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Lake of the Ozarks offers 16 golf courses, plenty of other entertainment options
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By Tom Loeffler
sports@newstribune.com
With gas prices crushing both your will and your wallet, why drive halfway across the country to take a vacation?
Your vacation destination could be less than an hour away.
From golf to fishing to shopping to caves to skee ball, along with many other attractions, the Lake of the Ozarks offers all you could possibly want, said Steve Walker, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council.
“It's just a great place to take a family vacation,” Walker said. “Given the gas prices, that's what we're seeing more and more of. We're calling it a one-tank-of-gas vacation. And for people around here, it's even less than that.
“People are having to start thinking that way.”
And while there's plenty to keep you busy for a week or more, getting away for even a few days certainly has its appeal.
“People should maybe think about two or three days at the Lake for the water park, shopping, golf or many of the other things the area has to offer,” Walker said. “If people can't afford the full-week vacation, where else can you go that's close by for two or three days and have all the things the Lake has to offer?”
Golf is perhaps the biggest draw, as the Lake area boasts 16 courses and 279 holes.
“Golf is down three to five percent nationally, but it's been up at the Lake for the last three years,” Walker said. “Three years ago, our play was up three percent, and the last two years it's been up two percent.”
Some of the courses have been designed by some of the best-known names in the game - Arnold Palmer (Osage National), Jack Nicklaus (Porto Cima, the only private course at the Lake), Robert Trent Jones (Witch's Cove), Tom Weiskopf (Old Kinderhook) and Bruce Devlin (The Oaks).
“We've got golf courses for every level of golfer and for every size pocketbook,” Walker said. “We've got everything for everybody.”
A big favorite, Walker said, is the Golf-A-Round package that gives golfers lodging and golf at a reduced rate.
“You pick one of the 40 properties at the Lake that offers golf packages,” he said. “You call the resort, you tell them when you want to play and which golf courses you want to play, and then they'll build your golf package and give you a total rate.
“It's kind of like one-stop shopping. It's just easier, because the resort makes all the calls and sets up your golf for you.”
You can play at any of the participating 15 courses, regardless of where you stay.
“That's the enjoyable part of the golf packages,” Walker said. “You can play a higher-end golf course one day and then mix in some of the other courses. You get to pick where you want to play.
“If you can play during the week, you save money, and if you can play during the afternoon during the week, you can save even more money. There are all kind of ways you can save money and make it even more affordable.”
More information about the Lake courses and golf packages is available at www.golfingmissouri.com.
What follows below is a brief look at the courses, followed by a summary of other Lake facts and attractions.
* Hidden Lakes: Rated one of the best nine-hole courses in the country, the par-35, 3,015-yard layout has meandering fairways set amidst lake views, lily ponds and lush, tree-lined fairways. The phone number for both courses is (573) 348-3131.
* Season's Ridge: Opened in 1991, this 6,416-yard, par-72 layout was designed to accommodate all skill levels of golfers by carefully incorporating multiple tee boxes. The phone number for both courses is (573) 365-3000.
* Porto Cima: Opened in 2000, this private, 18-hole course is the only Nicklaus signature course in Missouri.
* Osage National: Featuring three 18-hole combinations (Mountain, River, Links), each a par-72, Osage National is nestled in the Ozark hills and along the Osage River Valley. The first 18 holes were designed in 1992 by Palmer, with nine additional holes added in 1998. Wandering creeks, lakes and water features lead to greens that range from 29-47 yards in depth. Phone: (573) 365-1950.
* Dogwood Hills: The 6,157-yard, par-70 course features generous fairways and a rolling terrain to provide a variety of shots for golfers of all skill levels. Phone: 348-3153.
* Bear Creek Valley: Opened in 2001, Bear Creek is a good test of golf at a reasonable price. The par-72, 6,764-yard course has rolling zoysia fairways line with mature oak trees, that lead to fast, smooth greens. Phone: (573) 302-1000.
* Lake Valley: Located near Camdenton, Lake Valley is unique with six par-3s, six par-4s, and six par-5s. Two creeks and two small lakes come into play on 11 holes of the par-71, 6,453-yard layout. Phone: (573) 346-7218.
