Cross Nebraska Trip

[Argonne69]

Sounds like you keep lucking out on the weather! Bayside without wind is fairly gettable as your sweet 69 suggest, but no wind in the Sandhills region is pretty rare. Congrats on your great round, sounds like your are playing pretty much scratch on your trip.

 

Thanks! The round at Riverdale today was my 70th round of the year. I believe I've played on close to 60 different courses this year, with ~50 being first time visits. One of the courses this week was my 350th course played. I'll have to check.

 

Having played so many courses, I've figured out a strategy for playing well on unfamiliar terrain. Basically, it's boring golf, putting the ball in play, and firing for the middle of the greens. I put a new Ping G driver in play this week, replacing my Ping G30, and it seems to have been a little straighter and slightly longer. That said, the weather was a big factor. These courses are obviously designed for windy conditions, and I caught a huge break with the light breezes.

 

[Stetson]

Would you not do it again because of the driving, the cost, or the golf was underwhelming?

[PuttCurseRepeat]

Between the all of the golf and driving, and he did a TON of driving, the logistics might have the whole thing feel a little rushed or frenetic. I'm familiar with the general route Argonne took and I can tell you - I wouldn't have been able to pull it off and been at all relaxed. Sounds like the culinary aspect was not so great, which can be sort of a big deal to some people (like me), but the actual golf was great, is the impression I get.

 

I look forward to some pictures and rankings.

[Argonne69]

Would you not do it again because of the driving, the cost, or the golf was underwhelming?

 

Primarily the driving. Getting in two rounds a day pretty much means you have to have the first tee time of the day, so you're up before dawn, and then after the 2nd round you have an hour or two of driving to the next spot, a late dinner, a shower, and early to bed. It's a bit of a grind.

 

The golf was great, and I'm very glad I got a chance to cross those courses of my list. However, I'm a traveling golfer, and I still have hundreds of courses on my list. I haven't found a course that I've had to return to immediately, and that includes the Bandon courses. I'm thinking about a trip to Monterey next year, with a start in San Francisco at The Presidio and Harding Park, and finishing at Pebble Beach. Gotta knock it off the list while I'm still young.

 

The cost of the golf was more than acceptable. I mean, Wild Horse was what, $60? I've played Bandon, Streamsong, and Whistling Straits, so you come to expect the higher prices for the top end resorts. Still, lodging and 3 rounds of golf at The Prairie Club was less than $500 for a single, so you figure it's $100 a round plus $200 for the room, which isn't too bad.

[Argonne69]

Between the all of the golf and driving, and he did a TON of driving, the logistics might have the whole thing feel a little rushed or frenetic. I'm familiar with the general route Argonne took and I can tell you - I wouldn't have been able to pull it off and been at all relaxed. Sounds like the culinary aspect was not so great, which can be sort of a big deal to some people (like me), but the actual golf was great, is the impression I get.

 

I look forward to some pictures and rankings.

 

Yeah, relaxing it is not. I had a chance to have a beer after my 2nd round at Dismal, and then I had to hit the road for the 2+ hours back to Ogellala. If one only plays a single round a day, it's a different story. The fact that I had to backtrack to Awarri Dunes added 120 miles to the trip, as I had to drive the stretch from Awarii to Wild Horse three times.

 

It's certainly not a luxury trip, well, other than PC and DR. Given that I'm up and out at the crack of dawn, and arriving late, I generally avoid expensive hotels, as I really only need a reasonable bed and a hot shower. Days Inn, La Quinta, and Best Westerns do the trick.

 

Meals are certainly hit or miss. Breakfast usually consists of a muffin and a banana at the "free breakfast" hotels. If I have time after the first round I may stop for a proper meal, but often I'm hitting the road to the next course. On some trips I've gotten lucky and found a decent brewpub, as I did on this trip at Hopcat in Lincoln, but otherwise it's a Ruby Tuesday's or a Applebee's. Ah, fine dining at its best.

[Argonne69]

Woodland Hills:

 

#2 (Par 5)

 

 

#8

 

 

#9 (251 yard par 4)

 

[Argonne69]

Wild Horse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Awarii Dunes

 

#1

 

 

#2 (par 3)

 

 

Crazy green.

 

 

#9 (par 5)

 

 

#18 (612 yard par 5)

 

[Argonne69]

Union Pacific's Bailey Yard and Golden Spike Tower.

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

The drive to The Prairie Club through the Sand Hills

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

The Prairie Club Pines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#18

 

 

 

#18 approach

 

 

[Argonne69]

The opening hole at The Prairie Club Dunes course. 'Probably one of the best pics I've taken.

 

[Argonne69]

The Prairie Club Dunes (Morning)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

The Praire Club Dunes (2nd round)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Conrad1953]

Wonderful pics Arg. I wish I could have given 10 likes each!

[Argonne69]

The drive to Dismal River

 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Dismal River Golf Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The practice range

 

 

The view towards the 18th on the Red (Doak) course down in the valley.

