Roy L. Beck Memorial Golf Course
My Review
Roy L. Beck Memorial Golf Course is located in Eminence, Missouri. The story goes that Mr. Roy L. Beck left his property to the city for a golf course if they could make it work. Well they did and it has been around since 1996. It is a little rough around the edges but I would definitely play here if I lived in the area. The 8th hole is a 204 yard par 4, straight downhill. What makes this hole very unusual, and very special, is that there are 2 huge trees in middle of the fairway 50 to 100 yards from the green. The most common strategy is likely to hit your ball to the gap between the trees and fade it towards the green. I’ve got to think that 95% of the people who play this course will go for the green on the drive. But, the problem is that if you spray the ball, especially to the right, you are in serious trouble. Plus, the odds are very good you will hit one of the trees and who knows where your ball will end up. The picture above is from the tee on this hole. Would you go for it?
Sun Valley Golf Course
My Review
As the name implies, Sun Valley Golf Course is in a valley that makes for a picturesque setting. I was lucky enough to be at the course at sunrise and it was glorious. It is a very hilly course with greens that are almost perfect; most were so nice they looked fake. Besides the greens’ Pencross grass, the rest of the course’s grasses are inconsistent and in need of a little TLC in spots. I lost more balls than usual because of: 1) my unfamiliarity with the course and 2) the narrow fairways in certain spots. Several holes were really difficult, like the par 4 4th hole, which was 453 from the tips, straight up hill. I also do not remember another course in MO, so far, that had anything longer than the 720 yard par 6 5th hole. If you are looking for a course in the NE MO area, I would definitely try Sun Valley. The Par 6 is worth the drive to Elsberry, Missouri
Sycamore Hills Country Club
My Review
Sycamore Hills Country Club in Doniphan, Missouri had briefly shut down but a couple from the area purchased the course and is in the process of breathing new life into it. The above review was conducted right before the course closed so it has likely improved.
Attention new owners: when you are ready for us to come back to re-assess your course and progress please let us know. Good luck!
Hidden Trails Country Club
My Review
The Corn Growers were having their annual golf tournament but John Barge, the PGA pro, was nice enough to let me get a round in before their shotgun start. Hidden Trails Country Club in Dexter, Missouri is an excellent rural Missouri golf course. The course is located a couple of miles from Dexter which is midway between Sikeston (home of the throwed rolls) and Poplar Bluff. They have a couple of grasses on which I have never played: Mini Verde on the greens – which were very fast, but held reasonably well, and Latitude 36 Bermuda on the fairways. This Bermuda strain is now also being used on football fields so it has to be hearty, thick and tough. The course is long with a lot of hills, small greens, mature trees, a few sand traps and very narrow fairways/openings is certain areas. This is a fairly tough course which I would like to play again. Their superintendent, James Burrows, came from Texas and Tiffany Springs in Kansas City, which he rates high.
Cuba Lakes Golf Club
My Review
Cuba Lakes Golf Club is a nice course in Cuba, MO, which is located just south of 44. The course has 9 holes and is fairly easy to walk. It is a very playable course with a few holes that really tests your skills. All in all though, if you are driving reasonably straight, it is an easy course. The greens were a nice size , held well, had some break to them and were VERY slow.
Midway Golf Complex
My Review
Midway Golf Complex in Columbia, Missouri is a par 3 executive course right next to I70. I gave this course a low rating but I still enjoy playing here. It REALLY helps with your short game. I strongly recommend playing here once or twice a year if possible. It is also very appropriate for first-time golfers and a good time for a bunch of college kids looking for something different to do. The bottom line is that Midway Golf Complex is family entertainment complex (with a driving range, mini golf, batting cages, etc.). It is certainly not a great golf course but it has its place.
The Links at Columbia Golf and Country Club
My Review
One possible explanation on how and why this course was designed:
Rich Apartment Developer (RAD): Well Bob, we are in the final construction phase our huge apartment community in Columbia, MO. This thing is so big we could build a golf course in between the units.
Bob: Hey RAD, I think you are on to something. Let’s build a 9-hole course scattered among all of the apartment buildings. It’ll be a great selling point to these college kids. We’ll let them play for free but charge non-residents a ridiculous $20 (for a nine hole course).
RAD: Now you’re thinking Bob. We’ll call it the Links at Columbia Golf and Country Club.
Bob: Hey, that’s kind of catchy. The only problem is that since we built the apartments first, I’m not sure we can fit actual holes in between the buildings. Don’t you have to plan for that kind of thing?
RAD: Who knows? I’ve never actually played golf so I have no idea. But, RAD, Jr. is on the high school golf team and he can design it for us.
Bob: I didn’t know little RADDY played golf.
RAD: He didn’t until this year. The school requires that all students play on one of the school teams so he went out for the golf team because he doesn’t like contact sports.
Bob: Perfect! This thing is gonna be huge!
The Club at Old Hawthorne
My Review
With a reputation as Columbia’s premier country club, The Club at Old Hawthorne is a no-nonsense private club located a couple of miles east of Columbia. The course doesn’t have much shtik but simply offers pure golf on a beautifully nurtured course. For whatever reason I had a terrible round with one of my highest scores posted in a few weeks. The large, undulating greens posed my biggest challenge, primarily since I had been playing on reasonably slow greens on the previous 6 courses. The greens were actually quite nice; my skill level was the sole culprit. The greens seemed to play much faster than their 9.5 Stimp. The wide lush fairways were lined with beautiful homes, owned by many of Mizzou’s elite. All in all The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia, Missouri is a wonderful course and club. A special thanks to Mike O’Neill for introducing me to his buddy and Old Hawthorne member Dave Baugher.
Lake of the Woods Golf Course
My Review
Lake of the Woods Golf Course is one of two municipal courses in Columbia, Missouri. This course is northeast of the city. Its sibling, L.A. Nickell, is northwest of Columbia. Overall, I like L.A. Nickell a little better but Lake of the Woods is a nice course and offers a wonderful golfing experience, particularly for the price. Columbia is blessed to have two great golfing options in their park system. One of the more interesting holes was #11, a 575 yard par 5. Even though the hole is long, you should consider laying up on the drive; a drive of 220 yards will put you in the creek (for the record, I didn’t have to lay up – because I can’t drive 220). Then the next shot is up hill followed by a blind third shot to a green which is guarded by a large trap in the front and dense forest which is a mere 30 feet in back of the green. All this whining, and I hit my third shot 3 inches short of the cup for a tap in birdie. As they say, “Even a blind squirrel can find an acorn from time to time.”
L. A. Nickell Golf Course
My Review
L. A. Nickell Golf Course is a great Columbia, Missouri municipal course. This course has a lot of personality and is a lot of fun to play in a sadistic kind of way. The layout, particularly on the back nine, can be quite challenging. Luckily, I was hitting the ball fairly straight and long (for me) . . . otherwise I would have lost a bunch of balls on the last few holes. The 11th hole is a 174 yard uphill (to an elevated green) par 3 with a VERY small opening in the trees to reach the green. They should call this hole: “Threading the Needle.” If I thought this hole was tough (which I did), you’ll have to buckle up for 15, an uphill 377 yard par 4 through an even more narrow chute with a blind approach shot. And, then I came to #17, an impossible 377 yard par 4. Your tee shot, again, has to thread the needle AND carry about 170 yards of woods. The course’s slope rating is fairly low because of the lack of bunkers and other non-tree hazards. But, it will test all aspects of your game, especially your accuracy. Although there are many reasons to join a private club L. A. Nickell provides a reason to play public. I’ve got pictures of each of these holes.