ISO Road Trip Golf Course Suggestions - Omaha to St. Louis

[DrOldSchool]

Work is taking me from my home base in Indy - Omaha - St. Louis - home the first few days of June for a couple of conferences.

 

I decided to play TPC Deere Run on the way to Omaha. What I am looking for is info on other courses in these areas:

 

Omaha (late afternoon round, not certain 6/1)

Kansas City area 6/2

St. Louis or nearish to I-70 in Illinois/Western Indiana on 6/4

 

I've never played in those areas (or been to Omaha), so any advice would be appreciated!

[jaygween]

If you wanted to do a stop in St. Louis, I would suggest playing Gateway National. It's one of the nicer public courses in the area, has pretty affordable rates and would be right off I-70 (5-10 min). I haven't played it yet this year but it's always in good shape and had bent grass fairways. It's right across the Mississippi from downtown STL so some of the holes have cool views of the arch and the city. My only complaint is that when I normally play it the pace of play isn't very good. But that's always on the weekend so if you played during the week I'm sure you would be fine.

 

Annbriar is another good option on the Illinois side but it would be a littler farther out of your way. Maybe 30 min. Far Oaks and Stonewolf a couple other possibilities you could look at.

 

I played TPC Deere Run last summer and loved it. It's in the middle of no where with no houses in sight and bent grass everything. Fun layout. If you haven't played it, you'll definitely enjoy it.

[SteveL1]

Check out Govenors Run in Carlyle, IL. Not too far off I-70 a little west of Effingham. For St. Louis area, I agree with jaygween on Gateway, Annbriar, Far Oaks and Stonewolf. On the west side of town, a 15 min detour south on Hwy 94 would get you to Missouri Bluffs. If you have any club pro connections, they may be able to get you on Norwood Hills or Glen Echo. Both are right off I-70 near the airport and nice private courses. Actually, Glen Echo is currently desperate for new members so a phone call to the pro there may just get you on. Tell him you're moving to St. Louis and looking for a private club to join. They have been running commercials on the Golf Channel promoting a deal to join. I was a member there for about 10 years back in the '90s and love the layout.

 

Avoid Tappawingo as about half the course is currently under water from flooding and will take months to get back in decent shape.

[Stetson]

Omaha metro specifically... Quarry Oaks is a safe bet and likely consensus. Omaha is not a great golf course area but that one is pretty solid.

 

If driving to Omaha than I'd say to stop in Rhodes, IA and play The Harvester instead. The best golf in Nebraska is not in Omaha

[Golfjohnson88]

Check out Govenors Run in Carlyle, IL. Not too far off I-70 a little west of Effingham. For St. Louis area, I agree with jaygween on Gateway, Annbriar, Far Oaks and Stonewolf. On the west side of town, a 15 min detour south on Hwy 94 would get you to Missouri Bluffs. If you have any club pro connections, they may be able to get you on Norwood Hills or Glen Echo. Both are right off I-70 near the airport and nice private courses. Actually, Glen Echo is currently desperate for new members so a phone call to the pro there may just get you on. Tell him you're moving to St. Louis and looking for a private club to join. They have been running commercials on the Golf Channel promoting a deal to join. I was a member there for about 10 years back in the '90s and love the layout.

 

Avoid Tappawingo as about half the course is currently under water from flooding and will take months to get back in decent shape.

Tappawingo is a solid course, love their range. How long will they be shut down for?

[golfdaddy01]

if in omaha play indian creek ( web.com tour host) or johnny goodman. quarry oaks is 35 40 mins from downtown omaha but is nice course.

[Stetson]

if in omaha play indian creek ( web.com tour host) or johnny goodman. quarry oaks is 35 40 mins from downtown omaha but is nice course.

 

While I won't complain about either, I thought Indian Creek and decided not to recommend it because there are literally 100 of those out there. Goodman is a great muni track and I am a big fan.

[DrOldSchool]

The Omaha round will be tricky. My conference participation will wrap around 330, and I'll be on campus at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. So the closer to there the better, and it appears Goodman is the closest recommended so far.

 

I appreciate all the help so far and in advance!

[McMoo]

Gateway or Missouri bluffs are your best options near STL. Gateway is a flat links style course with views of the arch and the only bent grass fairways on a public course in STL. MO bluffs is more wooded, big elevation changes. The zoysia should be nice by June. Annbriar is very nice but out of your way. Stay away from tapawingo, it's gone downhill since it changed ownership a few years ago and the recent floods will have ruined 2 of the 3 nines.

