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The Dakotas Tour was founded to provide quality golf events for Amateurs and Professionals in the Upper Midwest. While most events are operated at the local level, all events will strive to provide a unique golf experience for the amateur participants, along with a professional atmosphere, that allows players of all skill levels to compete. The Dakotas Tour’s pro-am structured events will provide competitive pro payouts that are at least equal to the professional entry fees, allow for professional and amateur friendly formats, and be conducted in a professional and exemplary matter.

The Dakotas Tour is an 18 event professional golf tour played in the Midwest states of Minnesota, Iowa, North and South Dakota.  Professional golfers play for at total of approximately $750,000 over the course of a quick 9 weeks, starting the week before the 4th of July and ending the week after Labor Day. Learn More >>

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The Best Midwest Golf Courses to Play This Season

Give it your best shot at these top courses, for beginners to scratch golfers — many with on-site lodging so you can play and stay.

Kelsey Ogletree is an independent journalist covering national stories on food, wellness and travel. Born and raised in Montana, she moved to Chicago to attend Northwestern University—and ended up staying a decade. While she recently moved to Alabama, she still has her ear to the ground on all things Midwest. In addition to Midwest Living, she's a regular contributor to AARP The Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, The Wall Street Journal, and more. When she's not writing or interviewing, she loves scouting out local bakeries and coffee shops, visiting small towns, taking long walks, and snuggling with her kitty and husband.

You might think that long winters in the Midwest would deprive the area of great golf, but it's quite the contrary. "The Great Lakes, milder temperatures that help with the cultivation of prime golf grasses, dense forests and sweeping prairie lands afford golf enthusiasts the opportunity to play many different styles of courses," says Michael O'Reilly, president of the Wisconsin PGA . In fact, about 30 percent of the top public golf courses in the U.S. are located within the region. Read on for our top picks of where to tee it up when the weather warms.

Erin Hills, Hartford, Wisconsin

You'll feel like you're setting foot on a European course as you head to the first tee at Erin Hills . True to its name, it's a hilly, challenging 18-hole course that was ranked in the top third of Golfweek's top 100 public golf courses in 2021. It's ideal for experienced golfers who like to walk (no carts allowed), and professional caddies on-site are highly recommended (and extremely helpful). Stay overnight in the on-site cozy lodge or book a four-bedroom cottage for your crew for a weekend, and don't miss the steakhouse, Irish pub and sunset-facing terrace post-round.

Brickyard Crossing, Indianapolis, Indiana

Opened nearly a century ago, in 1929, Brickyard Crossing has stood the test of time with its unique setup. This 18-hole, Pete Dye-designed golf course is located adjacent the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with holes 7-10 inside the track. It's one of few courses in the country to have hosted PGA, LPGA and Champions Tour tournaments and is a perfect course for groups with varying skill levels. The par-3 hole 7, playing to a raised green, can be a doozy — but at least you have a view of Gasoline Alley (the garages for Indy 500) from the tee box.

Top of the Rock, Branson, Missouri

The game of golf has been focused on improving accessibility over the last few years, and the 9-hole Top of the Rock is a perfect example. Not only is it the first-ever par-3 course to be included in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event, it's also open to the public and easy for even beginners to play in less than 2 hours. No worries if you don't play your best round — shorter holes and lush Ozarks scenery including shimmering Table Rock Lake will still make for a beautiful day. Find plenty of options for overnights at Big Cedar Lodge, which has a total of five courses.

The Prairie Club, Valentine, Nebraska

Three links-style courses in the Sandhills make up The Prairie Club , including the Dunes and Pines courses, both spanning 18 holes and highly ranked by Golf.com, and the innovative Horse Course. The third takes the game of H.O.R.S.E. from the basketball court to the tee box, encompassing 10 holes that help you prioritize fun with your group over low scores. Put the "game" back in golf working your way around undulating greens, no tee boxes and an average hole length of less than 100 yards. Several accommodations on-site include four-bedroom cabins on the Snake River, a lodge and a rustic bunkhouse.

Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio

Named for the tire company and originally commissioned in 1929 as a park for its employees, the Firestone Country Club has three 18-hole courses to suit a range of skill levels. Opened to the public for the first time last year (with a one-night stay required to play), The South Course has hosted multiple PGA Championships. Its par-5 16th hole, nicknamed "Monster" by Arnold Palmer, is where big hitters will want to give it their best swing: It spans a whopping 667 yards. Inside the clubhouse, dormitory-style guest rooms with large windows overlooking the fairways pay homage to the club's rich history, while premium club rooms offer a more upscale stay.

Firekeeper Golf Course, Mayetta, Kansas

An economic endeavor of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Firekeeper Golf Course was designed by Notah Begay III, the first full-blooded Native American player ever to play on the PGA Tour. The 18-hole course was ranked No. 15 on Golfweek's best casino golf courses for 2021 and is full of twists and turns to keep the game interesting. For instance, holes 1 and 6 share a large green, and hole 18 has double fairways so you can choose your own adventure. Prairie Band Casino & Resort nearby offers accommodations, dining, gaming and entertainment options.

Bully Pulpit Golf Course, Medora, North Dakota

Sculpted out of the rugged terrain of the Badlands, Bully Pulpit Golf Course winds through meadows, woodlands, buttes and bluffs, culminating in a hilly, challenging round that will have you feeling thankful you opted for a cart. Give it your best shot on holes 14-16, known as the "Badlands Holes," which go through a fairway gorge. Even if you lose a ball, you'll still enjoy the spectacular views. Before or after a round, practice putting on the new Little Bully Pulpit minigolf course.

Arcadia Bluffs, Arcadia, Michigan

Caddies aren't required, but they're available to all golfers at Arcadia Bluffs ' two 18-hole courses, the links-style Bluffs and treeless South Course — and they sure make navigating the tricky sod-walled bunkers and tall native grasses easier. You can still score relatively well low here, however, thanks to wide fairways and spacious greens. The incredible views of Lake Michigan help ease any pain from balls lost in the rough, too. Play one course then overnight at The Lodge, The Bluffs Lodge or The Cottages and hit the other the next day.

Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Palos Park, Illinois

Four separate courses make up the 72-hole, public Cog Hill Golf & Country Club that lies 25 miles southwest of Chicago. Its No. 4 course is the A-game-demanding Dubsdread, which has hosted several PGA events, is ranked No. 56 on Golf Digest's 2021 list of 100 greatest public courses . Dubsdread was built in 1964, and renovations over the last decade or so have upheld its original architect's commitment to abundant bunkers. Don't forget your sand wedge.

Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin

Ranked among the top public courses in the country by Golfweek, the Pete Dye-designed Whistling Straits shined on national TV in 2021 as host of the Ryder Cup. It's hard to discern whether you're in Ireland or the Badger State as you make your way through a round on either of its two 18-hole courses. The rugged Straits is carved into the Lake Michigan shoreline, while the inland Irish is more grueling than it even appears, with streams, dunes and grasslands threatening to come after your handicap. At least a post-round visit to Kohler Waters Spa at Destination Kohler will ease the pain of your inevitable

Giant's Ridge, Biwabik, Minnesota

Golfers at Giant's Ridge , a resort destination with a duo of consistently top-ranked 18-hole courses (The Legend and The Quarry) in northeastern Minnesota, don't take themselves too seriously with the option to trade a golf cart for a Finn Cycle. Simply strap your clubs to the back of these fat-tired bikes, and you'll turn your round into even more of a workout. Adding to the fun: The Legend course has fairway sand traps resembling footprints of a giant. Hang up your golf shoes and cap at several different overnight options here, with the most charming being The Barn House .