* Eldon Country Club: This course expanded to 18 holes in 1994 and features a par-71, 6,392-yard layout. The course offers four tee locations to challenge golfers of all skill levels. Phone: (573) 392-4172.
* Rolling Hills: Located in Versailles, the par-71, 6,392-yard course winds through Ozark woodlands and rolling hills, and features some of the Lake's best bentgrass greens. Phone: (573) 378-5109.
* The Golf Club at Deer Chase: The Lake's newest public course, which opened in 2004, is located off Hwy. 54 between Osage Beach and Camdenton. Natural beauty, including 20 acres of lakes, and low prices are the main selling points for this par-71, 6,400-yard course. Phone: (573) 346-6117.
* Sycamore Creek: Built around a series of fish farms, the course expanded to 18 holes in 1999. Boasting quality golf at reasonable prices, the par-72 course has zoysia tees, bermuda fairways and Crenshaw bentgrass greens. Phone: 348-9593.
* Indian Rock: Located near Laurie, this par-72 public course boasts some of the most scenic holes at the Lake, including the par-3 17th, which is the course's signature hole and namesake. Phone: (573) 372-3023.
* Bayview: This nine-hole course is a par-35, 2,747-yard layout that has tight fairways and small greens amid a hilly terrain that offers some good views of the Lake. Phone: (573) 346-6617.
* The Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge opened in 1998, creating a connection between the east and west sides of the Lake. By replacing the previous 30-50 mile route around the Lake with a 10-mile drive, the bridge has spurred tourism and economic development.
* The area features 16 courses and 279 holes of golf.
“The golf is so good, but the Lake offers so much more than that. There's just all kind of things to do and see,” said Steve Walker, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council.
“You might think, ‘What is the family going to do while I pay golf?' Well, there are all kinds of things to do.”
* The Lake is recognized as one of the best year-round fishing spots in the country by many tournament pros. Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, stripers, catfish and other fish are abundant.
* Wild game abounds in the area, as hunters can hunt deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, dove, duck, geese and quail. Most of the hunting is done on private land with permission of the landowner, or on special hunting preserves.
* More than 60 tennis courts are located throughout the area.
* Main Street Music Hall features new and traditional Ozark family entertainment.
* There are more than 100 restaurants at the Lake, from fast food to gourmet cuisine. At least 35 are waterfront restaurants.
* Osage Beach Premium Outlets is one of the largest outlet shopping centers in the country. The 61-acre, 13-building center features more than 110 top-name manufacturer outlets. The Lake also offers shopping malls, craft shops, antique stores and boutiques.
* More than 250 resorts, hotels and condos offer more than 7,000 lodging units, ranging from plush resorts to economical family resorts, motels, bed and breakfasts and houseboats. Campgrounds provide another 1,500 lodging options.
* The 27-acre Big Surf Water Park includes a wave pool, whirlpool spa, body flumes and other water-related fun.
* The Lake is one of the few areas in the country where three show caves (Bridal Cave, Jacob's Cave and Ozark Caverns) cluster within 30 miles of each other.
* Missouri's largest state park is the 17,626-acre Lake of the Ozarks State Park. It includes two free sand beaches for swimming, picnic sites and shelters, boat launching facilities, campgrounds, horseback riding, hiking and bike trails, boat rentals and an airport.
* One of the state's most unusual parks is Ha Ha Tonka in Camdenton, centering on the ruins of a European-style castle built in the early 1900s by Kansas City businessman Robert McClure Snyder.
* More information about the area is available at www.funlake.com.
Your vacation destination could be less than an hour away.
From golf to fishing to shopping to caves to skee ball, along with many other attractions, the Lake of the Ozarks offers all you could possibly want, said Steve Walker, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council.
“It's just a great place to take a family vacation,” Walker said. “Given the gas prices, that's what we're seeing more and more of. We're calling it a one-tank-of-gas vacation. And for people around here, it's even less than that.
“People are having to start thinking that way.”
And while there's plenty to keep you busy for a week or more, getting away for even a few days certainly has its appeal.
