A five-state tour of the finest in Midwestern golf proves that
great golf destinations aren’t restricted to the coasts.
With all of the headline-grabbing golf resorts on both coasts and
in the Desert Southwest, golfers too often consider the Midwest as the place you
leave to go on a golf vacation. But with spectacular new courses opening
every year, historic resorts undergoing renovations to restore their classic
charms and luxurious golf communities opening their gates, more and more golfers
are realizing that the Midwest is every bit as enticing as a golf destination as
the heavily hyped locales in the West and Southeast.
The following five-state tour highlights several of the finest
examples of Midwestern golf...
Almost a century before it would become famous as the hometown of
Larry Bird, French Lick, Indiana was an internationally acclaimed resort
destination, with travelers coming from all over the world to enjoy the comforts
and healing spring waters of the French Lick Resort and Casino
(FrenchLick.com, 888-MY-HIDEAWAY). Rockefellers have stayed here, as have
Vanderbilts. Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed French Lick, as did Louis Armstrong
and Bing Crosby.
Thanks to a jaw-dropping $382 million renovation—including a
meticulous restoration of the resort’s Donald Ross Course in conjunction with
The Donald Ross Society—French Lick’s glory days have returned. The Ross Course
(which hosted the 1924 PGA Championship) may now be the most authentic example
of the great designer’s work: 35 original bunkers have been restored—complete
with the Ross-styled deep faces and flat bottom surfaces—and the greens have
been expanded to their original shapes. Design buffs can play the course at its
original length from the Ross Tees, while those wanting an even stiffer
challenge can head back to the Medal Tees, which stretch the course to more than
7,000 yards.
A new chapter to French Lick’s golf history is currently being
written, with a Pete Dye design set to open in 2009, which will offer
spectacular views of southern Indiana’s gently rolling hills.
Guests at French Lick can choose from one of two historic
hotels—French Lick Springs or West Baden Springs. In addition to golf, you can
enjoy Vegas-style gaming in the 84,000-square-foot casino, fishing, boating,
horseback riding, bowling or you can relax at the spa, where you can still enjoy
the healing waters of the Pluto Mineral Spring that first drew visitors to the
resort. You’ll find more than a dozen different dining options at French Lick,
including the resort’s signature 1875 Steakhouse.
In the northern part of the state, Swan Lake Golf Resort
(SLResort.com, 574-935-5680) is the perfect destination for the golfer who
is serious about his game. Swan Lake is home to one of the country’s most
acclaimed—and longest-running—golf schools. The United States Golf Academy has
been introducing beginners to the game—as well as honing the games of
professionals—since 1971. And although the school has been in operation for 37
years, the facilities and teaching methods are state-of-the-art. Your full swing
will benefit from computerized ballflight and swing analysis systems, while your
putting mechanics will be refined with PuttLab, which uses ultrasound to measure
and assess your stroke. Both indoor and outdoor practice facilities are
available, as is a five-hole practice course. And if your new swing is worthy of
new sticks, you can take advantage of one of the game’s most thorough
club-fitting systems to ensure you find the perfect set to complement your swing
dynamics.
When it’s time to take your game to the course, you’ll have two
courses from which to choose at the resort’s Indiana National Golf Club. The
East Course is the tougher test of the two, and has hosted a variety of
collegiate and Indiana amateur events. It’s not exceptionally long—playing to
less than 7,000 yards from the tips—but with water in play on no less than 14
holes, you’ll need to control your golf ball to score.
The West Course is fun and scenic. It’s no pushover, but wider
fairways and larger greens make the course more forgiving than the East. The
courses are a great value, as well, with green fees of $52 on weekdays and $60
on the weekends.
You can opt for a deluxe room or suite in the main building and
cottages are available, too. But we suggest you rent one of the four log cabins
(which sleep 10) located in secluded, wooded areas on the property.
