Get Away to Great Golf and Real Value at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks

First posted on 02-02-2007

In the middle of Missouri and the USA, there’s a place where visitors can play golf on world-class courses with panoramic lake views, dine in top-rated restaurants, enjoy great entertainment and relax in comfortable lodging – all conveniently located and value priced. Where? At Central Missouri’s magnificent Lake of the Ozarks.

An easy drive from anywhere in the Midwest, the Lake of the Ozarks is the region’s prime golf destination for golfers of all skill levels. With a total of 261 holes on 15 courses, golfers can play on an enjoyable public course or a scenic and challenging course, both on the same day. Several Lake-area golf courses have been designed by the best known names in golf – Tom Weiskopf, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Roger Null, Jim Lewis, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Bruce Devlin, Robert Von Hagge. Best of all, the Lake’s courses are conveniently located within 30 minutes of each other.

“When a friend and I headed to the Lake of the Ozarks for the first time, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect,” says Kent Kasey of Birmingham, Ala., a sports page designer for the Birmingham News. They were pleasantly surprised to discover “everything you could ask for in a golf destination – top-notch courses, great food, accommodations above reproach and a nightlife to keep us busy when we weren’t chasing that little white ball,” Kasey says. He enjoyed it so much, he has brought his father, Larry Kasey, of Indianapolis, Ind., to the Lake for several years for their annual father-son golf trip. “After our first trip, my dad was as smitten with the area as I was,” Kasey says.

A group from Iowa, organized in 1997 by the late Bernard Sinclair of Des Moines and consisting of sons, brothers, nephews, cousins, sons-in-law, fathers and uncles, recently wrapped up its 10th annual springtime outing to the Lake, with 13 golfers in attendance. “It’s an easy seven-hour drive from home to the Lake,” says Bernard’s nephew, John Sinclair. “We enjoy golfing there because of the quality and challenge of the courses. A golfer likes to play any course, but the ones at the Lake of the Ozarks are especially nice. Some are new, some are older, but they’re all fun to play.”

The Lake of the Ozarks attracts a lot of golfers from Iowa and Indiana, as well as Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kansas and Minnesota, says Bob Renken, director of operations at The Club at Old Kinderhook. “And about half of our customers come from St. Louis and Kansas City,” he says. The golf course starts getting busy in mid-March. “That’s when a lot of the snowbirds come down and enjoy our balmy 45 degree days,” Renken notes. “At first we see big groups of men and women too. In the summer we get more families and couples. Then after Labor Day, we see groups again and corporate groups.”

Favorite Courses

Renken’s golf course is one of Kasey’s favorites. Designed by Tom Weiskopf and opened in 1999, “Old Kinderhook is a great combination of beauty and great golf,” Kasey says. “It has immaculate tees and fairways and some of the fastest bentgrass greens you’ll ever putt on. The topography, elevation changes and waterfalls – not to mention the wildflowers found all around the course – simply add to the experience.”

Greg Jourdan, editor of Golf Chicago! magazine, agrees. He calls Old Kinderhook “the masterful Tom Weiskopf signature course in Camdenton,” adding, “While the area’s caves provide a sample of the underworld at the Lake, Old Kinderhook provides a sample of all that is good above the surface: wildflowers, majestic vistas and a world-class golf course.”

Renken believes Old Kinderhook rates among visitors’ favorites because of its national rankings. “It’s Golf Digest’s only 4½ star golf course in the area, and ranked the third best course in Central Missouri by Golf Week magazine,” he says. “We have five separate sets of tees so the course is suitable for a variety of skill levels. And one thing that’s synonymous with a Weiskopf design is the contours and elevation changes are subtle, and there are a lot of level landing areas which are hard to find in this area.”

Another favorite of the Kaseys is Osage National Golf Resort, designed by Arnold Palmer and offering three 18-hole combinations. “It’s a fair course but can be quite challenging,” Kasey says. “It’s surrounded by impressive bluffs along the Osage River and it offers some absolutely incredible views.”

