GOLF IN IRELAND: MAKE PLANS TO GO PLAY -- DON’T DELAY

GOLF IN IRELAND:   MAKE PLANS TO GO PLAY -- DON’T DELAY

By Mike May (mikemaymarketing.com; mmaymarketing@gmail.com)

The decision by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews to stage the 148^th playing of The (British) Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in July 2019 was a publicity coup for The Open Championship, the game of golf in general and, specifically, for golf in Ireland.  This was the first time that The Open was being played on the island nation of Ireland in more than 60 years.  Because of the decision to bring the Open to Northern Ireland, worldwide interest from the media was at record levels.  In fact, the last time that the silver Claret Jug was presented to anybody following The Open Championship being played in Ireland, was in 1951 when England’s Max Faulkner captured the title, when it was held at, you guessed it, Royal Portrush.  Based on how popular the 2019 event was, it will probably be far less than 60 years before the R & A decides to return to Royal Portrush in order to determine “The Champion Golfer of the Year.”  As you recall, this year’s winner was a popular one – Ireland’s very own Shane Lowry.

The diverse images of the terrain along the northern coast of Northern Ireland were eye-opening for many golfers and non-golfers back in the U.S. (and around the world) who were watching on their TVs, computers or smart phones.  In a nutshell, it was clear that links golf, especially Irish links golf, is in a category by itself.  Depending on the direction and intensity of the ever-present winds, the Irish links golf experience can be alluring, attractive, and, at times, agonizing.  But, it’s always entertaining and enjoyable, just like that pint of Guinness that awaits all golfers in Ireland at every 19^th hole!

The 13^th green at Mt. Juliet.  It’s easy to see why Mt. Juliet is considered one of Ireland’s more popular golf destinations.

From a geographic perspective, Ireland is slightly bigger than the size of the state of Indiana.  From a golfing perspective, Ireland is filled with a series of clusters and pockets of golf courses which make planning a golf trip relatively easy, enjoyable, and somewhat economical.  The only ‘issue’ is that there are so many great places to visit and play golf, that making the ultimate decision on where to go play and where to stay can be a head scratcher!

Thanks to the planning and organizational efforts of Tiernan Byrne, MD, of Club Choice Ireland, the concept of planning a visit to Ireland for golf is not that complicated.  To make it a stress-free experience, the planning t should simply be put in the hands of an Irish-based golf operator like Club Choice Ireland which is in touch with all the key courses, hotels, castles, and restaurants that you will want to visit.  It’s worth noting that Club Choice Ireland is an Irish-owned and operated firm, which is known for providing personalized service as a golf-travel specialist.

“We get real satisfaction in putting together a golf and heritage experience for a new client,” said Byrne.  “Each and every itinerary is different and this allows us great freedom and flexibility to get the vacation that fits best with a specific client. When it comes to golf, we find that a combination of one or two trophy courses along with a few hidden gems tends to works best. It’s also important to have some downtime so that our guests can experience real Irish life and culture off the fairways. This can, sometimes, be the most important part of the tour.”

The accommodations at Mt. Juliet’s Manor House are castle-like and, without a doubt, a ‘cut above the rest.’

If you choose South East Ireland, you’ll be visiting the sunniest section of the Emerald Isle.  There, you will play both links and parkland (inland) golf courses.  Many of your best golf memories will be on courses that you probably have never known existed such as the Rosslare Golf Club (a hidden gem of Irish links golf), the Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club (voted ‘best hidden gem in Ireland’ in 2015), and the Waterford Castle Golf Resort (Ireland’s only true island golf resort).  Your overnight accommodations will be both historic and first-class, such as the four-star Hotel Kilkenny (a perfect place to stay in order to visit the medieval city of Kilkenny), the four-star Ferrycarrig Hotel (featuring sweeping views of the nearby River Slaney), and Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa (set along five miles of Rosslare’s sandy beaches).

One of the destinations in the South East of Ireland that deserves some extra attention is Mount Juliet, which has hosted the Irish Open on three occasions – 1993-1995.

“One of our super resorts in the South East of Ireland is called Mount Juliet,” added Byrne.  “Mount Juliet is a wonderful resort and a first-class golfing venue.”

