in the Ozarks - Old Kinderhook

TRAVEL: Golf trip
I
BY MARK CRAWFORD
t’s almost tee time — that is, if you’re
in the Missouri Ozarks.
It’s as simple as making a reservation, tossing your clubs in the car and
heading south. In six or seven hours
you’re there.
Located on the northern edge of the
sprawling Ozark Mountains in central Missouri, Lake of the Ozarks is a large man-made
lake on the Osage River, framed by rolling
hills, rock ledges and forested tracts of hardwood and pine. Although it’s a popular family vacation destination, not as many people
know that, nestled in these rugged hills, are
outstanding golf courses designed by the likes
of Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Jack Nicklaus and Bruce Devlin.
“Golf doesn’t really start in Iowa until late
April or early May,” said Dubuque engineer
and golfer Brian “B.J.” Althoff. But, he added,
you can get started a month earlier at Lake of
the Ozarks. “In late March the temperature
will hit 70 degrees, the courses aren’t that busy
and most of the golfers you’ll meet are from
Iowa and Minnesota.”
The path to the best golf is the Ozarks
Golf Trail — named for 13 courses (216
holes) that are all within 30 minutes of each
other and suitable for all skill levels.
Althoff and his buddies have “done the
trail” for the last four years.
“When we come down we usually rent a
condo at Dogwood Hills Golf Club and Resort Inn, one of the courses on the trail,”
40 /DBQ March-April-May 2013
Teeing up
in the
Ozarks
Old Kinderhook is an 18-hole course designed by former pro golfer Tom Weiskopf. Its 6,855-yard
layout can be quite challenging. Photo courtesy of Old Kinderhook.
It’s sunny, 70 degrees and a
perfect place to work on your
game before spring arrives
in the tri-states
said Althoff. “The resort sets up the courses
we want to play and the tee times, which are
very reasonably priced. The charges come
back to the room, so it is very convenient.”
The 18-hole Dogwood Hills golf course is
a good place to start. It is well-known for its
Bermuda fairways and well-conditioned bent
grass greens. Carts are allowed on the fairways.
It also is the only golf course in the area with
a lighted practice range, so if you didn’t get
enough golf in during the day, you can putt
and chip away into the night. Try to reserve
a villa on the golf course, where you can enjoy your morning coffee on your private patio
overlooking the 12th fairway.
Located on the bluffs overlooking the
Osage River, Osage National Golf Resort
was designed by Arnold Palmer and opened
for play in 1992. This popular 27-hole course
has been highly rated by Golf Digest and has
hosted a number of professional events. Carts
are equipped with GPS units to assist golfers
with shot selection. Five sets of tees make the
course enjoyable for every skill level.
“Osage National is also right on the lake,
which forms a natural water patch,” said
Althoff. “The scenery is gorgeous, too.”
Two other outstanding courses carved
out of these hills by golf masters are Old
Kinderhook and The Club at Porto Cima.
Designed by Weiskopf, Old Kinderhook
is an 18-hole, 6,855-yard course with zoysia tees and bent grass fairways. The rolling topography and elevation changes make
play challenging and scenic. The 18-hole
March-April-May 2013 DBQ /41
More than 1,150 miles of scenic shoreline at the Lake of
the Ozarks offer lots of aquatic options. Most marinas and
resorts rent watercraft. Photo courtesy of Branson/Lakes
Area CVB.
Dogwood Hills Golf course is known for its well-conditioned bent grass greens, among
other things. Photo courtesy of Dogwood Hills Golf course.
Porto Cima course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2000. Five holes
play along Lake of the Ozarks; the 393-yard par-four 17th hole takes you over the
lake twice.
The easiest (and most affordable) way to set up a trip to Lake of the Ozarks
is by booking a Golf Trail Package online. Simply pick the dates, courses, tee
times and lodging needs, and the hotel will take care of the logistics. The package
works for any of the 13 courses on the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail; the single
price covers lodging, green fees and cart rental. Visit www.golfingmissouri.com/
packages/ for details.
“Lake of the Ozarks is a very friendly, quick getaway,” said Althoff. “The golf
is challenging, but not so challenging that it’s not enjoyable.”
With that advice, take a trip down south and get the kinks worked out of your
game so you can impress your golfing partners when you get together for the first
time in the tri-states at the Meadows or Lacoma — in May. DBQ
Need a break?
Here are some day-trip getaways
■ Lake of the Ozarks. There is more to do in Lake
of the Ozarks than just golf. Take a day to unwind and
enjoy more than 1,150 miles of shoreline, with plenty of
private coves and hideaways for lounging, swimming
and fishing. Most marinas and resorts rent watercraft,
including waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing and
boating. There usually is some hot action for bass, crappie and catfish, so bring your fishing gear along.
■ Wine Country. Located in the heart of Lake of the
Ozarks country are a number of well-established wineries
— ideal stops for half-days or full-days of leisurely travels
and sight-seeing. Wineries include Seven Springs Winery
at Linn Creek, Casa de Loco Winery (Camdenton), Grey
Bear Vineyards and Winery (Stover), Eichenberg Winery
(Cole Camp), Shawnee Bluff Winery (Lake Ozark) and
Golden Rock Winery (Camdenton). Most are open by 11
a.m. for tastings and offer scenic vistas of rolling hills and
expanses of river. Bring a book, relax and try not to think
about golf.
■ Branson. About two hours south of Lake of the
Ozarks is Branson, which bills itself as the “Live Music
Show Capital of the World.” There are plenty of attractions, including live theater, museums, a theme park and
shopping in the historic downtown. If you can’t bring
yourself to stroll, drop off the family and get in a quick
nine at Thousand Hills Resort, a top-ranked golf course
only about a nine-iron away.
After golfing at scenic Osage National Golf Resort, you might want to relax in the Osage
National Sports Bar. Photo courtesy of Osage National Golf Resort.
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■ Eureka Springs. This Victorian village is about
an hour southwest of Branson, just past the Arkansas
border. Steep, winding streets are lined with elegant
Victorian-style homes. Streets follow the natural curves
of the hills. The Mud Street Café is a great spot for
breakfast or lunch, with award-winning coffee and desserts. Be sure to visit the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa,
a landmark property with 15 acres of gardens and
trails.