Indiana Golf Courses

Features on golf courses in Indiana.

Valparaiso Parks’ Courses to Host Open House

March means spring, and spring means golf! To kick off what promises to be an exciting 2015 season for both Forest Park and Creekside golf courses, the City of Valparaiso’s Parks and Recreation Department will host a season-pass drive and open house from 11am-3pm on Saturday, March 21 at Forest Park. Area golfers are invited to enjoy chili and snacks, compete in a putting contest (weather permitting) and learn what’s new in Valparaiso golf this year, including a streamlined rate structure. Incentives will be available for all golfers purchasing season passes that day,…continue reading →

GolfVisions to enhance the golf operations at Valparaiso golf courses

Tim Miles, Sr. The City of Valparaiso, Indiana, Parks Department and GolfVisions Management, Inc. are pleased to announce the formation of a partnership wherein GolfVisions will work closely with the City’s Parks and Recreation staff to enhance the golf operations at Forest Park Golf Course and Creekside Golf Course & Training Center. Goals of the partnership include bolstering player development and retention programs, sustaining/improving upon current levels of usage, optimizing use of human, physical and capital resources, and improving the City’s financial position with respect to golf operations. The Park Board approved hiring GolfVisions for a two-year consulting term in a unanimous vote on January 27. (more…)

It Ziehms to Me: Senior Women’s Open is finally a reality

Len Ziehm on GolfBy Len Ziehm The U.S. Golf Assn. has finally committed to holding a national championship for senior women players. Though long overdue, that’s good news. On the other hand, the first such tournament won’t be held until 2018 and there will be differences between the first U.S. Senior Women’s Open and the only other major event for senior women, which is put on by the LPGA Legends Tour. [caption id="attachment_878" align="alignright" width="300"]French Lick’s Pete Dye Course hosts the only major championship for senior women now, but that will change in 2018. French Lick’s Pete Dye Course hosts the only major championship for senior women now, but that will change in 2018.[/caption] The Legends Championship has been played the last two years at the Pete Dye Course in French Lick, Ind., which is also the site of the Legends Hall of Fame. The Legends event is over 54 holes; the first U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be over 72 holes. Players can ride in the Legends event, won the first two years by Lorie Kane and Laurie Rinker. As per USGA tradition in open championships, the Senior Women’s Open will be walking-only. And, of course, the Legends is for former LPGA players while both amateurs and professionals can compete in the Senior Women’s Open. (more…)

IT ZIEHMS TO ME: Mystic Hills was a fun ending to Pete Dye Trail tour

Len Ziehm on GolfBy Len Ziehm CULVER, Ind. – Mission accomplished. It took four years, but my attempt to play all seven courses on Indiana’s Pete Dye Golf Trail ended with a bang on a cold but sunny November afternoon – a most pleasant way to finish a most pleasant golf odyssey. While Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the most famous of the few such golf ventures, the Dye Trail is special, too. There may be fewer courses, but those included offer plenty of variety and an historical touch as well. [caption id="attachment_854" align="alignright" width="192"]Mystic Hills flags Mystic Hills golfers had a high-flying time at the Big Cup Chili Open.[/caption] Dye – arguably the premier golf course architect of this generation — picked the seven for the Trail from the 25 courses he designed in his home state. They included his first-ever 18-holer, now known as Maple Creek, and – until just a month ago – his last course, the Pete Dye Course at French Lick. Maple Creek was known as Heather Hills when it opened in 1961. Design-wise it was a joint effort between Dye and wife Alice. Dye’s latest creation is at Keswick Hall, near Charlottesville, Va. I’m scheduled to play there in two weeks. (more…)

Tournament Highlights, Our “Champions Experience” Winner and Future Tournament Dates

ENCOMPASS CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY CAREERBUILDER [caption id="attachment_740" align="alignright" width="300"]Tom Lehman and His Caddie 2014 Encompass Championship Tom Lehman and His Caddie 2014 Encompass Championship[/caption] The 2014 Encompass Championship, once again, brought a unique Pro-Am format to North Shore Country Club and the greater Chicago area. The well-attended event featured a special Pro-Am format during the first two rounds of competition on Friday and Saturday pairing all 81 Champions Tour professionals with celebrities and amateurs. Sunday's final round was a tight race with Champions Tour professionals competing for the individual title and the $1.8 million dollar purse. Tom Lehman held onto the lead and was this year's Encompass Championship winner at fifteen under (-15), walking away with $270,000 of the purse money, followed by Michael Allen ($144,000) and Kirk Triplett ($144,000) who were both tied for 2nd place at fourteen under (-14). (more…)

Women’s Events Will Trigger Busiest Year For French Lick

Len Ziehm on GolfBy Len Ziehm

FRENCH LICK, Ind. - Golf's newest Hall of Fame has been slow in developing since Dave Harner, director of golf at French Lick Resort, announced plans for the LPGA Legends Hall of Fame last September.

The facility, to be located off the lobby of the West Baden Springs Hotel in this little southern Indiana town, is still vacant though Harner has no doubts that the Hall will be a major attraction when the Legends Championship returns to French Lick's Pete Dye Course from Aug. 15-17. (more…)

NW Indiana: Start is spectacular at Lost Marsh

By Len Ziehm Lost Marsh Clubhouse Hammond HAMMOND, Ind. - The Lost Marsh golf course didn't exist when I lived in Northwest Indiana from 1967-69 and was just getting serious about golf. What a shame! Back then, while working for the Hammond Times immediately after finishing college, the courses of choice were Wicker Park - it had a player-friendly course, the best hot dogs in Indiana and a most friendly staff - and the much newer Scherwood, in Schererville. Then there was Woodmar, right next to Wicker, but it was a private club and difficult to get on. (more…)

One Week Until the 2013 Concierge and Hospitality Professionals Golf Event!

Lost Marsh Golf CourseHello concierge golfers!! Come out Wednesday, June 19, 2013 to Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond! Play a round of golf with your colleagues and network with fellow concierges and hospitality professionals. If you are a concierge or hospitality professional and play golf … this event is sure to be fun-filled and a great way to network with fellow colleagues and spend a day at the beautiful Lost Marsh Golf Course. You will also have an opportunity to experience first-hand all that Lost Marsh has to offer (more…)

Four Winds Invitational Tournament Week Schedule Highlights

The Four Winds Invitational Tournament, a Symetra Tour golf tournament of the LPGA is at Blackthorn Golf Club in South Bend, IN June 17-23. Here are some tournament week schedule highlights: Wednesday night, June 19 from 5-7 PM is the First Annual Golfing on the Gridiron Presented by Double Tree Hotel event at the College Football Hall of Fame that is open to the public at no charge.  View the attached flyer for all of the details.  Come out and see a football field full of young kids participating in a night of games, golf and fun! (more…)

On the road to the LPGA – 2013 Symetra Tour/Four Winds Invitational June 21-23, 2013

Silver Creek Event at Four WindsLast evening we attended the Sponsor Appreciation Reception and Dinner at the new Silver Creek Event Center in the Four Winds Hotel & Casino in conjunction with the Four Winds Invitational.  The Four Winds Invitational will be back again to the South Bend Community for the 2nd year.   The Four Winds Invitational tournament one of the stops on the 2013 Symetra Tour--Road to the LPGA will be held on June 21-23, 2013 at top-rated Blackthorn Golf Club.  Blackthorn is rated 4-1/2 stars by Golf Digest's "Places To Play" and is certainly a must play golf course this year. (more…)