 

Glen echo is a fun course. Short but tricky greens and slopes. Hosted the first Olympic golf event in 1904. It's not in the best area so they are struggling with membership, you may be able to call over there and get a round in.

 

It won't be in good condition, but normandie is another historic course, built in 1901 and oldest public course west of the Mississippi. Good old style layout but lots of neglect. Apparently it's getting better though....

 

Depending on day and time I may be able to join you for a round.

[Stetson]

Yikes, your round just got significantly more tricky. Because there are leagues at many courses at night, you may not be able to get on goodman any weeknight after 4. Is the date 5/31 or 6/1?

 

If you are a member someplace I'd suggest having the club pro start making calls in Omaha because leagues are a detriment. Also, UNO is in an older part of town where most of the options near by are private.

[SteveL1]

Tappawingo got flooded in Dec of 2015 just about as bad as they did last week and it took a long time for them to get the River course back to decent condition. I played there in August and the traps were still unrepaired and had no sand and tons of 2' tall weeds in them. The Praire didn't get hit as bad but was still a little rough in August. The Woodlands is high enough that it didn't get any flood damage to speak of. Not sure how the new owner will tackle the recent flood damage.

[DrOldSchool]

Gateway or Missouri bluffs are your best options near STL. Gateway is a flat links style course with views of the arch and the only bent grass fairways on a public course in STL. MO bluffs is more wooded, big elevation changes. The zoysia should be nice by June. Annbriar is very nice but out of your way. Stay away from tapawingo, it's gone downhill since it changed ownership a few years ago and the recent floods will have ruined 2 of the 3 nines.

 

Glen echo is a fun course. Short but tricky greens and slopes. Hosted the first Olympic golf event in 1904. It's not in the best area so they are struggling with membership, you may be able to call over there and get a round in.

 

It won't be in good condition, but normandie is another historic course, built in 1901 and oldest public course west of the Mississippi. Good old style layout but lots of neglect. Apparently it's getting better though....

 

Depending on day and time I may be able to join you for a round.

 

Would be looking at Sunday 6/4 - anytime for the STL area round, though I'd prefer say mid-morning so I can get on the road back to Indy after the round. I liked the way gateway national looked, and am favoring there of all the suggestions. I'm not a member anywhere, so I don't have a pro to call on my behalf or anything.

 

For the Omaha round, it would be the evening of 6/1. Still interested in suggestions around KC for 6/2!

[jay_dwight]

Unfortunately if you want great courses in the metro you have to play private. I'd also suggest Benson Park over Goodman, both are comparable so just preference.

[Stetson]

Unfortunately if you want great courses in the metro you have to play private. I'd also suggest Benson Park over Goodman, both are comparable so just preference.

 

Benson will be much less busy, but getting there at that time of day will take much longer.

 

Omaha just isn't a very good golf town unfortunately, anything worth playing is private or outside the metro

[jli2636]

This is based off of 2nd hand reports because I've never played these but Creekmoor or Stone Canyon would be along your route and be worth a stop in the KC area.

[nix]

KC depends on where you are going to stay or if you are going to stay. Also on preference on types of course.

 

Hillcrest and Swope are old courses with big name designers (ross and tillinghast respectively). I really like both courses

 

Stone Canyon is difficult and depends on conditions, but a decent track which will improve with age.

 

Played creekmoor once in a scramble, liked it. But not really on the way from omaha to st. loouis as it's south side of the city.

[Smitty1304]

KC depends on where you are going to stay or if you are going to stay. Also on preference on types of course.

 

Hillcrest and Swope are old courses with big name designers (ross and tillinghast respectively). I really like both courses

 

Stone Canyon is difficult and depends on conditions, but a decent track which will improve with age.

 

Played creekmoor once in a scramble, liked it. But not really on the way from omaha to st. loouis as it's south side of the city.

 

Nix is pretty spot on with courses in the area. Hillcrest and Swope are both old courses that are decently narrow.

