TROPHY CLUB (765-482-7272)
Indiana Golf Course Review 9/24/06
The Trophy Club in Lebanon is a 4 1/2 star (Golf Digest Places to Play), Tim Liddy par 72 championship design that plays to over 7200 yards. The property garnered many well deserving awards including: "America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses" from Golf Digest in 2004, # 4 Best Course in Indiana in 2001, and # 4 Best New Public course in America (Golf Digest 1999). The Trophy Cub has played host to the 2002 Indiana Women's Golf Association Match Play Championship, the 2001 Indiana State Open, the 2001 Indiana PGA Senior Championship, the 1999 Indianapolis Open and the 1999 Indiana PGA Senior Open!
Located on US highway 52 in Lebanon just northwest of Indy, this beautifully conditioned links style layout features wide bent grass fairways, finely sculpted sand bunkers (100 total), undulating green complexes, numerous ponds, lakes and creeks plus vibrantly colored tall, native grasses that border the manicured playing surfaces. The water hazards, which come into play on 8 holes, add aesthetic beauty and provide challenge for all levels of players.
Big hitters will delight in the black tee areas, which measure 7280 yards and play to a slope of 131. The generous landing zones beg for a grip it and rip it mentality on quite a few holes. Sloping putting surfaces that are often raised and are frequently surrounded by sand traps, mounds, swales and collection areas, demand accurate approaches and create a need for a good short game.
Alternate sets of tees play to distances and slopes measuring 6580 yards/125 slope, 6006 yards/120 slope and 5050 yards with a slope rating of 117 from the forward tees. On course golfers will find sprinkler heads that are measured to the center of the green, plus 100, 150 and 200 yard markers on the fairways and cart paths. Pin Placement info is posted on all carts, as hole locations rotate from the front, middle and backs of the greens. Weather covers and hole diagram booklets are also standard on all carts.
On property is a large targeted grass range, short game area and practice green. The clubhouse features a nicely stocked pro shop plus a Hogan Grill and Bar serving hot & cold sandwiches and beverages. The Pavilion Room provides event/outing facilities that can accommodate up to 180 guests. Golf lessons are available as are memberships of varying types.
The course was in outstanding condition on our late September visit. Architect Pete Dye did a wonderful job in sculpting a great variety of golf holes from this rolling topography. Waste areas and contoured bunkers are often laced with gnarly rough and flanked by colorful wildflowers and tall grasses. Often times it is better to be in the bunker than in the nearby rough. There is usually ample room to recover from offline tee shots, but playing from the wrong side of the many doglegs makes for a challenging and long approach.
This is a serene and scenic golf experience, not to be missed by those traveling in the Indianapolis area. Rates including cart topped out at around $60 in 2006, with seasonal and senior/junior discounts available. We highly recommend a round of golf here! For more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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