Mount Juliet was Jack Nicklaus’s first-ever design in Ireland. The course opened in 1991.  And, Mount Juliet was the site of two American Express World Golf Championship events in 2002 and 2004.  It was also the site of a Shell Wonderful World of Golf match in 1998 between Tom Watson and Fred Couples.

The East Coast of Ireland is just as tempting and enjoyable.  That section of the country is also filled with a mix of links and parkland golf.  This part of Ireland has been described as a golfer’s paradise.  Some of the great golfing destinations include The Island Golf Club (one of the finest and most enjoyable links courses in Ireland), St. Annes Golf Club (located on Bull Island, a world-famous nature preserve), and Woodenbridge Golf Club (described as ‘Ireland’s Augusta,’ need I say more).  The overnight opportunities include the Headfort Arms Hotel (operational as a hotel for almost 200 years), The Martello (with breathtaking views across the Irish Sea), and the four-star Court Yard Hotel (one of Kildare’s best-kept secrets).

A group photo of the C. Gouge & Group from North Carolina that played the Rosslare GC in June 2019. (photo credit:  Club Choice Ireland)

Club Choice Ireland is doing a great job of catering to all the wants, needs, and wishes of its clients, based on a comment from a recent U.S. client.

"We just wanted to tell you personally what a great time we had in Ireland,” wrote the C. Gouge and Group from North Carolina.  “The country is beautiful and the people very nice and friendly. But, what really made the trip so wonderful was the itinerary you planned for us. From the time we landed in Dublin to our departure, all our needs were taken care of. The golf courses we played, the places we ate, the entertainment we enjoyed and the hotels we stayed in were outstanding. I wouldn't change a thing. Thanks so much for your hard work and planning."

For more details on what Club Choice Ireland can offer you, access clubchoiceireland.com/us or send an email to: info@clubchoiceireland.com.  Cheers!  And, don’t forget to enjoy a pint (or two) of Guinness at every 19^th hole!

FRENCH LICK’S PETE DYE COURSE: YOU MUST SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT

FRENCH LICK’S PETE DYE COURSE:  YOU MUST SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT

By Mike May

It truly is in a category unto itself, there’s nothing like it, and it has no peers in the world of golf. Those are three ways to describe The Pete Dye Course (8670 West State Road 56, French Lick; 812-936-8062) at the French Lick Resort (www.frenchlick.com) in French Lick, Indiana.

The 10^th green at The Pete Dye Course in French Lick -- with the Hoosier National Forest in the background.

The Pete Dye Course’s most obvious features are its three man-made lakes and the fact that it has been built on top of the hills that overlook southern Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest.  Many powerful adjectives have been used to describe The Pete Dye Course, such as breathtaking, dramatic, exciting, stunning, and spectacular.  All those adjectives ring true when used to describe The Pete Dye Course.

The view of The Pete Dye Course in French Lick, on a beautiful fall day, with an impressive view of southern Indiana in the distance.

The hilltop peak, where The Pete Dye Course clubhouse stands, is Mt. Airie -- 972 feet high and roughly 450 feet above nearby French Lick.  It’s worth the trip to this Hoosier ‘mountaintop,’ even if you are not a golfer.

When you arrive at the clubhouse, aka the Mansion, it’s Indiana’s second highest elevation point and it probably has the best view of any vantage point in the Midwest.  It’s Indiana’s own ‘Rocky Mountain High’ – a 360-degree view of southern Indiana and the surrounding Hoosier National Forest.  From many parts of this golf course, you can see at least 30 miles in every direction.  When Pete Dye built this course, he wanted to give golfers a panoramic view of southern Indiana.  Dye succeeded and may have actually exceeded his own expectations.

“As I built the golf course, I tried to get the tees, the fairways, and the greens in position that they have these long views over the valleys and hills,” stated Dye, the hall of fame architect who is from Indiana.  “The ambience of the course is the look, the vistas from all the different tees, greens and fairways.”

Even though The Pete Dye Course has only been in existence since 2009, it has attracted some major golf events such as the 2015 Senior PGA Championship (won by Colin Montgomerie) and the Senior LPGA Championship, presented by Old National Bank, in 2017 (won by Trish Johnson) and 2018 (won by Laura Davies).  The Senior LPGA Championship returns in October 2019.

