GolfWRX Travel Experience

[dock4]

Another option is Wichita and do Flint Hills National and then make the 50 minute drive to play Prairie Dunes

[Chanceman]

On 2/22/2020 at 5:27 AM, Skaffa77 said:

Actually think that would be a pretty good story. Start the trek to Valentine, NE to play The Prairie Club (semi-private, but open to the public links course), then travel down to Mullen, NE to play Dismal River and Sand Hills (both private) and then round it out in Gothenburg, NE to play Wildhorse (public course), the working man's prairie links course...write a story of the travels, comparisons of the courses, likes/dislikes, etc...

We did exactly that with the add ons of Bayside and Ballyneal. Finished the trip in Denver where we played Bear Dance and Commonground. Epic.

[jwnewbern]

Anyone done Hilton Head area yet? I played Chechessee in Okatie and it is tremendous. Just private and not sure how much interest there is in private course reviews. 

[Skaffa77]

On 9/14/2021 at 12:50 AM, Chanceman said:

We did exactly that with the add ons of Bayside and Ballyneal. Finished the trip in Denver where we played Bear Dance and Commonground. Epic.

Now...that is a trip I'd love to read about.  Comparisons between the courses, clubhouses/accommodations, local restaurants, ways to kill the time while driving from one to the other...

 

I've played Prairie Club, Dismal River, Sand Hills and Bayside (fun public course in Ogallala, NE).  Never had the opportunity for the Ballyneal...but it's on the list.  I'd also throw Wildhorse in that list as it's just south of Dismal and Sand Hills and on the way to Bayside...

Edited September 21, 2021 by Skaffa77

[Chanceman]

2 hours ago, Skaffa77 said:

Now...that is a trip I'd love to read about.  Comparisons between the courses, clubhouses/accommodations, local restaurants, ways to kill the time while driving from one to the other...

 

I've played Prairie Club, Dismal River, Sand Hills and Bayside (fun public course in Ogallala, NE).  Never had the opportunity for the Ballyneal...but it's on the list.  I'd also throw Wildhorse in that list as it's just south of Dismal and Sand Hills and on the way to Bayside...

Couple of years ago now but we arrived in Denver, rented a Chev Tahoe and played Commonground, Bear Dance and The Ridge at Castle Pines. Bear Dance was the pick.

Stayed in Hawthorn Suites which was excellent value for money. We ate at sports bars and went downtown one night which was fun.

 

Then out to Ballyneal which was a highlight. Got talking to a few of the members, all very friendly. Stayed onsite.  Great food and lodging but quite expensive (by Aussie standards). The big course was a gem, The Chop Hills are very very undulating so every hole is interesting. The little course, The Mulligan was great fun. and you could play it free anytime. So I went out at dusk one night and just played about 10 holes by myself. Awesome.

 

Next stop was Wildhorse at Gothenberg, home of the pony express. Stayed at Howard Johnson's typically luxurious digs and ate at the legendary Nebraska Bar and Grill followed up by a visit to the late night bar to mix with the locals. Loved Wildhorse. Very open and fairly flat but a stern test. Clubhouse had basic food only. 

 

Head north to Valentine and the Prairie Club where we stayed in the lodge. Top quality and reasonable price. Both courses were enjoyable but while the Dunes was probably better than the Pines it is similar to others in the area.

 

You asked about the long drives. We just listened to music and rapped to each other. It was all new to us so a very interesting trip. 

One of the roads was flooded so we had to go the long way around via Thedford (good general store) to Dismal River where we played the White/Nicklaus course. Its very hard but strategically sound and nice looking. Did not have time to play the Red/Doak but there are lots of good Doak courses and not so many good Nicklaus ones.

 

Next stop was the big cohuna - Sand Hills. What a course. Like getting in to a Mercedes after being in a Toyota. Every hole was outstanding, difficult but playable. At one point I think after the 2nd you are on this ridge and you can see forever. Amazing country the sandhills. Ben;s Porch had excellent burgers. As members for a day or two we had dinner in the clubhouse and experienced their  superb food. And you have to try the Sand Hills Mule. The members were very welcoming. You stay in wee cabins down by the river Snake which are exactly the right level of comfort for the place. Basic but top quality. Understated would be the best way to describe SH. When you arrive they give you a cart which is for your use while there. Played the course twice for the price.

 

Onwards to Bayside which is a solid course on a windswept lakeside. Not the best we played but still worth it. Ogallala is a typical western town where we experienced a massive prairie storm, thunder and lightning, pretty awesome.

