SAND HILLS, MULLEN, NEBRASKA

[Skaffa77]

[quote name='sosinsurr' timestamp='1335589062' post='4804520']
I played my first two years of college golf in Nebraska. We got to play both Dismal and Sand Hills. It was like playing the Old Course to me. One of those times you will never forget and will be able to recite each shot you played.
[/quote]

When did you play college golf in Nebraska? What college? I knew a guy who played for Hastings College and another one who played for UNL back in the early 2000's.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Play the back 9 at West Winds in Ogallala! We used to play Bayside, eat and then the back 9 at WW, good day of golf as WW has fantastic greens.

[deadsolid...shank]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1335825456' post='4818634']
[quote name='dirtyboy' timestamp='1335824981' post='4818564']
I've got an am tee time at Bayside tomorrow.
[/quote]

Lucky!

My wife's family is out in Imperial, NE so we go to visit from time-to-time. It doesn't give me much opportunity to golf, but I did make the drive up to Ogallala a couple years back. Hard to justify when you're there for a weekend...a full 18 becomes a 6 hour adventure when you add the drive time.
[/quote]


That is so true. Even when you turn off Hwy 26 towards the lake, it seems like it takes forever to get to the course. With your wife's family in Imperial, do you get over to McCook on occasion?

[I_HATE_SNOW]

NOt to me but, We've played Heritage Hills, kind of a let down, next time I'm in that area, I'll try Cambridge. Didn't a hail storm close HH last summer?

[Skaffa77]

[quote name='deadsolid...shank' timestamp='1335832300' post='4819616']
[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1335825456' post='4818634']
[quote name='dirtyboy' timestamp='1335824981' post='4818564']
I've got an am tee time at Bayside tomorrow.
[/quote]

Lucky!

My wife's family is out in Imperial, NE so we go to visit from time-to-time. It doesn't give me much opportunity to golf, but I did make the drive up to Ogallala a couple years back. Hard to justify when you're there for a weekend...a full 18 becomes a 6 hour adventure when you add the drive time.
[/quote]


That is so true. Even when you turn off Hwy 26 towards the lake, it seems like it takes forever to get to the course. With your wife's family in Imperial, do you get over to McCook on occasion?
[/quote]

Driven through, but never played Heritage Hills. It's on the list, but I've heard it's a bit of a let down. Great when it first opened, but now overshadowed by a lot of other great courses now. From what I've heard...lot of blind shots and of course...hills...

[Skaffa77]

Some Pics of Dismal River from a trip I had last year...I'll probably create a new thread to capture all the pics...just don't have time tonight. It's perfect...nothing but you, the ball and the game of golf!

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[Skaffa77]

Since we were on the subject of Wildhorse...a few pics from Wildhorse on the same trip. Not quite the same desolation as Dismal River, but very similar type of course for a bargin price!

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[fairwayallday]

Thanks for the Dismal River pics! That place looks awesome!

Another course added to wish list.

[omahasker]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1335825749' post='4818678']
When did you play college golf in Nebraska? What college? I knew a guy who played for [b][size="4"]Hastings College[/size][/b] and another one who played for UNL back in the early 2000's.
[/quote]

My alma mater!!

[teejaywhy]

Of course you all know a second 18 at Dismal is in the works. Tom Doak has been chosen to design the new course.

[fairwayallday]

I think I have asked but don't remember, is it going to be private as well?

Love Doak layouts but not worth getting excited about because I don't know anyone.

These pics are driving me crazy!!!

[Skaffa77]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1335888148' post='4824198']
Of course you all know a second 18 at Dismal is in the works. Tom Doak has been chosen to design the new course.
[/quote]

Yep...if I recall...it's supposed to be down by the river valley. My buddies knew more on when it was supposed to be completed, but it's generated a lot of buzz for that course.

Here's a pretty cool article on Dismal River:

[url="http://www.executivegolfermagazine.com/images/DismalRiver.pdf"]http://www.executivegolfermagazine.com/images/DismalRiver.pdf[/url]

[Skaffa77]

[quote name='fairwayallday' timestamp='1335888354' post='4824226']
I think I have asked but don't remember, is it going to be private as well?

Love Doak layouts but not worth getting excited about because I don't know anyone.

These pics are driving me crazy!!!
[/quote]

Dismal River and Sand Hills are definitely private. Gotta know someone to get the invite.

Prairie Club and Awarii Dunes are private, but they do have some stay-and-play packages.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Last fall, Awarii and Prairie Club had some sweet deals, IIRC they started in September.

Bayside suffered lots of winter kill, fairways have lots of dead grass, greens aren't too bad, since it is such sandy soil, it may recover quickly. They are to aerate greens next week.

Not a rake in any bunker, bunkers are being grassed and weeded over.

