkers left. Another green with bunkers on all quadrants.

The back starts with a birdie oppty, downhill short dogleg left. There are bunkers on both sides of the elbow and you can drive thru the fairway. Big hitters should consider laying up. The 1th is short par three with carry over water and prime swampland. There is a deep BAB short right and this green is wicked. Our group had 3 birdie putts and only made one par. The 12th is a good hole. Fairway bunkers eft will make you favor the right off the tee. This sets up an approach over the water hazard and bunker to the green. The 13th is a reachable par five. If you are going for it, aim at the right side of the left fairway bunkers. Otherwise stay right to the generous landing area. There is a creek in front of the green as well as three bunkers. Good risk/reward hole. The 14th is a dogleg left and is a good birdie oppty. Best line is the left side of the right fairway bunker. A rock carry to a green that is protected by three bunkers. The 15th is the shortest hole and is downhill. There is a BAB right, bunker front left and back. The 16th is an awesome unique hole. There are two completely disparate tee boxes. From the righthand tee box the hole is an uphill dogleg right. From the left tee it is a downhill dogleg left over a water hazard. This tee box is 90 degrees from the righthand tees. The green is protected with bunkers back right and front left. Interesting fun hole. I cheated and played it from both tees. Lot more fun from the left. The finishing holes will make you work. The 17th is a long uphill par 4 dogleg right. I barely made the fairway and had to hit a five wood, bunkers front right and back left. Really tough hole, certainly worthy of its number two handicap rating. The finishing hole is also an uphill dogleg right with fairway bunkers on the inside elbow. This one is much more manageable. Best line off the tee is just left of the fairway bunkers. Probably want to take an extra club to the elevated green, especially as a precaution against the deep front bunkers.

I really liked this course. Lot of character, fun holes, demanding holes and definitely an exhausting walk.