Omaha. Where to play and where to eat?

[Augster]

Hello.

 

I'm heading to Omaha for training for my work for a week at the end of March. I'm hoping some decent courses will be open by then. I played down there about 4 years ago, but for the life of me I can't remember where I played. Also, I'm not up on changes to the area so a little help.

 

I have time for one decent, leisurely round on Sunday when I fly in. If I have the pick of the entire Omaha metro and surrounding area, where should I play my one full, decent round? I am assuming it'll be somewhat high-end. Will the price be worth it for early-season golf?

 

Also, I'll need a place or two to play after my training lets out at 4PM each day. My training is at 4000 South 132nd street if that helps. I think there was a decent place that was close enough that I got a full round in each evening the last time I was down there. Any suggestions are very helpful.

 

Lastly, where does a guy eat on a nightly basis? What places are local, non-chained, and good? I like everything but seafood. I prefer steaks and rib joints. I know about the casinos, and they have a steakhouse or two, but is there anything that only the locals know and head out to? My company gives me a per diem when I travel and I'd like to shovel that money into the local economy. :)

 

Thanks for any help. I know this is early, as I won't be down there for a month from now, but I'd like to get ideas going etc. well before I get there.

[GHIN n Juice]

Relatively close to your training site you'll find Tiburon (27 holes) and Johnny Goodman (city run muni). Other courses out that way include Miracle Hills (this is an old style straight hole course with trees lining each fairway), Pacific Springs (short, par 70 I believe, but fun), Indian Creek (a bit further northwest but an excellent course) and The Knolls (eh...). A bit of a drive south towards Lincoln are Quarry Oaks and Iron Horse both of which are well worth the drive during the season, but I'm not too sure about late March.

As far as where to eat, West Omaha is fairly saturated with the chain restaurants (Applebees, Texas Roadhouse, Longhorn, etc.) Closer to midtown you will find Gorats steakhouse. This is Warren Buffett's favorite steak place but be ready for, um, a lot of older patrons. I did not find it to be anything special but you can judge for yourself if you wish.

You may have to drive to the Old Market area downtown to find more local fare. The Old Market restaurants are a bit pricey but if your looking to drop $80-100 per person I'd recommend the 801 Chophouse for steak.

[burniemac]

Don't know much about the golf but a staple for me during the CWS is Zesto's but its just burger joint but best malts and shakes in the world. I was not that impressed with Gorats and I can not think of the Italian place name on want to say 10th street

[cfreeman8]

I would give Indian Creek a try. Great 27 holes of golf. Unfortunately the best golf in Omaha is private, but if you can get to Quarry Oaks just outside of Ashland it is certainly worth the trip. I ate at a place in Bellevue (Omaha suburb) called Sinful Burger that was fantastic. 801 Chophouse also has unbelievable steaks.

[Augster]

Thanks very much for the replies!

I know I didn't eat at any of the places mentioned last time I was there. I'll definitely need to check a few out. Nobody mentioned local BBQ. Is there anything that only the locals go to for ribs?

I may have to check out the 801 Chophouse at least one night I am there.

I know I played Tiburon. And I think I played Johnny Goodman.

I am only going to get one shot, the Sunday I fly in, to play a nice, relaxed round. Weather permitting, and coming from the airport, where would you play a round if you wanted to play one round somewhere nice? I'm not afraid to drive a bit, because if everything goes right in planning, I'll be getting into town around 9 or 10 AM. So a noon tee time is doable just about anywhere in the extended area.

Thanks very much for the ideas!

[GHIN n Juice]

I think most Omaha golfers would choose Quarry Oaks for one round. Iron Horse and Woodland Hills are also great options, but Quarry is the most popular.

As for the ribs, most people I know take the time to smoke their own. I'm not sure if that is a statement about the quality of BBQ in Omaha or if my friends just have too much time on their hands. Hopefully another post can help with that.

Good luck and pray for some sun over the next 4 weeks!

[Augster]

[quote name='MizyPure' timestamp='1361931894' post='6510565']
Good luck and pray for some sun over the next 4 weeks!
[/quote]

No doubt! Here in Minneapolis, my course opened March 8th last year. We'll be lucky to be open before the Masters this year I think. Way too much snow and it hasn't gotten "warm" any days this year. Today it got all the way to 38*. That's not going to melt much snow and ice.

Thanks for the suggestion also. I'll look it up online and I know I haven't played there.

[GHIN n Juice]

Although we currently have a layer of the white stuff on the ground, we are in for some warmer weather, mid 40s to upper 50s, over the next week or so. I'd give a check to noaa.gov or accuweather before bringing the clubs along. Good Luck!

[Augster]

It's getting close now. Anyone know if the courses are open? According to Weather.com, the current forecast for Sunday is a high of 39*. That doesn't bother me, I play in that and colder all the time. I just don't like it when the courses close because it's "too cold". I can see if there is frost on the greens and delaying play until the frost is gone, but closing just because it is cold, on a weekend no less, seems like bad business to me.

If anyone has a short list of what is open currently I'd appreciate it. It'll save me a lot of calling around, which I'll probably have to do anyway when my plane lands.

Thanks for the help. The 2" of snow we got last night really makes me long for grassy areas again. I'm ready to leave.

[GHIN n Juice]

I saw people playing Johnny Goodman yesterday.

[Augster]

Excellent. I've played Goodman before the last time I was down there. Isn't Goodman the one with the par 5 with the apartments on the right side of the fairway? I think I played there about 5PM both times, and both times there were many people out on their veranda's, grilling or smoking, or getting ready for dinner and they would heckle me as I went by.

I think that was Goodman. I could be wrong. I doubt I'll ever forget that experience. It was certainly different.

[GHIN n Juice]

Yeah, that sounds like Goodman alright. Decent track, but hack galleries...