The most dramatic stretch of holes on The Pete Dye Course is the early part of the back nine – 11, 12, 13, and 14.  On the 11th, steer clear of the volcano bunkers which hug the fairway along the right.  The 12^th is a true three-shot par five with a massive green.  The views of the area as you play the par-three 13th are memory makers.  The 14^th is the Signature Hole at The Pete Dye Course.  It’s a lengthy par five with a split fairway, divided by a massive green hollow.  Pars are celebrated at the 14^th.  And, when you play the dogleg, right-to-left, par-five 18^th hole, it’s a visually powerful way to conclude your journey at The Pete Dye Course.  Your views of the surrounding southern Indiana hills with the clubhouse in the immediate background are images which will remain in the forefront of your memory bank for the rest of your golfing life.   And, the view of the Mansion as you play the 9^th hole has caused some people to feel that the current 9^th hole might be a better backdrop for an 18^th hole than the existing one.

When you play The Pete Dye Course, you are required to hire a forecaddie.  It’s a worthwhile expense because they will help you track your ball when it veers into the rough.  More importantly, they will also give you great reads on every putt on every green and provide you with sound advice on what is the best route and direction of your tee shots.  Those forecaddies know The Pete Dye Course like the back of their hand, if not better than you know the back of your hand!

After your round, consider having lunch or the Sunset dinner at the Mansion.  The Mansion was originally the home built by former Indianapolis Mayor Thomas Taggart for his son Thomas D. Taggart and his family.  The Taggart family owned the French Lick Springs Hotel from 1901-1946.  The views of southern Indiana from the Mansion are unobstructed and unmatched.  Reservations are required for lunch and for the Sunset dinners which are only held on Sunday nights in the summer.  The most popular dinner appetizers are the shrimp cocktail and the BLT deviled eggs.  The most popular entrees are the bacon-wrapped filet mignon or the sea bass with lemon caper crème sauce, both served with roasted red skin potatoes and asparagus.  The chef’s desserts change daily.

Not surprisingly, The Pete Dye Course in French Lick is also one of the seven golf courses that is part of Indiana’s Pete Dye Golf Trail.

In 2019, the French Lick Resort was selected among the Editors’ Choice Award by Golf Digest as one of the Best Golf Resorts in the Midwest and, most recently, its Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses were ranked among the publication’s list of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses.  The Pete Dye Course moved up two spots to No. 17 on the list and the Donald Ross Course was ranked No. 99.  And, The Pete Dye Course is ranked #1 in Indiana on GolfWeek’s “Best Courses You Can Play” list.

Are you ready to make the trek to The Pete Dye Course in French Lick and head to the top of Mt. Airie?  The forecaddies await your arrival.

The Masters Tournament: Truly Second-To-None

The Masters Tournament:  Truly Second-To-None

By Mike May

The great thing about The Masters golf tournament is that you really don’t have to like golf or even understand golf in order to really enjoy The Masters.  Whether you are watching a broadcast or you are walking along the grounds of this historic piece of eastern Georgia real estate, there’s an element of class and prestige that emanates through your television, laptop, tablet or your smart phone about the atmosphere at the Augusta National Golf Club. 

That feeling starts as soon as you tune into the broadcast coverage or when you park your car and start walking toward the club.
As an event, The Masters is truly in a class by itself when compared to other high-profile special events, whether it’s The Super Bowl, game seven of Major League Baseball’s World Series, the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, soccer’s World Cup final, the Academy Awards, or a presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.  While those afore-mentioned events are ‘bucket list’ items to attend for millions of people, The Masters is perched on a different level.  Simply put, it’s second-to-none,  ‘a cut above the rest’ and as CBS states in its Masters promos, ‘a tradition unlike any other.’  And, everybody knows it – the players, the caddies, the patrons, the media, Augusta National’s membership, the current Augusta National Chairman, the current three major TV sponsors – Mercedes Benz, AT&T, and IBM – and the tournament’s two key international partners – Rolex and UPS.  In a nutshell, it’s also fair to say that getting invited to play in The Masters is more exclusive than getting invited to be a member of the Augusta National Golf Club.  While patrons truly enjoy attending The Masters, participants love playing in the event even more so.  That passion for the event is why South African golf legend Gary Player, a three-time winner of The Masters, participated in a record 52 Masters tournaments before finally stepping aside and becoming an honorary starter alongside Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.  Following the death of Palmer in September 2016, Player and Nicklaus now carry on the tradition of hitting the opening tee shots on the morning of the first day of the tournament.