Grand View Lodge, Nisswa, Minnesota

Get away for a true golfers' weekend to Grand View Lodge , a lakeside retreat in the central part of the state with suites, cottages, townhomes and villas located directly on the resort's two golf courses. Newer players can get their swing down inside a golf simulator or on the extensive practice facility before heading outside to the 27-holes Pines course, which is filled with trees, water hazards and picturesque greens. More experienced golfers may enjoy The Preserve, built into the wetlands and famous for its elevated tees and super-fast greens.

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The 50 best golf courses in the Midwest: Ranking the Heartland’s best designs

Sand Hills is one of golf's most stunning and eminently playable tests.

Larry Lambrecht

GOLF Magazine recently unveiled its 2020/2021 Top 100 Courses in the United States , and to showcase the country’s geographic diversity, GOLF has, for the first time, broken the country into four regions and ranked the top 50 in each. Each region is shockingly diverse — and overflowing with exquisite golf. To introduce each region, we called upon a star architect to help.

The Appeal of Golf in the Heartland |  By Kye Goalby

The American Heartland inspires images of open spaces and farmland filled with hardworking, blue-collar folks — an abstract ideal of what America is, and can be. But when you get past the beer-commercial version of the Heartland, what you find is a place much more varied and diverse. 

The Heartland’s golf courses exemplify this. While there are many small-town courses laid out on flat, forgettable land, the best courses of this region defy stereotype. Take Sand Hills, in Nebraska. No great design is more rural or feels more American than Sand Hills, and it literally started a new era in golf design. 

There are also plenty of great Golden Age courses in the region that showcase the diversity of the land and styles of golf. Chicago Golf Club somehow imbues a flat piece of prairie land with an unforgettable golf experience, while Crystal Downs, in Michigan, provides an artistic, roller-coaster ride of MacKenzie and Maxwell’s genius. The public-access Lawsonia, in Wisconsin, with its bold design and ingenious greens, created by a long forgotten Midwesterner William Langford, may be the perfect example of Heartland golf. 

Boring? These courses, and all the others on the list below, illustrate that golf in the middle of the country is anything but.

  The 50 best golf courses in the Midwest

1. sand hills — mullen, neb. (bill coore/ben crenshaw, 1994).

2. Chicago — Wheaton, Ill. (C.B. Macdonald, 1895/Seth Raynor, 1923)

3. crystal downs — frankfort, mich (alister mackenzie/perry maxwell, 1932), 4. prairie dunes — hutchinson, kan. (perry maxwell, 1937/press maxwell, 1957).

5. Shoreacres — Lake Bluff, Ill. (Seth Raynor, 1921)

6. camargo — cincinnati, ohio (seth raynor, 1926), 7. southern hills — tulsa, okla. (perry maxwell, 1936), 8. inverness — toledo, ohio (donald ross, 1919/andrew green, 2017), 9. oakland hills (south) — bloomfield hills, mich. (donald ross, 1917/robert trent jones sr., 1950), 10. the golf club — new albany, ohio (pete dye, 1967), 11. whistling straits (straits) — haven, wis. (pete dye, 1998).

12. Muirfield Village — Dublin, Ohio (Jack Nicklaus/Desmond Muirhead, 1974)

13. Moraine — Kettering, Ohio (Alex Campbell, 1930)

14. milwaukee — river hills, wis. (h.s. colt/c.h. alison, 1929), 15. white bear yacht club — white bear lake, minn. (william watson, 1915).

16 St. Louis — St. Louis, Mo. (C.B. Macdonald, 1914)

17. kingsley — kingsley, mi. (mike devries, 2001), 18. prairie club (dunes) — valentine, neb. (tom lehman/chris brands, 2010), 19. lawsonia (links) — green lake, wis. (bill langford/ted moreau, 1930), 20. wolf point — la hood, texas (mike nuzzo, 2008), 21. sand valley (sand valley)  — nekoosa, wis. (bill coore/ben crenshaw, 2017).