 

Other courses I'd recommend:

 

Stone Canyon - East of KC

Winterstone- East of KC

Shoal Creek- North KC

Creekmore- South of KC

Ironhorse ( most expensive; ~$80 a round) - West of KC

[McMoo]

I played gateway yesterday and it was in very good condition, fast and firm, and the bent grass was perfect. Only bad part was the bunkers. They still haven't been fully restored after the torrential rains a few weeks ago. Most were completely bare. Well worth the $35 weekday price but not sure about $70+ on the weekend. I haven't been out much to other public courses to compare so everywhere may be like that.

[robdalky]

The Omaha round will be tricky. My conference participation will wrap around 330, and I'll be on campus at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. So the closer to there the better, and it appears Goodman is the closest recommended so far.

 

I appreciate all the help so far and in advance!

 

If you're at UNO it's a wash distance wise between Goodman and Benson. Although it's been a couple years since playing there I've played dozens of rounds there and always preferred Goodman (aka Applewood). Indian Creek is a great track but too far away from UNO. Tregaron and several other options fit into the too far away category. I'd go with Goodman.

[Stetson]

The Omaha round will be tricky. My conference participation will wrap around 330, and I'll be on campus at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. So the closer to there the better, and it appears Goodman is the closest recommended so far.

 

I appreciate all the help so far and in advance!

 

If you're at UNO it's a wash distance wise between Goodman and Benson. Although it's been a couple years since playing there I've played dozens of rounds there and always preferred Goodman (aka Applewood). Indian Creek is a great track but too far away from UNO. Tregaron and several other options fit into the too far away category. I'd go with Goodman.

 

Depending on league play I approve of this message lol

[JEFFERYLEE]

Omaha metro specifically... Quarry Oaks is a safe bet and likely consensus. Omaha is not a great golf course area but that one is pretty solid.

 

If driving to Omaha than I'd say to stop in Rhodes, IA and play The Harvester instead. The best golf in Nebraska is not in Omaha

 

Yes... HIGHLY recommend the Harvester.

[DrOldSchool]

KC folks... Friday seems to be tournament day in your area, and since I need to play a morning round I'm looking at Falcon Lakes or Drumm Farm. Any opinions on either/both?

 

I had a time at Winterstone but they canceled on me. It appears Stone Canyon, Swope, Shoal, and a couple others I looked at all have events.

[Almostscratchonce]

KC folks... Friday seems to be tournament day in your area, and since I need to play a morning round I'm looking at Falcon Lakes or Drumm Farm. Any opinions on either/both?

 

I had a time at Winterstone but they canceled on me. It appears Stone Canyon, Swope, Shoal, and a couple others I looked at all have events.

 

Haven't played Falcon or Drumm this year, but would hesitate to guess that they're any better than Creekmoor at the moment. It's about 30 minutes south of downtown, but worth the trip. Should be some times open very early or after 10ish on Friday.

[nix]

Haven't played falcon lakes, I've played Drumm, it's a decent track. But if you're deciding between drumm and creekmoor, I'd play creekmoor for sure.

[Smitty1304]

KC folks... Friday seems to be tournament day in your area, and since I need to play a morning round I'm looking at Falcon Lakes or Drumm Farm. Any opinions on either/both?

 

I had a time at Winterstone but they canceled on me. It appears Stone Canyon, Swope, Shoal, and a couple others I looked at all have events.

 

Probably too late, but Drumm Farm has been working on their bunkers for quite a while now and some still are under repair or not in the best of condition.

[DrOldSchool]

I played Falcon Lakes. It was a decent layout in good shape. Was paired up with a good group.

 

Gateway National Sunday

[rpgolf]

Sounds like youre headed through KC, which I'm not too familiar with, but if you choose to go through IA instead of KC on your way to STL you'll drive by (kind of) some of the better courses in state:

Harvester - Rhodes, IA

Blue Top Ridge - Riverside, IA

Spirit Hollow - Burlington, IA

 

Edit: wow way too late

[jaygween]

I played Falcon Lakes. It was a decent layout in good shape. Was paired up with a good group.

 

Gateway National Sunday

 

What did you think of Gateway? Hopefully you were able to get your round in before the rain came.

[DrOldSchool]

 

 

What did you think of Gateway? Hopefully you were able to get your round in before the rain came.

 

I liked the layout. We got wet on 8-9. Came down pretty good at one point. But ended fast and got humid. Only complaint were the divots in the fairways that were not fixed or filled. Appreciate all the recommendations!