There are a number of aspects of The Masters, many of which are unknown to some of the tournament’s most loyal patrons.  This confirms that The Masters tournament is ‘a cut above the rest’ and ‘a tradition unlike any other.’  And, it’s a position which Augusta National’s membership relishes and cherishes.

Listed below are a number of facts about The Masters, 13 in all, which help make this event stand out from other events, not just in golf, but in the sports world, as a whole:

1. Dinner Reservations.  Winners of The Masters each year don’t have to worry about dinner that night because they are invited to join the members of the Augusta National Golf Club for dinner in the Trophy Room inside the clubhouse.  The meal starts soon after the awarding of the Green Jacket inside Butler Cabin and on the 18^th green, upon the conclusion of the tournament.
2. Sleepover Special.  While it’s well known that amateurs who play in The Masters each year are invited to stay in the Crow’s Nest, which sits at the tip-top of the Augusta National clubhouse, many people would be surprised that it sleeps five and is 1,200 square feet of living space.
3. Trophy Time.  The permanent Masters trophy weighs 100 pounds and it features the name of the annual winner of the tournament and the name(s) of the runner-up.  The winner of The Masters receives a replica of the real trophy and a gold medal, both of which he is allowed to take home.  The replica weighs only 20 pounds.  The permanent Masters Trophy was built in England and features 900 separate pieces of silver.
   
4. The Clubhouse.  The Augusta National clubhouse predates the building of the golf course as it was originally a private home built in 1854.
5. Keeping Up with the Jones’.  In the first edition of The Masters (in 1934), then known as the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, Bobby Jones competed in the event, where he finished in a 13^th place tie with Denny Shute and Walter Hagen.  Jones’ 72-hole score was +6, which was ten shots behind the winner Horton Smith.
6. Naming Rights.  The credit for the naming of each hole at the Augusta National Golf Club is given to Louis Alphonse Berckman, Bobby Jones, and Clifford Roberts, who adorned each hole with a plant for which it is named.  The course starts with Tea Olive (the first hole), though it was originally called Cherokee Rose, and concludes with Holly (the 18^th hole).
7. Arnie’s Plaque.  On April 4, 1995, a bronze plaque, in honor of Arnold Palmer’s play and contributions as the first four-time winner of The Masters, was unveiled.  The plaque is affixed to the water fountain which sits behind the 16^th tee.
8. Jack’s Plaque.  On April 7, 1998, a plaque, in honor of Jack Nicklaus’ play and contributions as the only six-time Masters champion, was unveiled.  The plaque is affixed to a drinking fountain that sits between the 16^th and 17^th holes.
9. By Invitation Only.  There are 19 different criteria which The Masters Committee uses to draft the list of players who are invited to play in The Masters each April.  The Masters Committee, at its discretion, also invites international players not otherwise qualified.  Previous winners of The Masters are automatically invited to return and compete every year.
10. Who Is Rae?  Rae’s Creek, which has a presence on the 11^th, 12^th, and 13^th holes at Augusta National, is named after John Rae, who died in 1780.  Rae’s house was the farthest fortress up the Savannah River from Fort Augusta.  His house kept residents safe during Indian attacks when Fort Augusta was out of reach.
11. The Green Jacket.  The tradition of awarding The Green Jacket to the winner of The Masters started in 1949, when Sam Snead won.  The tradition of the members wearing a green coat started in 1937.  The jackets were purchased from the Brooks Uniform Company in New York City.  Each Green Jacket is adorned with brass buttons.  On each button, there appears the logo of the Augusta National Golf Club.
12. Par 3 Tournament.  The Par 3 Contest at The Masters was first held in 1960.  The first event was won by Sam Snead.  To date, no player has ever won both the Par 3 Contest and The Masters in the same year.  The course record is held by Jimmy Walker who recorded an eight-under-par round of 19 in 2016.
13. Winner Buys -- Next Year.  On the Tuesday night of Masters week, all previous champions of The Masters gather for the Champions Dinner, which is held in the main clubhouse.  The defending champion of The Masters selects the menu and hosts the dinner.  The only non-winner to attend the dinner is the current chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club.  This tradition started in 1952 with Ben Hogan.  The meals have ranged from cheeseburgers, fries and a milkshake by Tiger Woods in 1998 to elk and wild boar by Mike Weir in 2004 to chicken panang curry by Vijah Singh in 2001 to Spanish seafood paella by Phil Mickelson in 2011.  “You’re in a room amongst great players,” said Gary Player.  “The ambiance of the whole place is remarkable.  And, you hear so many stories.  It’s something special.”