22. Sand Valley (Mammoth Dunes)  — Nekoosa, WI (David McLay Kidd, 2018)

23. interlachen — minneapolis, minn., 24. scioto — columbus, ohio, 25. dismal river (red) — mullen, neb., 26. cedar rapids — cedar rapids, iowa, 27. davenport — pleasant valley, iowa, 28. erin hills — erin, wis..

29. Beverly — Chicago, Ill.

30. kirtland — willoughby, ohio, 31. olympia fields (north) — olympia fields, iil., 32. forest dunes (loop-red/black) — roscommon, mich., 33. whispering pines — trinity, texas, 34. omaha — omaha, neb., 35. crooked stick — carmel, ind., 36. medinah (no. 3) — medinah, ill., 37. blackwolf run (river) — kohler, wis., 38. old elm — highland park, ill., 39. colonial — ft. worth, texas.

40. Meadowbrook — Northville, Mich.

41. trinity forest — dallas, texas, 42. harvester — rhodes, iowa, 43. northland — duluth, minn., 44. canterbury — beachwood, ohio, 45. orchard lake — orchard lake, mich., 46. the country club — pepper pike, ohio.

47. Victoria National — Newburgh, Ind.

48. brookside — canton, ohio, 49. sutton bay — agar, s.d., 50.  hazeltine national — chaska, minn., explore the golf pro shop.

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Best Golf Resorts In The Midwest

THE AMERICAN CLUB Kohler, Wis.

The Kohler Company

This resort will be more popular than ever after the Ryder Cup was contested here in 2021. With four total Pete Dye designs (Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run), the American Club is one of the sought-after destinations in an ever-growing Wisconsin golf landscape. More Information

ARCADIA (MICH.) BLUFFS

Photographed by Dom Furore at Arcadia Bluffs in Michigan.

Incredible vistas of Lake Michigan give Arcadia Bluffs some of the most underrated, beautiful views in golf. The facility opened a second 18-hole course in 2018 . The existing course is ranked 68th on Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Courses . Lodging includes quaint two- to four-bedroom cottages that also overlook the lake—the rooms made Golf Digest's 18 Coolest Rooms in Golf ranking .

ERIN (WIS.) HILLS

Photo by Dom Furore

Cottages patterned after those at Augusta National and Pine Valley overlook the sprawling lay-of-the-land layout that hosted the 2017 U.S. Open. More Information

FOREST DUNES G.C. Roscommon, Mich.

2007 Golf Digest / Dom Furore

Tom Weiskopf's 18 features a front nine reminiscent of Augusta National and a closing stretch straight from the sand barrens of Pine Valley. Tom Doak's reversible 18, The Loop, opened in 2017. More Information

FRENCH LICK (IND.) RESORT

Courtesy of French Lick

Pete Dye chopped the top off a mountain in creating the course ranked 17th among America's 100 Greatest Public Courses . Lee Schmidt recently spent time restoring the Donald Ross 18 and converted the Tom Bendelow Course into a compelling nine. More Information

GIANTS RIDGE Biwabik, Minn.

Evan Schiller

When The Quarry at Giants Ridge opened in 2001, we hailed its Jeff Brauer layout as the first great design of the 21st century. Brauer's Legend course is also distinctive. More Information

THE INN AT BAY HARBOR Bay Harbor, Mich.

Brian Walters Photography

Built on the former home of a cement factory and quarry, Arthur Hills' 27 holes at this Northern Michigan resort include the Quarry, Links and Preserve. Dramatic views along the bluffs of Lake Michigan make for scenic holes that play tough when the wind is up. The views are just as good from the Inn at Bay Harbor, which offers shuttle service from the resort to this quaint harbor town.

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SAND VALLEY GOLF RESORT Nekoosa, Wis.