 

 

 

 

[Stetson]

Awesome pics... when I was looking at some of those I was seeing them vividly in my mind. Like #1 at Awarii Dunes, that hole is just strange and a true 3 shot hole the majority of the time. Those pics of Wild Horse make me wish I were there now, but hopefully next weekend I will be at Wild Horse and Bayside

[Argonne69]

Dismal River Doak (Red) Front 9

 

#1

 

 

#2

 

 

 

The long 239 yard par 3 5th

 

 

#6

 

 

#7

 

 

#8 (par 5)

 

[Argonne69]

Dismal River Doak (Red) Back 9

 

#10 (par 5)

 

 

#12

 

 

A novel 150 yard marker

 

 

 

#13 (a long par 4)

 

 

#14

 

 

The blind tee shot on #17

 

 

#18

 

 

A look back from the 18th green

 

[golfdaddy01]

great read , I am in omaha and I am doing Wildhorse this fall and next year sand hills and dismal river as well. love nebraska golf as well as a few courses in surround states, firekeeper and colbert hills are fantastic in kansas and harvester in iowa is top notch. if doing quarry oaks just make it a long day and play both ironhorse and quarry oaks. If in omaha johnny goodman is one of the better muni's in the country.

[Fbgstaff]

Dismal River Golf Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The practice range

 

 

The view towards the 18th on the Red (Doak) course down in the valley.

 

 

 

 

 

Love the porch off the clubhouse at Dismal

[deadsolid...shank]

Argonne, those par three greens on,the Dunes are unreal aren't they. I always tell people if the pin is up front on the par threes to make sure and look over the back edge,,there is A LOT more green there.

 

It's funny on the driving issue. It seems like it's become just a routine thing( long drives for everything) out here because everything is separated by a pretty good distance. We plan on driving. I have several good friends who make the 400 mile trek to Lincoln for every home Husker game I go to Denver probably five or six times a month (200 miles), sometimes go over, come home, and do it again the next day.

 

. Just a long way between things here.

[deadsolid...shank]

And great pictures Argonne.

 

Now to a question. I've posted about this before, it's just a a personal feeling or preference.

 

In all those pictures, everything looks remarkably similar. I probably have many of the same shots on my phone. If they're not labeled I'll be very hard pressed to identify what course each one is from.

 

It's why I still prefer something with more definition. Something framing the hole. I know I'm the oddity here (and many, many other places as well!) but I'm just not as big a fan of these types of courses as many other people are. Probably why I actually liked the Pines better than the Dunes.

[Argonne69]

And great pictures Argonne.

 

Now to a question. I've posted about this before, it's just a a personal feeling or preference.

 

In all those pictures, everything looks remarkably similar. I probably have many of the same shots on my phone. If they're not labeled I'll be very hard pressed to identify what course each one is from.

 

It's why I still prefer something with more definition. Something framing the hole. I know I'm the oddity here (and many, many other places as well!��) but I'm just not as big a fan of these types of courses as many other people are. Probably why I actually liked the Pines better than the Dunes.

 

Yes, a lot of the "filler" holes start to look the same. However, a number of them have a signature feature that really stands out, e.g. large bunker with wood poles. I'd say the Dunes has a number of meh holes as well. Parkland style courses have the same issue. Basically, a hole needs some landmark to differentiate itself. I'll post the "Windmill" hole from Dismal River White tomorrow.

[deadsolid...shank]

And great pictures Argonne.

 

Now to a question. I've posted about this before, it's just a a personal feeling or preference.

 

In all those pictures, everything looks remarkably similar. I probably have many of the same shots on my phone. If they're not labeled I'll be very hard pressed to identify what course each one is from.

 

It's why I still prefer something with more definition. Something framing the hole. I know I'm the oddity here (and many, many other places as well!��) but I'm just not as big a fan of these types of courses as many other people are. Probably why I actually liked the Pines better than the Dunes.

 

Yes, a lot of the "filler" holes start to look the same. However, a number of them have a signature feature that really stands out, e.g. large bunker with wood poles. I'd say the Dunes has a number of meh holes as well. Parkland style courses have the same issue. Basically, a hole needs some landmark to differentiate itself. I'll post the "Windmill" hole from Dismal River White tomorrow.

 

True. Good point.

[Argonne69]

Dismal River Nicklaus (White) Front 9

 

The course is roughly 1 mile from the clubhouse. Fortunately, the golf carts have no speed governors, and really move! Fastest cart I've ever driven. :D

 

 

#1

 

 

A view of the par 5 4th, the "Windmill" hole. The only water hazard on the course is the watering hole at the base of the windmill. Lol,

 

 

 

 

 

A look back on the 4th

 

 

#5, a tough uphill par 3

 

 

[Argonne69]

Dismal River Nicklaus (White) Back 9

 

#11

 

 

#12 (par 5)

 

 

#13

 

 

 

 

#17

 

 

A look back at the 17th

 

 

The signature 18th (par 5)

 

 

[Argonne69]

Bayside Front 9

 

#1

 

 

#3

 

 

#4 (par 5)

 

 

 

#6

 

[Argonne69]

Bayside Back 9

 

#10

 

 

#10 approach

 

 

#11, a 600 yard beast that narrows as one approaches the green (sweeper right)

 

 

 

 

#12

 

 

#13, an 185 yard par 3 with no room to miss the green

 

 

#15, a 594 yard par 5

 

 

Tough approach

 

 

#17

 

 

#18. The fairway is hidden along the right side. The green straight ahead is actually part of the 10th