Cross country Golf Trip

[Reif]

Just found out I'm driving a friend's furniture from San Diego to New York.

 

Because of the circumstances, I'll be able to take my time and play golf almost every day, if not every day.

 

I figure to play in St. George UT, Denver CO, somewhere near I-80 in either Eastern Nebraska or Iowa, I'm going to play Cog Hill (I think) in Chicago, and I have friends in PA and New York to round it out.

 

So I guess I'm looking for one round recommendations for St. George/Mesquite, Denver, and Nebraska/Iowa.

 

Budget wise, let's say less than $150 weekend, but I'll consider paying more if someone says there's a killer option.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

Reif

[Hateto3Putt]

Just found out I'm driving a friend's furniture from San Diego to New York.

 

Because of the circumstances, I'll be able to take my time and play golf almost every day, if not every day.

 

I figure to play in St. George UT, Denver CO, somewhere near I-80 in either Eastern Nebraska or Iowa, I'm going to play Cog Hill (I think) in Chicago, and I have friends in PA and New York to round it out.

 

Budget wise, let's say less than $150 weekend, but I'll consider paying more if someone says there's a killer option.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

Reif

 

Get yourself a good GPS unit. When you get to where you feel like playing, do a search for local golf courses and using the GPS provided phone numbers, call a few up. Depending on the truck you're driving, you may want to ask to make sure they can accommodate it in their parking lot.

 

Sounds like fun!

 

[TheDarkOne]

[quote name='Reif' date='19 July 2010 - 03:24 AM' timestamp='1279524246' post='2585203']
Just found out I'm driving a friend's furniture from San Diego to New York.

Because of the circumstances, I'll be able to take my time and play golf almost every day, if not every day.

I figure to play in St. George UT, Denver CO, somewhere near I-80 in either Eastern Nebraska or Iowa, I'm going to play Cog Hill (I think) in Chicago, and I have friends in PA and New York to round it out.

So I guess I'm looking for one round recommendations for St. George/Mesquite, Denver, and Nebraska/Iowa.

Budget wise, let's say less than $150 weekend, but I'll consider paying more if someone says there's a killer option.

Thanks for any help.

Reif
[/quote]

Hunters Ridge in Iowa, if I remeber correctly one of the Par 5s is like 620-630 if they have the tips at extremes. Real nice course, I think you would like.

It might also recomend checking on the different sections of this site where people post about the areas they play in, you might be able to get someone to meet up with from here.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Central Nebraska, Wild Horse in Gothenburg! St. George, Sandhollow. Denver, Arrowhead but Fossil Trace is closer to I 70.

[Reidman]

[quote name='dirtyboy' date='19 July 2010 - 07:40 AM' timestamp='1279543207' post='2585394']
Central Nebraska, Wild Horse in Gothenburg! St. George, Sandhollow. Denver, Arrowhead but Fossil Trace is closer to I 70.
[/quote]

+1 on Sandhollow in St George....another option is Wolf Creek in Mesquite...another must play. Unforgettable tee shots and course conditions.

[theironhorse]

Actually it is Blue Top Ridge in Iowa. Newer course, can be very long depending on which tees you play. Hunters Ridge is about 30 miles north off I-80-very solid course, but not worth a stop imo.

[Preduck]

I will second Wild Horse in Gothenburg. It's a great links style course with some crazy deep bunkers. If I'm not mistaken, it's very reasonably priced and it's not far off of I-80.

I hear quarry oaks is another solid track in the omaha area. I have yet to play it, but it gets some good reviews.


It's a little bit off of 80, but the Harvester in Rhodes is one of the top ranked public courses in the US.

I have yet to play Blue Top, but I have heard good things about it.

TPC Deere Run is a solid track in Silvis that shouldn't be overlooked.

[Lexicographer]

I've played Hunters Ridge, Bluetop Ridge and Harvester in Iowa. Harvester is definitely tops, and only about 20 miles off of 80. Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City might also be worth a look. More of a target golf course if that's your style.

[theironhorse]

I would play TPC Deere Run over Harvester and Blue Top. Harvester has had some problems this year with fairway/first cut and it is not the "prettiest" looking track right now. All 3 are good courses though. Harvester will be the most expensive btw.

