French Lick Resort - America’s Newest Golf Destination is Actually Quite Historic

If you’re looking for your next great golf getaway then look no further than the Midwestern state of Indiana.

Situated in the rolling hills of the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana is French Lick Resort, one of Americas premier golf destinations. This historic resort is located in the small town of French Lick, where for more than two centuries the Pluto Mineral Springs has attracted visitors. French Lick is also known as the hometown of basketball legend Larry Bird.

Soon the town will be recognized as one of the great golf destinations in the country. Since the early 1900’s, golf has been an integral part of this resort area. Tom Bendelow designed the first course here in 1907 and was followed by the great Donald Ross ten years later.

In 2009, French Lick moves to an entirely different level with the opening of the spectacular new Pete Dye course.

Dye, a longtime Indiana resident who was recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, is famous for his innovative and diabolical course designs. In 1982, Dye introduced the concept of stadium golf at TPC Sawgrass in St. Augustine, Fla. He followed that effort with a series of Dye signature designs that included the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, PGA West Stadium Course in California, Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, and now the highly-anticipated design at French Lick Resort.

Opening this spring, the new Pete Dye course is located on a dramatic site that looks more like the rolling mountains of North Carolina than the flatlands of Indiana. The course is situated upon a hilltop, one of the highest points in the state, offering panoramic views in all directions. Dye himself is excited about the location.

“I have spent the past five decades designing golf courses all over the world, including courses on great coastal sites,” Dye explains. “This new project at French Lick Resort brings great excitement to Alice and me because the course is on arguably the best inland site I have ever worked on.”

French Lick is the Legacy of Tom Taggart

As you drive up the hill to the former Taggart Mansion, which now serves as the Pete Dye clubhouse, you’ll be amazed that this beautiful land is in the Midwest. The historic clubhouse is the converted home of resort owner Tom Taggart and was built in the early part of the 20th century.

Taggart is credited with bringing golf to the French Lick Resort, as he was responsible for bringing Bendelow and Ross to the area to build the resorts first two courses. Now, nearly 100 years later, the current owners have retained arguably the most decorated modern day golf architect to design a new championship course to complement the existing layouts.

Many already believe that the new course Dye has created is destined to be one of the most breathtaking and exciting 18-hole adventures in the country. The course was carefully carved into the dramatic hillside offering a variety of elevation changes, rugged and dramatic terrain, narrow fairways and ever-changing bunkers, along with spectacular views from every hole that stretch for more than 40 miles.

Acknowledging the advances in modern equipment, golf balls and player fitness, Dye has constructed a course that measures more than 8,100 yards from the professional tees. However, this new creation welcomes all levels of players. With five sets of tees, yardages begin at 5,100 yards from the forward tes. Most players will probably play from either 6,100 or 6,700 yards.

Already, the new course is gaining recognition. In 2010, the PGA of America will play its PGA Professional National Championship on the Pete Dye course. This is expected to be the first of several high profile professional events to be hosted by the facility.

The Pete Dye course has many Distinctive Features

The new Dye course features many distinct design features, including stretches of holes on each nine that are vintage Dye. The front nine builds excitement with each passing hole and peaks at No. 6. Visually, it becomes increasingly dramatic as the outward nine finishes toward the clubhouse with one of the best views on the course.

The back nine offers the most dramatic stretch on the golf course, holes 11-14. This sequence culminates with one of the courses signature holes, No. 14. Stretching nearly 600 yards from the back tees, this par 5, with a split fairway, escalates from tee to green over a massive grass hollow that will intimidate even the elite players.

Complementing the new Pete Dye layout at French Lick Resort is the historic Donald Ross design fresh off a $4.6 million project that restored the course back to Ross’ original plans. Golfers will be challenged by the return of 35 original bunkers, expanded green complexes, native fescue areas and new teeing areas that stretch the course to more than 7,000 yards from the tips.

The Ross course (originally named the Hill course) brings a rich history to the French Lick Resort. The course was site of the 1924 PGA Championship won by the legendary Walter Hagen and has hosted other golf greats and celebrities such as Gene Sarazen, Chick Evans and Bing Crosby.

The Ross course is a parkland gem that meanders up and down the rolling hills a few miles from the main resort. The wonderful routing of the holes takes full advantage of the many elevation points for classic Ross green sites, which are sloped heavily from back to front. It is one of only two public Ross courses in Indiana and is considered one of his more challenging designs.

French Lick Offers a Complete Golf Experience

French Lick now holds the distinction of being the only resort in the world that combines the classic history of Donald Ross and the modern day design of Pete Dye. This combination is a spectacular opportunity for golfers to experience two of the best architects who have ever shaped beautiful landscapes into golf courses.

In addition to the world-class championship golf courses, French Lick Resort features a top learning and instructional facility to complete the golf experience. The Valley Links Learning Center utilizes nine holes of the original Tom Bendelow course. The reconfigured short course features his parkland design with rolling fairways, strategic bunkers, small greens and Scottish-style fescue grasses. The French Lick Golf Academy provides a wide variety of instruction including full swing, short game, video analysis and custom club fitting.

French Lick Resort is a $500 million historic restoration and casino development project set upon 3,000 acres of scenic grounds. It encompasses both the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel, located about a mile apart, which have both been fully restored to their original sophistication and luxury. The casino was built adjacent to the French Lick hotel and opened last year. The West Baden Springs property, with its massive dome, re-opened as a hotel for the first time since 1932. Combined the hotels feature 689 rooms and free shuttle buses which connect all amenities.

There are two destination spas with 36 treatment rooms (they continue to offer the Pluto Mineral Springs bath), over 42,000 square feet of gaming space, 115,000 square feet of meeting space and a variety of dining and entertainment options. French Lick Resort is truly a world-class golf resort destination and is expected to attract golfers from all over the country. Visit www.frenchlick.com.