Ray Richards (Alternate Tees) at Ray Richards Golf Course

Ray Richards Golf Course serves Grand Forks as a municipal facility designed by Robert B. Harris. The course occupies land in the Red River Valley, where the flat to gently rolling terrain characteristic of eastern North Dakota shapes the playing experience. Harris, who designed numerous courses across the Upper Midwest during the mid-twentieth century, worked within the region's prairie landscape to create a layout accessible to the community while presenting strategic interest for regular play.

The course reflects the practical design principles common to municipal golf in the northern plains, where seasonal considerations and maintenance realities influence architecture. The relatively open terrain allows wind to factor prominently in club selection and shot execution, particularly during spring and fall rounds. Water features and bunkers provide definition to holes that might otherwise blend into the surrounding farmland topography.

Grand Forks maintains the facility as part of its public recreation infrastructure, serving both residents and visitors to this university community near the Minnesota border. The alternate tees referenced in the course name provide varied yardages and angles, allowing the layout to accommodate different skill levels and create flexibility for regular players who return frequently. Like many municipal courses in smaller Midwestern cities, Ray Richards functions as both a competitive venue for local tournaments and a welcoming daily-fee option where the game remains affordable and accessible.