| by: Dan Rusnak - 5/14/2008 10:29:15 AM |
| While the restoration of French Lick’s historic Donald Ross Course was highly anticipated, the opening of the 18-hole Pete Dye course just up the street from the French Lick Resort is sure to change the landscape of championship golf in the Midwest.
Set to open in the 2009 season, the Dye Course at French Lick will feature 30 mile views from some of the highest points in Indiana.
When complete, French Lick Resort and Casino will offer 45-holes of championship golf – the Donald Ross 18-holes, The Dye Course and the newly-renovated Tom Bendelow golf course, which has been re-opened as a nine-hole course.
I had the opportunity to tour The Dye course in 2007 while they were still contouring the landscape of the course. It was a rough ride that was well worth the bumps. I have only seen one other course in this early stage and it is sure a treat to see what happens from one year to another.
The Dye Course may become one of his most famed inland courses and is sure to be a great golf destination for Midwest golfers in the coming years.
Presently golfers can enjoy the 18 hole Donald Ross course (formerly the Hill Course), which was renovated at a cost of $4.6 million. Originally opened in 1917 and host to the 1924 PGA Championship, The Donald Ross course was renovated by Lee Schmidt, who also overseen the restoration of the Bendelow 9-holes. Schmidt and French Lick Management worked closely with the Donald Ross Society to preserve the historic integrity of the course.
During my visit in 2007 I toured the Ross course with my golf bag in tow and found it to be a great challenge. In 2007, it was named as one of the Best New Public Course Remodels by Golf Digest and was runner-up to the Old White Course at the Greenbier Resort in West Virginia.
The signature design features of Ross were apparent in the restoration. Deep green-side bunkers with gnarly faces and severely undulating greens were a great challenge.
The Ross course has hosted many regional and national tournaments including the 1924 PGA Championship.
The Bendelow renovation, a $1 million project, reduced the course to nine authentic and quality golf holes. I did not get an opportunity to play the course, but I did have the opportunity to see it and it looks to be a great compliment to the two 18 hole courses that will make up the 45-holes at French Lick. The decision to make the Bendelow course, which opened in 1907 as the Valley Links Course, a nine hole course made room for resort expansion, a state of the art practice facility and a new 60,000 square-foot Sports Center which offers a 10-station indoor driving range and indoor putting green.
Many Chicago area golfers may know the name Tom Bendelow since he designed courses at Olympia Fields and Medinah.
When I envision a golf trip with my buddies to French Lick I see starting out on the Bendelow course for a start to the challenge of golf at French Lick and an opportunity to do some gambling in the form of some closest-to-the pin competition and a skins game, while also enjoying a few beers on the course, which is not my normal drink of choice while golfing.
Then it would be on to the challenge of 18-hole play, and of course, some additional on-the-course wagers.
But the wagers don’t have to stop on the course, since French Lick is a Resort Casino.
French Lick Resort Casino encompasses a $382 million historic restoration and casino development project that includes the French Lick Springs Hotel, the new French Lick Casino and the West Baden Springs Hotel. In addition to the 45 holes of golf, the resort features 689 guest rooms and suites, a 42,000 square-foot, single level casino, two full-service spas and an array of dining and entertainment options.
For additional information, you can visit www.frenchlick.com or call 1-888-MyHideaway (888-694-4332). |
