Valentine, Nebraska is home to a world class golf destination called the Prairie Club. Located in Northwest Nebraska, this amazing place sits deep in the heartland on the rim of the Snake River Canyon. A popular tourist destination with 75 unique waterfalls within 45 miles of Valentine, the nearby Niobrara River hosts over 120,000 canoe trips annually. There are hiking and biking trails for miles, plus exceptional hunting and fishing make this a popular summer respite. Include the world-class golf and accommodations and something exceptional is in store for all that visit.
Paul Schock, founder and visionary of the Prairie Club, had one philosophy in mind when he built the club, “Provide affordable access to World-Class golf.” That’s exactly what you will find when you visit. Opened in 2010, the club features 36 holes of championship golf, a 10-hole short course, a 17 acre practice facility and the Old Wagon putting course spanning 150 yards. Four separate lodging accommodations and multiple dining options are located on the property to make this an all-inclusive experience.
The Dunes 18-hole par 73 layout was designed by Tom Lehman and Chris Brands. With 8 sets of tee boxes, the course can play between 5845 to 8073 yards. Fescue and colonial bent grass make up the playing surface and the average width of the fairways is 58 yards, making the course playable for all skill levels. Dramatic elevation changes and endless views of the sand hills are the backdrop for this wind-shaped landscape.
The Pines Course is another par 73 layout featuring eight sets of tee boxes, and can play anywhere from 5345 to 7405 yards in total. Architect Graham Marsh created this gem, which is a semi-protected parkland design which winds through the pines on the edge of the Snake River Canyon. The prairie winds are blocked by the western wall of the canyon and the towering ponderosa trees. The green complexes are significantly smaller than its sister course, the Dunes, averaging 8000 square feet where the Dunes greens average 14,000 square feet.
The club is also home to the Gil Hance and Geoff Shackelford ten-hole H.O.R.S.E. short course. Gil Hance has designed hundreds of layouts throughout the world including courses Streamsong in Florida, Pinehurst #4, and the PGA Frisco East course to name a few. This unique layout features 10 holes with a total yardage playing between 485 and 1125 yards.
Grab a couple of clubs and head out with your buddies for a game of H.O.R.S.E. Associated with basketball, this unique spin on the classic playground game is fun for all. There are no set tee boxes. The player with the honor decides where to play from, and this format is continued throughout play, just like in the traditional basketball game. Don’t be the first to get H.O.R.S.E. and loose the match. Create your own rules and variations and have fun for hours, playing from different distances each time around.
A 17-acre practice facility with practice areas on opposite sides of the prevailing winds facing North and South gives you an opportunity to practice downwind and into the wind. Finish your night at the Old Wagon Putting Course spanning 150 yards in total.
Four distinct lodging accommodations await you at the club. The Lodge is their largest venue featuring 31 double occupancy rooms located in the main building close to everything. The Bunkhouse has 12 rooms with an open deck running the entire length of the building overlooking the surrounding dunes. The Guest House offers 8 single king suites that walk out to the H.O.R.S.E. course. The final choice are the 7 cabins that have four individual rooms in each with a large common area that is perfect for that foursome of friends.
The main dining option is Caprock lounge, which offers a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning for guests. Dinner features exquisite cuts of steak, bone in pork chops, and an array of seafood flown in daily. Private rooms are available for dining for that secluded intimate feel. You will find the Dunes Saloon and Pines Canteen throughout the property and on the golf courses for all your needs during the day.
It is a day’s drive from the Lake of the Ozarks, 10 hours approximately, so you will want to plan accordingly and make this a 5 day or longer trip. Commercial flights are available but they only go to Pierre, South Dakota and North Platte, Nebraska which are both about an hour and one-half drive from the property. If you can swing a private charter that is the way to go, as you will only be minutes from the property.
I can’t wait to visit as it looks amazing.
For more information visit www.https://theprairieclub.com
