First came Sand Hills, Ben Crenshaw's masterpiece of a links-style layout on the plains of western Nebraska; Sand Hills was followed by Wild Horse in Gothenburg, Neb., another link-style course -- designed by Dan Proctor and Dave Axland -- that is among the better public facilities in the country.
Next year Jack Nicklaus will add his name to the mix with the opening of Dismal Creek Golf Club, only about 18 miles from Sand Hills and 24 miles away from the nearest town of Mullen.
The Dismal River project is owned by the Dismal River Golf Club LLC, a group that includes Denver residents Bill Martin, Tim Kratz, Tony Pasquini, and Timber Notestine. PGA Professional Mike McGetrick, who owns the McGetrick Learning Center in Denver, is serving as a consultant.
The Nebraska sand hills, called "God's cattle country," by the ranchers who live there, offer some of the better soil and terrain for golf course construction in the U.S. The endless rolling grassland, grass covered dunes and sand base are similar to the once-secluded regions of Scotland and Ireland where the game's great courses, such as the Old Course at St. Andrews and Royal Troon, now draw golfers from around the world.
Dismal River Golf Club, a four and one-half hour drive from Omaha and Denver, will be a private member facility that also will feature fly fishing and Sporting Clays, and upland hunting.
To provide a pure golf environment, Dismal River's members and guests will be secluded from all vertical structures including the club house, pro shop, and cabins. The course, set on 2,900 acres, will be readily accessible to walkers, and caddies will be available.
Plans call to open Dismal River for limited play in the fall of 2005 with the first full season being in the spring of '06. Before opening of the Nicklaus course, the club plans to complete lodging for at least 40 members, in cabins and in a wing of the clubhouse.
Dismal River's developers also have tentative plans to begin construction of a second course, designed by a yet unnamed architect, when it sells out membership of the Nicklaus course.