 

Back to Denver to see the US Mid AM at Colorado Club which was won by an Aussie Lukas Michel who is a mate of ours.

Two of us went up to the Rockies for a few days. Played Ironbridge near Aspen and Redlands Mesa at Grand Junction. Stayed in Glenwood Springs and ate at the CRH restaurant. Probably should have played Lakota too.

 

Course Ratings Sand Hills / Ballyneal / Wildhorse / Redlands Mesa / Prairie Club Dunes / Dismal River White / Bear Dance / PC Pines / Bayside / Ironbridge / The Ridge / Commonground (9 holes only).

All that took 2 weeks. Pure joy.

 

[Skaffa77]

On 9/21/2021 at 8:44 PM, Chanceman said:

Couple of years ago now but we arrived in Denver, rented a Chev Tahoe and played Commonground, Bear Dance and The Ridge at Castle Pines. Bear Dance was the pick.

Stayed in Hawthorn Suites which was excellent value for money. We ate at sports bars and went downtown one night which was fun.

 

Then out to Ballyneal which was a highlight. Got talking to a few of the members, all very friendly. Stayed onsite.  Great food and lodging but quite expensive (by Aussie standards). The big course was a gem, The Chop Hills are very very undulating so every hole is interesting. The little course, The Mulligan was great fun. and you could play it free anytime. So I went out at dusk one night and just played about 10 holes by myself. Awesome.

 

Next stop was Wildhorse at Gothenberg, home of the pony express. Stayed at Howard Johnson's typically luxurious digs and ate at the legendary Nebraska Bar and Grill followed up by a visit to the late night bar to mix with the locals. Loved Wildhorse. Very open and fairly flat but a stern test. Clubhouse had basic food only. 

 

Head north to Valentine and the Prairie Club where we stayed in the lodge. Top quality and reasonable price. Both courses were enjoyable but while the Dunes was probably better than the Pines it is similar to others in the area.

 

You asked about the long drives. We just listened to music and rapped to each other. It was all new to us so a very interesting trip. 

One of the roads was flooded so we had to go the long way around via Thedford (good general store) to Dismal River where we played the White/Nicklaus course. Its very hard but strategically sound and nice looking. Did not have time to play the Red/Doak but there are lots of good Doak courses and not so many good Nicklaus ones.

 

Next stop was the big cohuna - Sand Hills. What a course. Like getting in to a Mercedes after being in a Toyota. Every hole was outstanding, difficult but playable. At one point I think after the 2nd you are on this ridge and you can see forever. Amazing country the sandhills. Ben;s Porch had excellent burgers. As members for a day or two we had dinner in the clubhouse and experienced their  superb food. And you have to try the Sand Hills Mule. The members were very welcoming. You stay in wee cabins down by the river Snake which are exactly the right level of comfort for the place. Basic but top quality. Understated would be the best way to describe SH. When you arrive they give you a cart which is for your use while there. Played the course twice for the price.

 

Onwards to Bayside which is a solid course on a windswept lakeside. Not the best we played but still worth it. Ogallala is a typical western town where we experienced a massive prairie storm, thunder and lightning, pretty awesome.

 

Back to Denver to see the US Mid AM at Colorado Club which was won by an Aussie Lukas Michel who is a mate of ours.

Two of us went up to the Rockies for a few days. Played Ironbridge near Aspen and Redlands Mesa at Grand Junction. Stayed in Glenwood Springs and ate at the CRH restaurant. Probably should have played Lakota too.

 

Course Ratings Sand Hills / Ballyneal / Wildhorse / Redlands Mesa / Prairie Club Dunes / Dismal River White / Bear Dance / PC Pines / Bayside / Ironbridge / The Ridge / Commonground (9 holes only).

All that took 2 weeks. Pure joy.

 

WOW!  That is a helluva a trip!  Great story!!

[Skaffa77]

And you are right about Sand Hills (applies to Dismal and PC as well), just perfect serenity of you and the golf course.  
 

[deadsolid...shank]

So similar, wonder if it’s the same bunker.

[Skaffa77]

Haha.  With as many bunkers as my buddy found on that trip…I can almost guarantee he hit from that one as well!! 

[Skaffa77]

A view from 18 tee box on Dismal’s Nicklaus course…such a great view!!

[Chilidog]

If you make it to my area of the country, I would be happy to join you at Primland. It is one of the best mountain courses in the country and is probably one of the least known. It has a world class course, great hotel, great food (can’t skip the pig candy), atving, shooting, archery, etc. I’ve played most of the top 50 courses in the country and this one is in my top 7 that I’ve played any where.