Sand Valley has so much going on ... where do we start? First, the golf: The Lido is a recreation of the famed C.B. Macdonald course on Long Island that existed from 1917 until World War II when the land was overtaken by the U.S. Navy, will open in 2023. Tom Doak's Renaissance Golf Design company is doing the work, with the help of  3-D computer modeling and robotic bulldozers . Doak has another layout coming, Sedge Valley, which will be a non-traditional entry, is expected to open in 2024. These highly anticipated newcomers join an already-impressive menu of courses: David McLay Kidd-designed Mammoth Dunes course opened in 2018, joining the Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw-designed Sand Valley, which debuted as Golf Digest's Best New course of 2017 . And this is not even to mention Sedge Village, an upscale collection of amenities to be built around Sedge Valley, which will include an outdoor patio with a year-round pool overlooking what the resort is calling "the world's largest putting course."  More Information

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3 Fantastic Midwest Golf Destinations

A guide to top courses in nebraska, wisconsin and missouri.

Tom Mackin and T.J. Olwig, 

It's tough to find hidden gems when it comes to golf destinations these days, but you can still find some shiny options somewhat off-the-beaten track, including these three winners in the Midwest.

The Prairie Club (Valentine, Nebraska)

Location:  277 miles southwest of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and 323 miles northwest of Omaha, Nebraska

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What it offers:  The rolling ranchland and rustic beauty of Nebraska's Sandhills Region can be mesmerizing. It's also ideal terrain for golf, which is why the Prairie Club was built 20 miles southwest of Valentine (population: 2,760) near the South Dakota border, with two distinct 18-hole courses (public play alternates daily between each) in secluded splendor.

The Dunes Course by Tom Lehman and Chris Brands is a treeless, links-style layout with forever views, large blowout bunkers and massive fairways with extremely generous landing areas. It plays differently every day depending upon wind direction, but shots can be run up and onto most greens.

The Pines Course, designed by Graham Marsh, serves up a completely opposite but equally memorable setting: 100-foot-tall ponderosa pines line most fairways, with some holes skirting the edge of Snake River Canyon. Equally fun is the Horse Course, a par-3 layout designed by Gil Hanse and Geoff Shackelford without formal tees; you call the spot from where you want to begin play on each of the 10 holes.

Insider tip:  The huge greens on the Dunes Course average 14,000 square feet in size, so spend some time before the round refining your lag putting skills.

What you'll pay:  Both 18-hole courses are the same price, starting at $89 from for on-site guests and nonguests. The Horse Course is complimentary.

Where to stay (splurge):  Comfortable accommodations on-site include the Lodge inside the clubhouse, or the Cabins and the Bunkhouse a short walk away. Stay-and-play packages starting at $499 per night ($879 per night for couples) include unlimited golf, cart and daily breakfast.

Where to stay (save):  Check into one of several no-frill hotels in Valentine. Choices include Comfort Inn, Harmony Inn & Suites, and Niobrara Lodge.

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Big Cedar Lodge (Hollister, Missouri)

Location:  10 miles south of Branson, Missouri, and 60 miles south of Springfield-Branson National Airport, just outside of Springfield, Missouri

What if offers:  Here in the Ozark Mountains, you'll find the country's hottest new golf destination: Big Cedar Lodge, the acclaimed wilderness resort built by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. Designed by a Mount Rushmore of golf legends and big-name architects, Big Cedar's five courses deliver a scenic medley of southwestern Missouri's stunning natural landscape — think dramatic limestone ridges, mesmeric green hills and sweeping views of Table Rock Lake, which the lodge borders.

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Tiger Woods designed Big Cedar's newest course — Payne's Valley (a tribute to the late Payne Stewart, an Ozarks native) — which he debuted last fall on national TV, flanked by Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Justin Thomas. Ever since then, golfers have been flocking to the Ozarks to play the legend's first public-access layout in the United States, a course he designed for the everyday player, with wide fairways and friendly greens. But don't be fooled, there's plenty of water at Payne's Valley to keep things challenging, although the pristine environs will keep you smiling throughout your round, most notably at the 19th hole, a dramatic par-3 “bonus hole” that plays to an island green at the foot of a 200-foot limestone cliff and waterfall.

