Country Golf in the Nebraska Sandhills
Andrew’s pic at Dismal River
When Chief’s golf clubs did not trickle down the luggage belt in the small airport of North Platte, Nebraska there was a sense of doom felt by the defending Chewy Open Champion. No way, we thought, were the clubs going to make it for the opening round the next morning at Prairie Dunes. But just when you thought the impossible could not happen the clubs were delivered from nowheresville later that night. Incredible service and a perfect example of friendly Midwestern American hospitality that we experienced throughout the trip. The golf clubs we visited would emphasize that they treat guests like they were welcomed into their homes.
The secret golf trip planned by Tom “Chief” Stanton surprised us all. After taking a flight from Kelowna, British Columbia to Seattle, Washington then on to Denver, Colorado for an overnight stay, the itinerary was rolled out by the leader of the troops when we congregated in the Mile-High City. Our response was one of wonderment and no one had guessed this golfing destination. We hopped on a puddle jumper plane hosted by a feisty flight attendant and made two stops including North Platte. Then we drove an hour and a half plus to The Prairie Club outside of Valentine, just north of the South Dakota border (http://www.theprairieclub.com). Tom tried valiantly for a year to get us onto the very private Sand Hills Golf Course but to no avail. He even had Sean Foley, Tiger’s ex-coach, put in a call but since we were not of royal stock or an influential Republican Congressman we were politely told “No.” It didn’t matter since we were in for other wonderful Nebraska golfing treats.
You travel through tiny towns and land, and more land. This is not the flat prairies that you think about when driving through Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. As you go through the Sandhills, layers upon layers of magnificent rolling terrain surround you and you question where you are. There is over 19,000 square miles of grass-covered stabilized sand dunes. This is the home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, where football is their religion and corn is their staple. But golf can be the new kid in town if you want to make this most worthwhile adventure.
After checking in to our nice accommodations at the Prairie Club we enjoyed hitting short pitch shots and putting on the neat and exceptional 10 hole Horse Course (http://www.theprairieclub.com/horse-course.html). With a beer in hand and banter heartily exchanged, we agreed that this was the perfect warm-up. Smart touch for a golf club to include for father and son golf or good friends who have not seen each other for some time.
The Pines Course sitting along Snake River Canyon is a very good one with a combination of tree-lined fairways and Sandhills. It is a fair course where you can score well while enjoying the landscape. The links-style Dunes Course designed by Tom Lehman may be a tad difficult for average golfers and may possess some of the largest bunkers you will see. However, it offers 7 sets of tees and the back ones extend to 8,000+ yards (yes, you read that right). The course had lightning fast greens and may have broken the Stimpmeter speed reading based on Martin’s 5-putt on a par-3. Beware those who find themselves above the hole! But the views around the course are incredible. Accommodations and the meals of Nebraska beef are first class.
“You can play any course you like, any time you like and you may be the only ones on the course.” This was a great opening statement from the charismatic Chris Johnston, the co-owner and CEO of the semi-private Dismal River Golf Resort. Following a 17 mile long drive on a single road in the middle of Nebraska we were welcomed by his team. This is country golf as Chris so aptly described. 3,000 acres of destination golf tucked away from society. We were beginning our second part of the golfing adventure.
Determining whether the Nicklaus Course or the Doak Course is better at Dismal River can be a challenge. They are both sensational. Nicklaus was first and the large bunkering and routing make this one an amped up version of his normal designs and certainly memorable. Admire the landscape from the elevated 18th tee with the 100 foot drop to the fairway—one of those spectacular finishing holes you cannot soon forget. Golfers can then enjoy a beverage in Jack’s Shack overlooking the Sandhills before taking your lazy cart ride back by the spacious practice range.
The two year old Doak design takes a more minimalist perspective as many greens needed little bulldozing of the land. Some approaches to the green were unnerving since all you saw were flagsticks and sky. No. 9 is a great example. Also, golfers will encounter blind shots like No. 17 where you have to pick a line and have great faith in your driving ability. Don’t go too far right or the ball will fall over the abyss. The shot gives you a feel of playing Royal County Down in Northern Ireland. There are hittable Par 4’s to add to the fun and balls can run for extra yards like links. Don’t bother to look at pictures of this newer course because it has not been added to their web site. Chris is fine with this omission and he shares this fact with a friendly smile (http://www.dismalriver.com)
The cabins and rooms are fantastic and immaculately built. The clubhouse sits high on a hill overlooking the Dismal River. An electrical storm flashed throughout the sky on our first night and we were the only guests. One of the largest fire pits you have encountered resides in front so golfers can exchange embellished stories of their low scores. As you look down you can imagine the days of Wild Bill Cody when he resided here, with buffaloes roaming and Indian Wars being fought. Beauty and history are neatly wrapped up in a unique playground for golfers. We even watched some of the NBA final in a private room with a big screen television while comfortably snug in leather reclining chairs with beverage holders. Dinners of famous Nebraska beef and tasty salads were provided with impeccable service and wry comments made by Chris about Canucks.
Other grand experiences we had while in Nebraska: watching Andrew jump when he passed a nest of bull snakes in the rough at Dismal River; seeing a week old doe approach our group at Prairie Dunes, driving a full mile in our cart just to get to the first tee of the Nicklaus Course, not having tee blocks at Dismal River but choosing an area and then launching the ball (hard to come up with an index for the course but very cool). And much more…
In the end, this golf was feel golf and the way I love to play the game. There were few yardage markers, silence permeated the atmosphere outside of cattle noises and few humanoids or symbols of civilization were in sight. Just you and nature and your best friends. And the roast beef sandwich at North Platte Airport was delicious, even though we had to rush through security to catch the puddle jumper back to the world of busyness and sound. And thankfully Tom’s clubs were nicely ensconced in the belly of the plane and he was Champion again holding the cherished trophy. ‘Go Huskers!’