The Kaseys also like to play at Indian Rock Golf Club, where “there are a number of signs the land was once used by Native Americans,” he says. “The course is a lot of fun. Sycamore Creek is another course where you’ll find nothing but friendly people and first-class customer service. It’s my dad’s favorite.”

Jourdan also heads for Indian Rock and Sycamore Creek when he’s at the Lake. “At Indian Rock, owner Gary Irwin has created a player’s course with slick, tour-like greens and one of the best collections of par-threes at the Lake,” he says. “And Sycamore Creek meanders around fish hatchery ponds. The layout utilizes every inch of natural elevation to tempt big hitters from the tee.”

Each year, the Iowa guys play one or two courses they’ve played before, and add a new one too. One course they’ve added in recent years is The Golf Club at Deer Chase, designed by Roger Null. “We played there the first year it opened, in 2004,” Sinclair says. “It’s a newer course and very scenic.” Another favorite is the course at Eldon Country Club. “It’s just wide open,” Sinclair notes. He adds, the group played Dogwood Hills Golf Club for the first time and the verdict was positive. “It’s a mature course with good greens. It plays fast. We’ll certainly play it again in the future.”

Sinclair notes, “Everyone has his own favorites.” But there’s one thing they agree on: “Everyone at all the Lake of the Ozarks golf courses is very friendly and helpful.” Adds Kasey, “All of the courses we’ve played at the Lake have a couple things in common – great golf and even better service.”

Super Service and Savings
Lake of the Ozarks golf courses offer all the amenities and services expected of first-class facilities: Clubhouses, snack bars, practice putting and chipping greens, driving ranges, pro shops, restaurants and lounges, banquet and meeting space, lessons and more.

Of course, with more than 1,150 miles of shoreline, the main attraction – the Lake itself – offers unlimited opportunities for boating, skiing, swimming and fishing. And dining runs the gamut from Ozark barbecue to haute cuisine. More than 40 of the area’s 110-plus restaurants are located on the Lake.

What’s more, when the family comes along, there’s plenty for them to do away from the golf course. Kids will enjoy indoor and outdoor water parks, miniature golf, go-carts, show caves and arcades. Shopping includes the 110-store Osage Beach Premium Outlets and numerous antique, specialty and souvenir shops. Luxurious day spas serve women as well as men (some feature soothing after-golf treatments). Plus there’s live music playing somewhere at the Lake practically every night of the year, including family music shows.

It’s easy to arrange a golf getaway at the Lake thanks to the Golf-A-Round Package program from the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council. With just one call to a participating lodging facility, golfers can reserve the accommodations they want plus guaranteed tee times on Lake of the Ozarks golf courses – all for one special price that’s less than the cost of booking a room and golf separately. The discounted price will include a double occupancy room, green fee and shared cart rental for 18 holes a day. Golfers can play at any of the participating golf courses regardless of where they stay. Lodging options range from resorts and hotels to condos and houses, from economical to luxurious.

“Golfers like the convenience of one-stop shopping for their lodging and golf,” says James Leveridge of Lake Ozark Vacations/A PMG Company, one of many lodging participants in the Golf-A-Round program. Lake Ozark Vacations arranges condo and home rentals throughout the Lake of the Ozarks area. “We will walk you through the variety of golf courses, from basic to resort, and put together customized options you can choose from,” Leveridge says. “It’s easy and a great value.”

Golfing at the Lake of the Ozarks is available practically year-round, weather permitting. “The last few winters we’ve had no substantial down time,” Renken says. “When the extended weather forecast is good, the phones start ringing, even in January.” Some years, spring golf starts as early as February and fall golf often lasts through Thanksgiving or later. Off-season golf also means lower rates and fewer golfers competing for prime tee times.

“Deer hunting in the fall and the golf outing to the Lake of the Ozarks in the spring – those are two
things I definitely look forward to,” says Sinclair. Kasey and his dad also look forward to their annual getaway. “We found a golf Mecca at the Lake of the Ozarks,” Kasey says. “Whether it’s for the golf, the food or just to get away for a few days, I know my dad looks forward to the trip to the Lake. In fact, he’s been known to start asking me about it a few months in advance.” Jourdan sums it all up: “The Lake of the Ozarks is a first-class golf getaway at a wallet-friendly price.”

