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A Scottish Gem
Dalhousie Golf Club brings a bit of Scotland to Southeast Missouri.
Sitting in Dalhousie Manor, the 15,000-square-foot clubhouse near Cape Girardeau, managing member Cord Dombrowski talks about Dalhousie Golf Club’s relationship to its Scottish counterparts. Named for the Scottish Earl of Dalhousie, whose family settled near Cape Girardeau, it has rapidly become one of the state’s top courses. (It reportedly counts Albert Pujols among its members.) Golf Digest has rated it No. 1 in Missouri for the past four years, from 2007 to 2010. At 7,389 yards from the tips, only the strong of heart are able to conquer par.
What tests golfers here is the low margin for error. Innovative greens, challenging water hazards, and rough-edged bunkers reminiscent of those in Scotland leave little room for an errant shot on the links-style course. Designed by Gary Nicklaus of Nicklaus Design, Dalhousie opened in 2002 to outstanding reviews and continues to earn top marks from golfers.
Though it’s a private facility, Dalhousie offers a national membership program ($3,000 per year) for those beyond southeast Missouri. For St. Louisans looking to experience Dalhousie for a bit less, the club offers a “Stay and Play” package: Players can spend two days with unlimited golfing and overnight accommodations for less than $400 per person. (Space is limited, so call for details.)
Dalhousie Golf Club
4700 Cord's Way
Cape Girardeau
573-332-0818
Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead!
Witch's Cove gets a new look—and a new name.
After a yearlong renovation, The Cove (formerly Witch’s Cove) reopened last year to strong reviews—and to a whole new audience. In the past, players had to stay at The Lodge of Four Seasons to access the course, but this rule changed in 2010. Today, The Cove is open to the public, giving many players their first opportunity to challenge the 6,557-yard, par-71 course.
The character of the original 1973 Robert Trent Jones course remains: undulating greens, rolling fairways, long par-3s, and strong par-5s. Long considered a shot-maker’s layout, it rewards players focused on a “fairways and greens” approach, rather than a “grip it and rip it” technique. The recent upgrade includes improved bunkers, a new irrigation system, and A1/A4 bentgrass greens, providing a smoother putting surface and keeping down unwanted grasses.
The most noticeable change is the reversal of the nines, with the former eleventh hole—now the second hole—completely redone as a par-3. The course’s signature hole, the thirteenth, is now the fourth; it demands a tee shot over water and six bunkers, making it as beautiful as it is terrifying.
Located at the north end of the Lake of the Ozarks, The Lodge of Four Seasons offers a number of golf packages, some with a spa visit included for an after-round massage. While you’re there, be sure to visit the renovated clubhouse and the covered deck that now overlooks the 18th green.
The Lodge of Four Seasons
315 Lodge of Four Seasons
Village of Four Seasons
800-843-5253
Meet Me at the Muny
A private-turned-public course in southwest Missouri is a steal.
Springfield has a legacy of outstanding golf. A bronze statue of the town’s most famous golfer—the late Payne Stewart—stands beside the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame at the southeast edge of town. Just 15 minutes west, Rivercut Golf Course offers further proof of the region’s
commitment to top-notch golf.
Designed by Ken Dye Jr., the 7,000-yard layout, with zoysia fairways and bentgrass greens, gained a large following on opening in 1997. Developers initially hoped the par-72 course would take its place among Springfield’s best private facilities. When the economy went south and its owners put it on the market, however, Springfield acquired its newest—and best municipal facility. Overnight, Rivercut became a top public course. In 2010, Golf Digest ranked it the state’s No. 1 muny course.
The links-style course follows the James River, which flanks the left side of nearly half of the holes. The layout features two distinct nines: The front nine is more open, while the back nine hugs homes in the Rivercut community, with more trees surrounding the fairways. Golfers will find few level lies on the rolling zoysia fairways, which lead to demanding green complexes. Collection areas around the undulating greens challenge players to work that much harder on their short game. With water in play on almost half of the holes, players need a confident swing.
Rivercut also includes a practice range, two putting greens, a chipping course, a well-stocked shop, and a five-hole “kids’ course” for juniors. And for those desiring help with their game, PGA golf instructor Rick Grayson maintains an on-site facility.
It’s three hours down Interstate 44 to reach Rivercut, but what you’ll spend in gas, you’ll save in greens fees: The weekday rate for 18 holes is $39, weekends $48—including the cart fee.
Rivercut Golf Course
2350 W. Farm Road 190
Springfield
417-891-1645