One special part of The Masters tournament is the fact that it’s a reflection of golf’s global growth in the last 50 years, especially since 1980, when a young Spaniard named Seve Ballesteros became the tournament’s second non-American winner.  The first, of course, is Gary Player who prevailed on three occasions – 1961, 1974, and 1978.  Since 1980, players from Germany (Bernhard Langer, twice, in 1985 and 1993), England (Nick Faldo, three times, in 1989, 1990, and 1996 and Danny Willett), Wales (Ian Woosnam), Scotland (Sandy Lyle), Argentina (Angel Cabrera), Canada (Mike Weir), Fiji (Vijah Singh), South Africa (Trevor Immelman and Charl Schwartzel), Spain (Ballesteros, again, in 1983, Jose Maria Olazabal, twice, in 1994 and 1999, and Sergio Garcia), and Australia (Adam Scott) have won this event.

As an aside, 17 players have won The Masters at least twice, five of whom (Player, Ballesteros, Langer, Faldo, and Olazabal) are non-Americans.

This story would be remiss if didn’t embellish a little on Augusta National’s three named bridges – the Hogan, Nelson, and Sarazen bridges.  The Hogan bridge crosses over Rae’s Creek, allowing players to reach the 12^th green.  It was dedicated to two-time Masters champion Ben Hogan.  The Nelson bridge crosses over Rae’s Creek, allowing players to reach the 13^th green from the 13^th fairway.  It was dedicated to two-time Masters champion Byron Nelson.  Both the Hogan and Nelson bridges were dedicated on the same day -- April 2, 1958.  The Sarazen bridge crosses over Rae’s Creek, allowing players to reach the 15^th green.  It was the first named bridge at the course, dedicated to former Masters champion Gene Sarazen on April 6, 1955, as a way to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Sarazen’s famous double-eagle at the 15^th hole during the 1935 Masters, which he won in a playoff.

While so much attention is given to those who win The Masters, it’s also worth honoring the three players with the most second-place finishes.  Hogan, Nicklaus, and Tom Weiskopf share the distinction of being four-time second-place finishers at Augusta.

Next time you get together with friends to either watch or attend The Masters, you’ll be able to educate and enlighten your colleagues with some interesting facts about this event which is truly second-to-none, ‘a cut above the rest,’ and ‘a tradition unlike any other.’

INDIANA’S FRENCH LICK RESORT -- THE GOLF IS GREAT

By Mike May

If you are seeking a getaway to a resort that combines memories of yesteryear with the amenities of today, choose the French Lick Resort in the adjacent towns of French Lick and West Baden, Indiana.  It’s fair to say that the French Lick Resort, which includes the French Lick Springs Hotel (443 rooms) and the West Baden Springs Hotel (243 rooms), truly rivals what is offered at, say, the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, which proclaims itself as ‘America’s Resort.’  When you enter the French Lick Springs Hotel or the West Baden Springs Hotel, both lobbies exude ‘old world charm’ from the Roarin’ ‘20s.  The West Baden Springs Hotel, featuring its massive free-span dome that was once the largest in the world, is so magnificent that it once earned this hotel the designation as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World.’

The French Lick Resort was built in the early 1900s and quickly established itself as one of America’s premier destinations.  In its early days, French Lick and West Baden were a destination playground for the rich and famous.

THE FRENCH LICK COMEBACK:  A FACELIFT

Like many business ventures, the French Lick Resort was unable to keep up with the changing times and business suffered in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.  The French Lick Resort had lost its luster and the ‘bloom was off the rose,’ so to speak.  But, that just meant the French Lick Resort was poised for a comeback.  Enter successful medical professional and entrepreneur Bill Cook from nearby Bloomington.  His Cook Group oversaw the infusion of enough funds to resuscitate this resort that had fallen on hard times.  The property was literally falling apart.  The West Baden Springs Hotel was in such bad shape that it once appeared on the National Trust’s list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Properties in the United States.  But not for long.

