only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in Missouri and one of only make sure you’re hitting into correct portion of the green.”
fi ve in the state to have been recognized by Golf Digest as one of the Crane says, when Nicklaus was asked what he considers his
best new private courses in the United States. It features plentiful signature hole at Porto Cima, he replied, “They’re all signature
bunkering with holes routed through woods and four very scenic holes!” But Crane believes No. 15 would be the one. “It’s probably
and challenging closing holes. the most photographed hole,” he says. “It comes down into a
peninsula and it’s very visible when you’re coming down the main
channel of the Lake.”
other notable Lake of the ozarks
Golf Courses
In addition to “designer” golf courses, other popular courses
at the Lake of the Ozarks have distinctive features that add to the
golfi ng experience. The following courses also participate in the
convenient and money-saving Golf-A-Round program.
indian rock Golf Club, Laurie —
Porto Cima
rock outcrops and Thong Trees
The 18-hole, 6,355-yard, par-72 Indian Rock golf course features
Porto Cima is one of more than 260 designs or redesigns that Bermuda fairways with elevated bent grass greens, plus four
Nicklaus personally had a hand in. His company, Nicklaus Design tee boxes. The name comes from the stunning limestone rock
of North Palm Beach, Florida, (which includes Nicklaus’ four formations at the back of the course’s number 17 signature hole; in
sons and son-in-law) has designed more than 320 golf courses in front is a deep, clear-water lake.
38 states and 32 foreign countries; another 55 courses are under
construction. Nicklaus’ fi rst solo design was the Glen Abbey Golf
Course in Oakville, Canada, in 1976. At that time he still played
PGA golf and continued to play in the majors until 1986, earning a
record 18 PGA titles. He also played in the PGA senior Champions
Tour, winning a record eight majors from 1990 to 1996.
At Porto Cima, Nicklaus personally supervised design and
construction on all 18 holes of the par-72, 7,118-yard course. “He
really was given free rein of the property,” says Director of Golf Jon
Crane, PGA. “He used as much shorefront as he wanted, so we have
seven holes that play right along the Lake.”
Crane says other Nicklaus characteristics found at Porto Cima are Indian Rock Golf Club
fi ve sets of tees, from more than 7,000 yards to 5,800 yards. “That
gives a lot of variance, depending on the type of player you are and In addition, the Osage Indian tribes who lived in the area also
how much challenge you want,” Crane says. “Another Nicklaus trait have left their mark in the form of thong trees: saplings bent to
is that all of the landing areas from the tees are visible. There are no the ground and tied down, which can be seen throughout Indian
blind shots. We had to move some dirt and blast some rock to make Rock. These oddly shaped trees were used by the Osage as markers
this happen.” Crane adds, “As you progress from the back tees and to show the way to various destinations.
move forward, the holes start to straighten out. From a back tee a
hole might slightly dogleg from the left, but from the shortest tee
Sycamore Creek Golf Club, osage
it’s fairly straight.”
Beach — Working Aquaculture Habitat
Nicklaus also sets up challenges on the greens, Crane notes. “The Sycamore Creek is an 18-hole, 6,255-year, par 72 course with
greens run away from you at different angles. They all will work zoysia tee blocks, Bermuda fairways surrounded by native trees,
away from the golfers’ right or left, depending on the characteristics bent grass greens, and several water features — plus a working
of the hole. So club selection becomes extremely important, to aquaculture habitat.
SPRING 2008

Iowa Golf 61
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