HILL COURSE AT FRENCH LICK SPRINGS RESORT
Indiana Golf Course Review 5/20/07
The Hill Course at French Licks Springs Resort & Casino is a revered Donald Ross design that has recently experienced a complete facelift - in an attempt to restore the course to its former character. This layout, which played host to the 1924 PGA Championship won by Walter Hagen, closed in 2005 and re-opened in November of 2006 with a new computerized irrigation system and renovation of the famed square greens and unforgiving bunkers.
The resort also underwent a massive restoration project, to the tune of 382 million dollars - and together with the nearby West Baden Hotel provides visitors with choices of accommodations at two first class facilities, with features such as full service spas, a spacious casino, fine and casual dining, workout and meeting/conference facilities, swimming pools, and many more upscale amenities. For more info, visit our page for the resort with direct link to their website by clicking here.
The golf facilities now include an 18-hole championship course with adjacent putting/chipping green. The clubhouse on property (which is 3 miles from the resort) has a pro shop, restaurant/lounge serving lunch and dinner, plus locker rooms with showers for men and women. There also is a pro shop at the resort, set up to compliment the upcoming nine hole Tom Bendelow Course that is slated to open late 2007 (on the terrain of the former Valley Links 18-hole design). In 2008, an 18-hole Pete Dye Course will also come onto the scene, bringing the total of golf holes on this resort property to 45.
The new Sports center on resort property includes an indoor putting green and hitting stations with nets, and an outdoor practice facility is in the plans as well. New amenities at the Hill Course include carts with the latest GPS and rear covers to protect golf bags during inclement weather.
The Hill Course now features 4 sets of tees that play to distances measuring 7030, 6517, 5981 and 5051 yards. The course had not yet been rated on our early spring 2007 visit. Besides the Po Link GPS which provides accurate info from tee to pin, golfers can rely on yardage markers at 100, 150 and 200 yards that are posted on the fairways.
The course is designed along an extremely undulating terrain, with many uphill and downhill tee shots and approaches. Sand bunkers are definitely highlighted and many of them are penal in nature. There also are some beautiful water features. The green complexes often have slopes on either side and in back, creating the need for accurate approach shots. This is a beautiful layout and a nice resort golf experience. For more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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