Restoration efforts on both hotels started in 1996.  After a decade of work and nearly $600 million, the French Lick Resort opened its doors to visiting tourists and businesses from around the world.  Business has been brisk ever since.

The total restoration of this destination has been dubbed the “Save of the Century.”  That may be an understatement!

The main floor of the West Baden Springs Resort in French Lick, Indiana.

The recreational appeal of the French Lick Springs Resort is now on par with resort competition around the country.  It includes an indoor and outdoor pool, a six-lane bowling alley, bicycle rentals, horseback riding, and a 27,000-square foot spa.  The area also boasts 5.5 miles of hiking trails and a 9-mile mountain biking trail.

FORE!  -- A FRENCH LICK TRADITION

Today, golfers are spoiled at the French Lick Resort, as there are two world-class 18-hole championship golf courses in this small southern Indiana town -- The Donald Ross Course (originally named the Hill Course, opened in 1917) and The Pete Dye Course (opened in 2009).  There’s also a nine-hole course – the Valley Links Course, designed by Tom Bendelow.  As the names on the 18-hole layout suggest, both courses are named after their respective architects.  It’s worth noting that the French Lick Resort is the only resort in the world which boats a classic Donald Ross design and a more modern Pete Dye layout.  And, it’s only resort with two golf courses designed by two hall of fame architects.

The Donald Ross Course is one of two public golf courses in Indiana which were designed by Ross.  In recent years, the Ross Course in French Lick has been renovated, courtesy of a $4.6 million investment.  It has now been restored to Ross’s original plans, which are brilliant.  Many of the greens have false fronts, which are accentuated by the back-to-front slope of the greens.  When you play this course, check out the configuration of the 8^th green.  It’s in the shape of a square, as many greens were, back in the day.  After playing this course, you can understand why the 1924 PGA Championship was held here.  It’s a true test of anybody’s ability to play golf.  By the way, Walter Hagen won that year’s event, defeating England’s Jim Barnes, 2 up, in the final.

The approach to the 14^th hole at the Donald Ross Course in French Lick, Indiana.

It’s worth noting what took place during the 1924 PGA.  When the official photo was taken of that year’s field of contestants, both Barnes and Hagen appeared in the group photo twice – on both the left and right side of the picture.  And, this was not accomplished with Photo Shop!  Truth be told, Barnes and Hagen were able to run from one side of the group photo to the other as they were able to outrace the slow-moving camera used to capture the image of the 1924 field.

That picture hangs on the wall of the clubhouse at the Donald Ross Course.  By the way, the restaurant at the Ross Course is now called Hagen’s Club House Restaurant.  Would that restaurant, which serves delicious breaded tenderloin sandwiches, now be called Barnes’ if the tall Englishman had prevailed back in 1924? 

The bar at Hagen’s has an interesting story.  According to Brendan Sweeney, the director of golf media relations for the French Lick Resort, the bar is actually from the Chicago stockyards and was shipped down when the bar area at Hagen’s was built.  On that bar, you will see a message that was carved into the wood by former gangster Al Capone. 

Besides that 1924 PGA, the Ross Course has hosted many high-profile golf events such as the 1922 Indiana Open, 1958 French Lick Open (LPGA), 1959 and 1960 LPGA Championship, 1983 Senior Open Championship, 2012 and 2013 Women’s Big Ten Championship, among others.

The Dye Course, which includes three man-made lakes, was built on top of the surrounding hills.  Many powerful adjectives have been used to describe the Dye Course -- breathtaking, dramatic, exciting, and spectacular, to name a few.  The clubhouse on the Dye course is the old Taggart mansion.  This hilltop peak is Mt. Airie -- 972 feet high and roughly 450 feet above the town of French Lick.

When you arrive at the clubhouse, it’s Indiana’s second highest elevation point, but it probably has the best view of any vantage point in the Midwest.  It’s Indiana’s own ‘Rocky Mountain High’ – a 360-degree view of southern Indiana and the surrounding Hoosier National Forest.  From many parts of this golf course, you can see 30-40 miles in every direction.  When Dye built this course, he wanted to give golfers a panoramic view of southern Indiana.  He succeeded.

