Golfweek & Golf Mag Top Courses You Can Play in Nebraska Trip

[Juan73]

I am in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Nebraska this coming Summer to play the Top Courses You Can Play in Nebraska according to Golfweek Magazine. I have done the same thing in Florida in 2016 playing 30 different courses and in 2017 in South Carolina playing 11/15 of the top courses. The list does NOT include private courses like Sand Hills.

The list of 5 courses is below, I am looking for any thoughts on things to do, places to stay and your experience in playing these courses. I will start by flying into Omaha and then heading out...playing the courses as follows

• Quarry Oaks, Ashland
  
• Wild Horse, Gothenburg
  
• Prairie Club (Dunes) Valentine
  
• Prairie Club (Pines) Valentine and then the par 3 course (Horse)
  
• Tatanka Golf Club, Niorbrara
  

Then heading back to Omaha....

Any suggestions from those that have gotten to play Sand Hills or Dismal River how to get on these courses??

Also are there any other MUST play courses in Nebraska

BTW, I have read all the threads in this Forum about Prairie Club, etc. etc. Looking for more recent suggestions and guidance.

THANKS in advance

[Stetson]

Bayside in Brule, Awarii Dunes in Axtell... perhaps reach out to Dismal River as well

[deadsolid...shank]

I don’t believe Dismal River is difficult to get on. Call or email them.

 

You’ve got most of Nebraska’s best (although I think the west end of the state is vastly underrated).

 

Be prepared for a logging a lot of miles in between the courses however. You’re talking about a pretty large area to cover. But it will be worth it. Especially Wild Horse, you won’t believe the quality you’ll get for the price (although it’s not quite the steal it used to be).

 

Enjoy.

[ryan983]

Not a fan of tatanka. Definitely not worth the drive.

 

Check out Indian creek in Omaha.

[crazygolfnut]

Not a fan of tatanka. Definitely not worth the drive.

 

Check out Indian creek in Omaha.

 

Agree

[Stetson]

If driving from Valentine to Omaha than yes play tatanka, it is a Course design you cannot experience in the vast majority of American regions.

[st8kdinr]

Lot of good points being made here. Here's my two cents:

- skip Quarry And play Indian Creek. I personally feel Quarry is the older style that can leave you with plenty of balls in the woods if your game is off.

- Don't miss Awarii Dunes or Bayside. Both worthy experiences to break up a long drive west.

- Tatanka is also a worthy recommendation. The hospitality experience can be hit or miss though. I've had good and bad there within a year's time.

- And of course Prairie Club and Wild Horse can not be missed.

Either way, enjoy some great golf at some very playable courses. And welcome to NE!

[mokedaddy]

In my opinion Indian Creek is a slightly better challenge of golf but Quarry Oaks is a much more beautiful course.

 

Heritage Hills in Mccok is worth checking out and not too far from Wild Horse.

[ryan983]

If driving from Valentine to Omaha than yes play tatanka, it is a Course design you cannot experience in the vast majority of American regions.

 

To each their own. I wouldn’t play tatanka if it was in my back yard.

[Juan73]

I don’t believe Dismal River is difficult to get on. Call or email them.

 

You’ve got most of Nebraska’s best (although I think the west end of the state is vastly underrated).

 

Be prepared for a logging a lot of miles in between the courses however. You’re talking about a pretty large area to cover. But it will be worth it. Especially Wild Horse, you won’t believe the quality you’ll get for the price (although it’s not quite the steal it used to be).

 

Enjoy.

 

Thanks for the suggestion about contacting Dismal River..... I e-mailed them ... we went back and forth a couple of times... and I got a call today letting me know that I can play there.... and what I need to do to finalize lodging and tee times. NOW to try to tackle Sand Hills!!!

[deadsolid...shank]

I don’t believe Dismal River is difficult to get on. Call or email them.

 

You’ve got most of Nebraska’s best (although I think the west end of the state is vastly underrated).

 

Be prepared for a logging a lot of miles in between the courses however. You’re talking about a pretty large area to cover. But it will be worth it. Especially Wild Horse, you won’t believe the quality you’ll get for the price (although it’s not quite the steal it used to be).

 

Enjoy.

 

Thanks for the suggestion about contacting Dismal River..... I e-mailed them ... we went back and forth a couple of times... and I got a call today letting me know that I can play there.... and what I need to do to finalize lodging and tee times. NOW to try to tackle Sand Hills!!!

 

Good luck. A lot of people have had success writing them a letter.

[Stetson]

Good Luck! It’s a lot of work but worth it, closest thing to life changing a golf experience can provide.

[Juan73]

Here is an update.. thanks to some of your suggestions.  I have the following courses scheduled:

• Quarry Oaks 
• Awarii Dunes
• Bayside
• Wild Horse
• Dismal River - Red and White
• Prairie Club - Pines and Dunes and Horse
• Tatanka

And I still may add one more... if time allows.  And of course still waiting to hear back from Sand Hills... which I will stop in at anyways when I drive from Wild Horse to Dismal River, as it is on the way.  Who knows maybe I will add Indian Creek

[siegs07]

I would call Tatanka to see if they are open. I heard from someone that they had bad damage from the devastating flooding we've experienced in this region this past month. Which is too bad, I had an absolute blast playing there. Really unique land, huge wide open fairways, our group played the middle tees at 6700 which I think made it more enjoyable. I hope what I heard was wrong!

 

I'm pretty jealous of your trip looking at that itinerary!

[Juan73]

> @siegs07 said:

> I would call Tatanka to see if they are open. I heard from someone that they had bad damage from the devastating flooding we've experienced in this region this past month. Which is too bad, I had an absolute blast playing there. Really unique land, huge wide open fairways, our group played the middle tees at 6700 which I think made it more enjoyable. I hope what I heard was wrong!

> I'm pretty jealous of your trip looking at that itinerary!

 

Thanks for the heads up!! Today I exchanged e-mails with the folks at the Ohiya Casino and Resort, where I will be staying when I play Tatanka. They assured me the course will be open... in fact they told me to call the course on or after April 19th when it will be open for the season to schedule my tee time. AND they gave me directions from The Prairie Club to thier location... noting there was a bridge west of Noibrara that was washed out and will not be open until August.

I am excited about the trip... playing some great courses, AND at least two of the locations I will be meeting folks who I have only known through golf forums!!

[siegs07]

I’m really glad to hear they will be open, have fun on your trip you will have a blast.

[Juan73]

> @siegs07 said:

> I’m really glad to hear they will be open, have fun on your trip you will have a blast.

Your friend was right about flooding in the area. The flooding impacted the Niobrara Valley Golf Course, according the Nebraska Golf Magazine. Like the entire city of Niobrara, which was REALLY impacted by the flooding of I think the Missouri River.