Big Cedar's other “must-play” courses include Ozarks National, a remarkable Coore/Crenshaw design opened in 2019 and where Phil Mickelson took home the trophy in his inaugural PGA Tour Champions event last August.

The opening hole at Tom Fazio's Buffalo Ridge, a perennial top public course in Missouri, features a herd of North American bison roaming the native prairies adjacent to the fairway. For short courses, you have two fun par-3 options: Mountain Top, a Gary Player-shaped 13-hole course that's walking-only and chock-full of thrilling mountain views atop Big Cedar's highest point; and Top of the Rock, an immaculate Jack Nicklaus-designed course that, hole for hole, some experts call the country's premier par-3 layout.

Insider tip:  Plan your Top of the Rock round roughly two hours before sunset. As you finish your round, you'll witness Big Cedar's signature sunset ceremony off the first tee box, where a Civil War-era cannon gets fired and a bagpiper plays as the sun sets over Table Rock Lake.

What you'll pay at Payne's Valley:  From $180 in low season

You'll pay the least at:  Mountain Top, from $80 in low season

Where to stay (splurge):  Big Cedar Lodge, a 4,600-acre lakeside retreat that is often voted the best resort in the Midwest. Its accommodations are spread across a collection of lodges, cottages, glamping units and private cabins. From $399

Where to stay (save):  At the just-opened Angler's Lodge, another Johnny Morris project, 94 rustic-but-stylish rooms are just 10 minutes from the golf courses (with a complimentary shuttle).  From $199

Kohler (Sheboygan County, Wisconsin)

Location:  72 miles north of Milwaukee and 142 miles north of Chicago

What it offers:  Golf lovers near and far make the pilgrimage to teeny Kohler, Wisconsin (population: 2,146), home to the Kohler Co ., for one reason primarily: to play the Straits Course at Whistling Straits, host of multiple PGA Championships and this September's Ryder Cup. It's one of four 18-hole Pete Dye courses in the Destination Kohler rota, and one of the country's preeminent courses, ranked 23rd in America by  Golf Digest .

Framed by 2 miles of Lake Michigan's Caribbean-blue colored waters, the Straits Course (walking only) might be the best links-style routing this side of Ireland, punctuated by 1,000-some-odd bunkers and roaming sheep in its fairways. There, choosing your favorite hole is akin to choosing your favorite Beatle — they're all prodigious, in particular, its family of par-3s, where each tee shot plays to a postcard-like green along the coastline. Few scorecards leave the Straits Course scot-free; the 17th hole (Pinched Nerve) and 18th hole (Dyeabolical) contend for the stiffest two-hole finish on the planet.

The destination's three other 18-hole courses aren't mere add-ons but championship tracks in their own right. On the same piece of property, but inland from Lake Michigan, is the Irish Course, Whistling Straits’ bluff-laden sibling, a less-punishing round of golf inspired by the prolific courses of southwestern Ireland.

Twenty minutes away, two parkland courses on the Sheboygan River at Blackwolf Run — the River and Meadow Valleys courses — introduce a different side of Wisconsin's landscape. “There could not be a better natural setting for golf,” Pete Dye says of the River Course, bedecked with large undulating greens, strategic bunkering, and water or gorges on 14 of its 18 holes. At Meadow Valleys, generous fairways bisect idyllic rolling grasslands, though its rough will certainly punish the errant tee shot.

There's also a new fifth option for golfers that has been met with wide applause: the Baths of Blackwolf Run, a casual, 10-hole, par-3 course next to Meadow Valleys that was more than five years in the making. The Baths, which can be played as an 18- or 27-hole routing, and the adjacent two-acre putting course make for the perfect spots to settle any remaining golf wagers.