[In2Bate]

One more for Wildhorse in Gothenberg, NE. Great track. Poor mans Sand Hills GC. I guarantee you've played courses similar to all the other mentioned (i.e. TPC Deere, Harvester, etc). If you play Wildhorse, you're in for a totally different type of experience - which makes it worth it. Plus, it's inexpensive and RIGHT off the interstate (I-80).

[feedlotdoc]

Another for Wildhorse in Gothenburg. It is about 5 minutes off I-80, and an AWESOME track!! I play it every chance I get. I played 18 on a Wednesday for $50.

[deadsolid...shank]

Wild Horse in Gothenburg is everything everyone says it is, but you'll think you're completely lost trying to get there, literally have to take a gravel county road to get there, but its worth it(there is a back way in, exit I80 just west of there ,but I can't remember the exit number, you than don't have to drive all the way through Gothenburg)

Also another vote for Quarry Oaks in Ashland(between Lincoln and Omaha), and this one is really just off the interstate.

If you can spare two days in the Cornhusker state and play both you wouldn't be dissapointed.

[Preduck]

Any update on courses you decided to play?

[jimmythanut]

Being a Gothenburg native, I'm biased but would say Wildhorse is the best deal you'll find on your trip. I can also assure you it doesn't take long to drive a truck "all the way through" the town of 2300. Also a note to anyone heading that way, the gravel road has now been paved.

[sabram]

[quote name='Reif' timestamp='1279524246' post='2585203']
Just found out I'm driving a friend's furniture from San Diego to New York.

Because of the circumstances, I'll be able to take my time and play golf almost every day, if not every day.

I figure to play in St. George UT, Denver CO, somewhere near I-80 in either Eastern Nebraska or Iowa, I'm going to play Cog Hill (I think) in Chicago, and I have friends in PA and New York to round it out.

So I guess I'm looking for one round recommendations for St. George/Mesquite, Denver, and Nebraska/Iowa.

Budget wise, let's say less than $150 weekend, but I'll consider paying more if someone says there's a killer option.

Thanks for any help.

Reif
[/quote]

Map this out on Mapquest or Google Maps. It's a pretty direct route and lets you play some of the best courses in the Country. It calls for 6-7 hours of driving between golf stops.

1. Mesquite - Wolf Creek

2. Grand Junction CO - Redlands Mesa

3. Brighton CO - Riverdale - Dunes Course - There are many excellent courses around Denver, but this Pete Dye course is one of the best, is inexpensive and takes you least out of your way.

4. Brule NE - Bayside Golf Course or Gothenburg NE - Wildhorse

5. Ames IA - The Harvester

6. Lemont IL - Cog Hill #4 (Dubsdread)

7. Nashport OH - Longaberger

8. Bedford PA - Bedford Springs Old Course

9. Bethpage, NY - Black or Red course


Here are links to my pix of some of most of these courses.

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/557768692fBmMJz"]Wolf Creek[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/577425715VMZuzh"]Denver area golf courses[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/578343768MIMgNw"]Fossil Trace[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/578358964BloaTr"]Bayside[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/578350873CmvhqJ"]Wilod Horse[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/578136020gxKSRO"]Harvetser[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/573068588DuArZP"]Bethpage Black US Open[/url]

[deadsolid...shank]

[quote name='jimmythanut' timestamp='1282518494' post='2655367']
Being a Gothenburg native, I'm biased but would say Wildhorse is the best deal you'll find on your trip. I can also assure you it doesn't take long to drive a truck "all the way through" the town of 2300. Also a note to anyone heading that way, the gravel road has now been paved.
[/quote]


Thats good to know, since my son graduated from UNK, I haven't been east for a while so haven't played WildHorse in a couple of years. Have to make sure and get back there next season.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Unfortunately, we didn't get to Gothenburg yet this year, have been there the last 2 years. In St. George, I'd play Sandhollow, afternoon rate of $50 is unbeatable and this course is in perfect shape, largest fairways and greens I've ever played but still tough to score on. Wolf Creek is very pricey but should be played once.

[festivus_01]

If you're okay heading a bit south, consider writing to Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, KS. It's a private club but will accommodate written requests at certain times. The course is a true gem, hosting several major championships.