“People should maybe think about two or three days at the Lake for the water park, shopping, golf or many of the other things the area has to offer,” Walker said. “If people can't afford the full-week vacation, where else can you go that's close by for two or three days and have all the things the Lake has to offer?”
Golf is perhaps the biggest draw, as the Lake area boasts 16 courses and 279 holes.
“Golf is down three to five percent nationally, but it's been up at the Lake for the last three years,” Walker said. “Three years ago, our play was up three percent, and the last two years it's been up two percent.”
Some of the courses have been designed by some of the best-known names in the game - Arnold Palmer (Osage National), Jack Nicklaus (Porto Cima, the only private course at the Lake), Robert Trent Jones (Witch's Cove), Tom Weiskopf (Old Kinderhook) and Bruce Devlin (The Oaks).
“We've got golf courses for every level of golfer and for every size pocketbook,” Walker said. “We've got everything for everybody.”
A big favorite, Walker said, is the Golf-A-Round package that gives golfers lodging and golf at a reduced rate.
“You pick one of the 40 properties at the Lake that offers golf packages,” he said. “You call the resort, you tell them when you want to play and which golf courses you want to play, and then they'll build your golf package and give you a total rate.
“It's kind of like one-stop shopping. It's just easier, because the resort makes all the calls and sets up your golf for you.”
You can play at any of the participating 15 courses, regardless of where you stay.
“That's the enjoyable part of the golf packages,” Walker said. “You can play a higher-end golf course one day and then mix in some of the other courses. You get to pick where you want to play.
“If you can play during the week, you save money, and if you can play during the afternoon during the week, you can save even more money. There are all kind of ways you can save money and make it even more affordable.”
More information about the Lake courses and golf packages is available at www.golfingmissouri.com.
What follows below is a brief look at the courses, followed by a summary of other Lake facts and attractions.
Golf courses at the Lake of the Ozarks
Tan-Tar-A
* The Oaks: Designed by Devlin and Robert Von Hogge, the course is a challenging 6,432-yard, par-71 layout. It features demanding approach shots, strategically-placed water hazards and numerous sand traps along a tight terrain that leads to engaging greens. In 1994, The Oaks hosted the PGA Club Pro Championship.* Hidden Lakes: Rated one of the best nine-hole courses in the country, the par-35, 3,015-yard layout has meandering fairways set amidst lake views, lily ponds and lush, tree-lined fairways. The phone number for both courses is (573) 348-3131.
Lodge of the Four Seasons
* Witch's Cove: This championship design features rolling fairways, large greens, well-placed bunkers and eye-catching par-3s. In the design of this 6,567-yard, par-71 course, Jones utilized several fingers of land that jut out into the Lake, creating challenging golf and some of the most picturesque golf-course scenery in the Midwest.* Season's Ridge: Opened in 1991, this 6,416-yard, par-72 layout was designed to accommodate all skill levels of golfers by carefully incorporating multiple tee boxes. The phone number for both courses is (573) 365-3000.
* Porto Cima: Opened in 2000, this private, 18-hole course is the only Nicklaus signature course in Missouri.
Others
* The Club at Old Kinderhook: This par-71 course designed by Weiskopf opened near Camdenton in 1999. With perhaps the best greens in the area, Kinderhook showcases rolling topography, rock waterfalls and flowering trees, making each hole an experience to enjoy for golfers of all skill levels. Phone: (573) 346-4444.* Osage National: Featuring three 18-hole combinations (Mountain, River, Links), each a par-72, Osage National is nestled in the Ozark hills and along the Osage River Valley. The first 18 holes were designed in 1992 by Palmer, with nine additional holes added in 1998. Wandering creeks, lakes and water features lead to greens that range from 29-47 yards in depth. Phone: (573) 365-1950.
* Dogwood Hills: The 6,157-yard, par-70 course features generous fairways and a rolling terrain to provide a variety of shots for golfers of all skill levels. Phone: 348-3153.
* Bear Creek Valley: Opened in 2001, Bear Creek is a good test of golf at a reasonable price. The par-72, 6,764-yard course has rolling zoysia fairways line with mature oak trees, that lead to fast, smooth greens. Phone: (573) 302-1000.
