Cottonwood Coulee occupies land along the coulees and benchlands characteristic of southeastern Alberta's semi-arid landscape near Medicine Hat. Harold Pasechnik designed the course to work with the natural topography of this region, where prairie grasslands meet deeply carved ravines formed by glacial meltwater and erosion. The routing takes advantage of elevation changes and the native terrain, offering golfers a layout that reflects the distinctive geography of the Canadian prairies rather than attempting to impose a parkland aesthetic on the high desert environment. The course sits in a city known for its natural gas resources and agricultural economy, where golf courses must contend with chinook winds, limited rainfall, and dramatic temperature swings between seasons. Cottonwood Coulee serves the local golfing community in Medicine Hat, a city of roughly 60,000 people positioned along the South Saskatchewan River. The design incorporates the coulees themselves—steep-sided valleys that create natural hazards and strategic interest without extensive earthmoving. Players encounter holes that move along ridgelines and drop into protected lowlands, with native grasses and sparse tree cover framing many fairways. The setting provides long views across the prairie landscape, and the wind often becomes a significant factor in club selection and shot strategy. As a municipal facility, Cottonwood Coulee offers accessible golf in a region where the climate and terrain present distinct challenges compared to courses in more temperate parts of Canada.