[orchardlake2003]

For the most complete and well stated review of Sand Hills and many others please check out this website listed below. In searching for more information on the greatest golf courses in the United States I was fortunate enough to stumble upon this website. He has great reviews about both Sand Hills and Prairie Dunes. Having played several of the courses he has reviewed myself I can say that his reviews are spot on. Just played PD this spring and truly fell in love with it. Hoping to play SH this year.

theitinerantgolfer.com

[QMany]

[quote name='orchardlake2003' timestamp='1335928510' post='4829052']
For the most complete and well stated review of Sand Hills and many others please check out this website listed below. In searching for more information on the greatest golf courses in the United States I was fortunate enough to stumble upon this website. He has great reviews about both Sand Hills and Prairie Dunes. Having played several of the courses he has reviewed myself I can say that his reviews are spot on. Just played PD this spring and truly fell in love with it. Hoping to play SH this year.

theitinerantgolfer.com
[/quote]

Great site. I read it a few times all giddy before I took my trip to Sand Hills.

[orchardlake2003]

It is a great site. I love reading about courses before I play them. Only a few big ones to go!

[fogdog]

Truly awesome golf out there. I'll be driving through Nebraska sometime next week. Shall I play Wild Horse for the second time or give Bayside a whirl? Any chance dropping by Mullen and begging would be fruitful? *dreaming*

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Bayside is doing better, guess they raked the bunkers and the reseeding has mostly worked. A 2 man scramble winners, shot a 54 and they parred 18!

[Skaffa77]

[quote name='fogdog' timestamp='1339947701' post='5113372']
Truly awesome golf out there. I'll be driving through Nebraska sometime next week. Shall I play Wild Horse for the second time or give Bayside a whirl? Any chance dropping by Mullen and begging would be fruitful? *dreaming*
[/quote]

Begging in Mullen won't get you anywhere. You must have the invite to play or security will ask you what your business is and promptly escort you off the property.

Typically, I would choose Wildhorse over Bayside, but I haven't been out to either this year and have no idea what the conditions are like. Both are fun, but be sure you take a cart if you play Bayside. That back 9 is a killer to walk...especially in the summer.

[wegobomber31]

Here's a hole-by-hole tour of Ballyneal:

http://www.wegoblogger31.com/2010/02/ballyneal-golf-addicts-guide-1st-hole.html

[QMany]

Just got the word that I'm heading back out to Sand Hills the last weekend of September before they close up for the year. It is one of my favorite places. I can't wait.

Ballyneal looks great. I'd love a chance to get on that track.

[farmer]

At Whistling Straights, Pete Dye moved a million tons of sand to get this look.

[Skaffa77]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1345728167' post='5520944']
Just got the word that I'm heading back out to Sand Hills the last weekend of September before they close up for the year. It is one of my favorite places. I can't wait.

Ballyneal looks great. I'd love a chance to get on that track.
[/quote]

I am a very jealous man. If by chance you or your group needs an additional person at the Sand Hills, I would very much volunteer myself.

I played Dismal River a few weeks back. It's a bit dry out there. Greens and fairways were fine, but the tall grass was definitely taking a hit from the lack of moisture.

[QMany]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1345741891' post='5522354']
[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1345728167' post='5520944']
Just got the word that I'm heading back out to Sand Hills the last weekend of September before they close up for the year. It is one of my favorite places. I can't wait.

Ballyneal looks great. I'd love a chance to get on that track.
[/quote]

I am a very jealous man. If by chance you or your group needs an additional person at the Sand Hills, I would very much volunteer myself.

I played Dismal River a few weeks back. It's a bit dry out there. Greens and fairways were fine, but the tall grass was definitely taking a hit from the lack of moisture.
[/quote]

We are actually picking up our 4th in Omaha on the way. I'm originally from Omaha and have a huge family in the Omaha/CB area. If someone can't go, I'll keep you in mind.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1345741891' post='5522354']

I played Dismal River a few weeks back. It's a bit dry out there. Greens and fairways were fine, but the tall grass was definitely taking a hit from the lack of moisture.
[/quote]

Intentional. One of the knocks on the early setup of the course was the irrigated roughs were so lush as to be totally unplayable. I understand they now don't water the native, improving playability a great deal.

[wegobomber31]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1345728167' post='5520944']
Just got the word that I'm heading back out to Sand Hills the last weekend of September before they close up for the year. It is one of my favorite places. I can't wait.

Ballyneal looks great. I'd love a chance to get on that track.
[/quote]

Q,

I'll be out at Ballyneal that same weekend. If you want to extend your trip by a day or two, I can get your group out there no problem.

[robengel]

all these great courses in Nebraska, and the average guy can't get on most of them.

[sabram]

[quote name='robengel' timestamp='1346793963' post='5586667']
all these great courses in Nebraska, and the average guy can't get on most of them. [/quote]

But many, if not most, of them ARE open to the public! Wildhorse, Bayside, both courses at the Prairie Club...

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Wildhorse tends to make the top affordable courses in the US list, with good reason. Reading their super's blog is very enlightening on the various issues facing a great golf course.