A free Lake of the Ozarks Golf Guide, with information on courses, lodging and packages, is available from the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council by calling 800-490-8474 or online at http://www.golfingmissouri.com.

For complete information about attractions, events, accommodations and lodging at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE or visit http://www.funlake.com.

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Here’s a brief look at the golf courses located at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks

Bay View Golf Course, Linn Creek (public). This unique, fun and challenging 9-hole layout offers an incredible Lake view with three water holes, scenic, hilly terrain and narrow tree-lined fairways. (573)346-6617.
Bear Creek Valley Golf Club, Lake Ozark (public). This 18-hole championship course has rolling, tree-lined fairways leading to large greens, amid Ozark forests and hills. (573) 302-1000.
Golf Club at Deer Chase, Linn Creek (public). Designed by Roger Null, this 18-hole course offers a challenging track through the beautiful Auglaize River valley and surrounding hills. (573)346-6117.
Dogwood Hills Resort & Golf Club, Osage Beach (public). Nestled in wooded hills adjacent to the Lake, this 18-hole course features generous Bermuda grass fairways and gently rolling terrain. Carts are allowed on fairways. (573) 348-3153.
Eldon Country Club, Eldon (semi-private). This 18-hole course is set amid a backdrop of woods, rolling hills and creeks, offering zoysia fairways and an upgraded bunker system. (573) 392-4172.
Hidden Lakes (Tan-Tar-A), Osage Beach (public). This Jim Lewis-designed, par-35 course features lush zoysia fairways and bentgrass greens. USA Today ranks it as one of the nation’s best 9-hole courses. (573) 348-8527.
Indian Rock Golf Club, Laurie (semi-private). This 18-hole course on 300-plus acres has concrete golf cart paths and the signature #17 hole featuring a majestic rock outcrop in the back and a deep clearwater lake in front. (573) 372-3023.
Lake Valley Country Club, Camdenton (semi-private). This uniquely challenging 18-hole course features an unusual balance of six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s with generous fairways and slick, demanding greens. (573) 346-7218.
The Club at Old Kinderhook, Camdenton (semi-private). Tom Weiskopf designed this 18-hole course, turning rolling topography, rock waterfalls and flowering trees into one of the Midwest’s finest courses. Each hole captures a special aspect of the terrain. (573) 346-4444.
Osage National Golf Resort, Lake Ozark (public). Designed by Arnold Palmer, the course offers three 18-hole combinations in a tranquil setting, laid out on beautifully forested, rolling terrain surrounded by lakes, creeks and imposing bluffs. (573) 365-1950.
Porto Cima Golf Club, Lake Ozark (private). Named one of the best private courses in the U.S. by Golf Digest, this 18-hole course is the only waterfront Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in Missouri. Overnight stay at The Lodge of Four Seasons required. (573) 365-3000.
Rolling Hills Country Club, Versailles (semi-private). This 18-hole course offers a park-like setting with mature Ozarks woodlands lining Bermuda fairways, plus hills and strategically placed bunkers, and some of the Lake area’s best bentgrass greens. (573) 378-5109.
Seasons Ridge Golf Club (Lodge of Four Seasons), Lake Ozark (semi-private). With its panoramic Lake views, 180-foot elevation changes, natural rock walls and spring-fed lake, this 18-hole course offers an enjoyable game for all skill levels. (573) 365-8544.
Sycamore Creek Golf Club, Osage Beach, (public). Built around a working aquaculture habitat, this 18-hole course offers a beautifully manicured layout wandering through rolling Ozark hills. (573) 348-9593.
The Oaks (Tan-Tar-A), Osage Beach (public). Carved out of the Ozark hills by Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge, this 18-hole course features zoysia and Bermuda fairways, bentgrass greens, breathtaking elevation changes and Lake views. (573) 348-8522.
Witch’s Cove (Lodge of Four Seasons), Lake Ozark (semi-private). This 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Sr. course features rolling fairways, large greens and beautiful lake views. (573) 365-8532.