Rich Harvest's head pro on how to play the course

With its 18 holes sporting such names such as "Chance," "Devil's Elbow" and "Beauty and the Beast," Rich Harvest Farms boasts a layout that looks to be as challenging as it is picturesque.

For an insider's perspective of the specific challenges awaiting the American and European teams for the 2009 Solheim Cup, we asked Chad Crane, the head professional at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, to describe each hole's unique offering:

Hole 1 - Golden Vane

(Par 4, 400 yards)

With the nerves the players will have on the first tee and the trouble down the right side, this hole will provide for a challenging start. The green is generous in size but is undulated and will also test the nerves early. The players would take par on this hole and run to the second tee.

Hole 2 - Chance

(Par 5, 501 yards)

Very reachable par 5 with a tee shot in the fairway. The layup shot for the players that don't find the fairway or the shorter hitters could possibly be a tougher shot than those going for the green in two. Another tough green that will provide for some good pin placements over the three days.

Hole 3 - Clyde

(Par 3, 160 yards)

To me the signature of this hole is the green. It is generous in size but has some very subtle breaks that will leave some of the players second guessing themselves. The prevailing wind will make this hole play a little shorter than the yardage.

Hole 4 - Devil's Elbow

(Par 4, 405 yards)

Mr. (Jerry) Rich has dubbed this hole the "most demanding tee shot in golf." I am not sure I can argue with him here but the hole doesn't get any easier after the tee shot. The green is a well bunkered, two-tier complex, and although this hole comes early in the round it is one the players will remember.

Hole 5 - Amen (Holy Stone)

(Par 3, 125 yards)

The front bunker on this scenic hole is better than missing this green long. Very narrow green (18 paces deep at its deepest point) that slopes from back to front.

Hole 6 - Bunker Hill

(Par 4, 375 yards)

The fairway narrows in the landing area and the uphill second shot plays at least a club longer. Both the players and the viewers will clearly know how this hole got its name by Sunday.

Hole 7 - Beauty & the Beast

(Par 5, 500 yards)

This is my favorite hole on the front 9. A tee shot in the fairway will provide the ladies with a very scenic layup. The longer hitters may have a go at this green in two but duffins drain will be lurking for the mis-hits.

Hole 8 - Burn

(Par 4, 395 yards)

The "original" hole of Rich Harvest Farms. This was the first hole designed and built by Mr. Rich. It is a short but demanding dogleg right. The players should have no trouble making a par or better with a tee shot in the left center of the fairway. This is another green with subtle movements that could fool some.

Hole 9 - The Road Hole

(Par 4, 415 yards)

(Front: Par 36, 3276 yards)

This is the last hole out before turning and heading in. It is a dogleg right par 4. The second shot will play uphill and the green is 68 paces deep and will provide a variety of clubs options for the players over the course of the competition. Finding the deep greenside bunkers will make par a tough score.

Hole 10 - Heaven's Beginning

(Par 4, 400 yards)

This to me is the beginning of one of the best 9-hole stretches in golf. A variety of holes, a variety of clubs, and a variety of looks will provide for a very memorable back nine at the 2009 Solheim Cup. The players better not be lulled by this straightaway par 4. Finding the fairway is a must for par/birdie and the second shot is deceiving with the bunkering that guards the green.

Hole 11 - Eagles Eye

(Par 5, 550 yards)

This is a three-shot par 5. The prevailing wind will bring the clump of bunkers on the right into play. The layup shot here is a must, and the players will be left with a choice to lay back to the wide part of the fairway or try to inch a little closer to the green and bring the bunkers and native areas into play. There are a variety of pin placements on this green, with the front right being the most challenging.

Hole 12 - Snead's Crotch

(Par 4, 342 yards)

A 240-yard tee shot with a draw will leave the players an open shot to this elevated green. The second shot can be deceiving as it plays uphill. This, coupled with the trees that protect the left side of the green, will bring the trouble short into play. For a short par 4 this is a very demanding hole.

Hole 13 - Hickory

(Par 3, 155 yards)

This par 3 seems easy enough. I find that the wind usually swirls on this hole, causing some second guessing on the tee. The green is also very undulated and creates another challenge. I really hope we see the front left pin placement during the competition. This will bring the deep greenside bunkers into play.

Hole 14 - Old Oaks

(Par 4, 385 yards)

There are a couple ways to play this hole. 1. The longer hitters can hit their tee shots over the oaks, allowing for a shorter second shot but bringing the right trees into play. 2. The can hit a shot 250-yard max at the bunker, leaving a midiron into the green. This green is also slightly elevated and, with the deep bunkers surrounding the green, is harder to hit than it should be.

Hole 15 - Lake Katherine

(Par 5, 470 yards)

This is a par 4 that will be playing as a par 5 for the Solheim Cup. A tee shot that favors the left side of the fairway will be a must for the longer hitters to have a shot a reaching the green in two. It will also allow the shorter hitters to have the correct angle to layup. Look for the excitement to start here on the closing stretch of holes with eagles and birdies being made.

Hole 16 - Valley of Sin

(Par 3, 171 yards)

This par 3 offers a tough two-tiered elevated green. This hole will play at least a club longer than the yardage with the elevation and the prevailing wind. This green slopes from left to right and from back to front so a shot missing long will be a near impossible up and in.

Hole 17 - The Cottage

(Par 4, 387 yards)

This is as tough a par 4 as you will play anywhere. A drive in the fairway will leave the golfers with a mid- to long-iron second shot into a green that is only 18 paces deep. With the pressure of the match on the line and Lake Clyde guarding the green, this is a second shot you won't want to miss!

Hole 18 - Covered Bridge

(Par 5, 520 yards)

(Back: Par 37, 3380)

(Total: Par 73, 6656)

If the matches make it to the 18th hole there is sure to be some excitement on this reachable par 5. If the ladies find one of the plateaus off the tee they will have a shot at reaching the green in two. If not, they will be forced to decide whether to lay back behind Welch Creek and have 130 to 150 yards in, or try to get closer for a more manageable third shot. The green is only 26 paces deep and missing long is no bargain.