After playing golf at the Dye Course, don’t rush away.  Instead, have a bite to eat at The Mansion at the Pete Dye Course, where you can continue to enjoy the hill-top and birds-eye views of southern Indiana.

A beautiful fall day along the back nine at the Dye Course in French Lick, Indiana.

“As I built the golf course, I tried to get the tees, the fairways, and the greens in position that they have these long views over the valleys and hills,” stated Dye.  “A lot of southern Indiana is natural forest, a lot of it is state owned, so you can see for miles.  The ambience of the course is the look, the vistas from all the different tees, greens and fairways.”

The 10^th green at the Dye Course in French Lick, Indiana.

The most dramatic stretch of holes is the early part of the back nine – 11, 12, 13, and 14.  On 11, steer clear of the volcano bunkers which hug the fairway along the right.  The 12^th is a true three-shot par five with a massive green.  The views of the area as you play the par-three 13th are memory makers.  The 14^th is the Signature hole.  It’s a lengthy par five with a split fairway, divided by a massive green hollow.  Pars are celebrated at 14.

Another 18-hole course in the area that’s worth playing is Sultan’s Run -- located in nearby Jasper, a 30-minute drive from French Lick.  Sultan’s Run was designed by Tim Liddy, a Dye protégé.  Sultan’s Run features rolling hills, wonderful bunkering, and a scenic waterfall behind the 18^th green.  The 18^th hole is the signature hole at Sultan’s Run and is named Supreme Sultan.  Sultan’s Run is a brilliant creation.

You would be hard-pressed to discover a better 36-hole golf experience than French Lick’s dynamic duo of the Donald Ross Course and the Dye Course.  And, if you include Sultan’s Run, that’s a terrific trifecta.

It’s worth noting that the Pete Dye Course hosted the 2015 Senior PGA Championship (presented by Kitchen Aid), which was won by Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and it also hosted

the Big Ten golf championships for men and women in 2015.  The Dye Course is also the current host of the Senior LPGA Championship (presented by Old National Bank), which was first held there in 2017 and 2018 and is slated to continue on The Dye Course through 2021.  It’s the first-ever senior major on the LPGA Tour, another historical moment at French Lick.

DINING @ FRENCH LICK:  AN EXPERIENCE

Believe it or not, but the kitchen of the French Lick Springs Hotel is where tomato juice was created for the first time.  It was 1917 and the chef needed a breakfast juice for his guests and he didn’t have any oranges left, only tomatoes.  Hence, tomato juice.  But, tomato juice is not the only great item that emerges from those kitchens.

Dining options abound in French Lick.  They range from fine dining to casual dining to grab-and-go.  If you like steak, there’s no better choice than 1875:  The Steakhouse, which is located in the French Lick Springs Hotel.  Why 1875?  It’s named after the date of the inaugural Kentucky Derby -- May 17, 1875.

Another fun, fine dining option is Table One, the private chef’s table (for ten) in the kitchen at the West Baden Springs Hotel.  From your table, you can watch the chef prepare your meal as you look through glass walls.  Then, with the flip of a switch, the walls can become frosted which provides you with privacy and seclusion.

If you want another combination of food and history, enjoy the breakfast buffet in the Grand Colonnade Family Restaurant in the French Lick Springs Hotel.  This is where Franklin Delano Roosevelt received the nomination to run for President back in the early 1930s.

In 2019, a sports bar is being opened.

FRENCH LICK’S HIGH HONORS

Since the restoration of the French Lick Resort by the Cook family, a number of awards, honors, and accolades have been bestowed upon this property’s meeting space, spa, casino, hotels, and golf courses by publications and organizations such as Golf Digest, Golfweek, GOLF Magazine, LINKS Magazine, Southern Gaming, Reader’s Choice Awards, Conde Nast Traveler, and U.S. News & World Report.  The national recognition has been steady and strong since 2008.

Historians have also taken note as both the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Resort Hotel are designated on the National Register of Historic Places.

Suffice it to say, it won’t be easy leaving The French Lick Resort and its world-class golfing and dining opportunities – and its gaming and entertainment options -- but it will be easy making plans for a return trip to this getaway in the Hoosier National Forest.