* Lake Valley: Located near Camdenton, Lake Valley is unique with six par-3s, six par-4s, and six par-5s. Two creeks and two small lakes come into play on 11 holes of the par-71, 6,453-yard layout. Phone: (573) 346-7218.
* Eldon Country Club: This course expanded to 18 holes in 1994 and features a par-71, 6,392-yard layout. The course offers four tee locations to challenge golfers of all skill levels. Phone: (573) 392-4172.
* Rolling Hills: Located in Versailles, the par-71, 6,392-yard course winds through Ozark woodlands and rolling hills, and features some of the Lake's best bentgrass greens. Phone: (573) 378-5109.
* The Golf Club at Deer Chase: The Lake's newest public course, which opened in 2004, is located off Hwy. 54 between Osage Beach and Camdenton. Natural beauty, including 20 acres of lakes, and low prices are the main selling points for this par-71, 6,400-yard course. Phone: (573) 346-6117.
* Sycamore Creek: Built around a series of fish farms, the course expanded to 18 holes in 1999. Boasting quality golf at reasonable prices, the par-72 course has zoysia tees, bermuda fairways and Crenshaw bentgrass greens. Phone: 348-9593.
* Indian Rock: Located near Laurie, this par-72 public course boasts some of the most scenic holes at the Lake, including the par-3 17th, which is the course's signature hole and namesake. Phone: (573) 372-3023.
* Bayview: This nine-hole course is a par-35, 2,747-yard layout that has tight fairways and small greens amid a hilly terrain that offers some good views of the Lake. Phone: (573) 346-6617.
Lake facts, attractions
* The 54,000-acre Lake of the Ozarks was created in 1931 with the completion of Bagnell Dam and the Great Osage River Project. The Lake has more than 1,150 miles of shoreline, more than the entire Pacific coast of California, and holds about 617 billion gallons of water.* The Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge opened in 1998, creating a connection between the east and west sides of the Lake. By replacing the previous 30-50 mile route around the Lake with a 10-mile drive, the bridge has spurred tourism and economic development.
* The area features 16 courses and 279 holes of golf.
“The golf is so good, but the Lake offers so much more than that. There's just all kind of things to do and see,” said Steve Walker, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council.
“You might think, ‘What is the family going to do while I pay golf?' Well, there are all kinds of things to do.”
* The Lake is recognized as one of the best year-round fishing spots in the country by many tournament pros. Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, stripers, catfish and other fish are abundant.
* Wild game abounds in the area, as hunters can hunt deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, dove, duck, geese and quail. Most of the hunting is done on private land with permission of the landowner, or on special hunting preserves.
* More than 60 tennis courts are located throughout the area.
* Main Street Music Hall features new and traditional Ozark family entertainment.
* There are more than 100 restaurants at the Lake, from fast food to gourmet cuisine. At least 35 are waterfront restaurants.
* Osage Beach Premium Outlets is one of the largest outlet shopping centers in the country. The 61-acre, 13-building center features more than 110 top-name manufacturer outlets. The Lake also offers shopping malls, craft shops, antique stores and boutiques.
* More than 250 resorts, hotels and condos offer more than 7,000 lodging units, ranging from plush resorts to economical family resorts, motels, bed and breakfasts and houseboats. Campgrounds provide another 1,500 lodging options.
* The 27-acre Big Surf Water Park includes a wave pool, whirlpool spa, body flumes and other water-related fun.
* The Lake is one of the few areas in the country where three show caves (Bridal Cave, Jacob's Cave and Ozark Caverns) cluster within 30 miles of each other.
* Missouri's largest state park is the 17,626-acre Lake of the Ozarks State Park. It includes two free sand beaches for swimming, picnic sites and shelters, boat launching facilities, campgrounds, horseback riding, hiking and bike trails, boat rentals and an airport.
* One of the state's most unusual parks is Ha Ha Tonka in Camdenton, centering on the ruins of a European-style castle built in the early 1900s by Kansas City businessman Robert McClure Snyder.
* More information about the area is available at www.funlake.com.
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