Insider tip:  Take full advantage of your caddie at the Straits Course ($70 fee plus gratuity), where wind, knee-deep fescue and other elements will challenge you. A caddie will read greens, provide target lines and, if you're lucky, point out the resident bald eagles nesting in the trees along the 10th fairway.

What you'll pay at the Straits Course:  from $410 in low season

You'll pay the least at:  the Baths, $75; complimentary if on a golf package

Where to stay (splurge):  Once a dormitory for immigrant workers in the early 20th century, the American Club Resort Hotel in Kohler is now a plush five-star property with multiple restaurants and bars and one of the country's best spas.  From $389

Where to stay (save):  Settle into the Inn on Woodlake, on Wood Lake in Kohler, and you'll have access to a beach and practice putting green. The famous Kohler Chocolates shop is a short stroll from the hotel.  From $224

Tom Mackin is a former senior editor at Golf magazine who’s based in Scottsdale, Arizona; he has teed it up in 20 countries across North America, Australia/Oceania, Asia and Europe. 

T.J. Olwig is a St. Louis-based travel writer who has penned stories for BBC Travel , Delta Sky , Missouri Life and Virtuoso Life .

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10 Best Golf Courses in the Midwest with Green Fees

• 10 Best Golf Courses in…

The Midwest is well known for golfing. There are thousands of courses in the area, so it’s important to find the ones that are the best. This list of the top 10 ten courses in the whole of the Midwest will ensure you have the best experience possible while traveling to your next golfing destination.

Table of Contents

1. Erin Hills in Wisconsin

Access: Open to the public Site: erinhills.com Green Fee: $170-$385 Stay and Play Package: Offers various stay and play packages

The Erin Hills Golf Course is located on 652 acres of land that was once home to glaciers and rivers. This gave the course its unique shape and flow. When designing the course, the unique shape was kept to allow for a unique course and game unlike any other in the area.

The architects were Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, and Ron Whitten. They created the course to accommodate the 23017 U.S. Open, making it a challenge for players, but still easy for spectators to see. The course isn’t the only thing impressive about the course. The caddies are knowledgeable and the overnight accommodations are comfortable and clean.

Read on our list of the best golf courses in Wisconsin for more great recommendations.

2. The Pete Dye French Lick Resort in Indiana

Access: Open to the public Site: frenchlick.com Green Fee: $375 Stay and Play Package: Offers various stay and play packages

The Pete Dye Course at French Lick has a lot to offer. This course was the host of the PGA Championship in 2015 and is known to be one of the most iconic courses in the US. The stay and play packages are amazing and made our list of top Midwestern stay and play golf packages .

The Pete Dye Course isn’t all that French Lick Resort Offers. There are several other courses worth checking out while you are there. There are also dining rooms, concerts, and casinos to enjoy when you aren’t on the courses.

3. TPC Deere Run in Illinois

Access: Open to the public Site:  tpc.com Green Fee: $99, though locals get 20% off Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages

Since 2000, TPC Deere Run has hosted the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic every July. Though the course didn’t start hosting the tour until 2000, the course has been part of the PGA Tour since 1971. It was made to be a sister course to other TPC courses, especially TPC Sawgrass.

The architect of the course was D.A. Weibring. For those that don’t know about this man, he was originally a PGA Tour professional. He focused on keeping nature a huge part of the course, following natural lines and features of the landscape. The favored hole of this course is number 16.

4. Dunes Courses at the Prairie Club in Nebraska

Access: Open to the public Site: theprairieclub.com Green Fee: $157-$299 Stay and Play Package: Non-member stay and play packages start at $576

This is a great course for anyone to play but is especially beneficial to those that enjoy links-style golf. To get a good score on the Dunes Course, you need a ball that flies low against the wind. The course mimics a seascape with a winding path and tall prairie grass mimicking waves.

There are stay and play packages for the Prairie Club throughout the year, but they tend to fill up fast. This means it’s a good idea to plan this trip as far in advance as you can. In addition to the Dunes Course, there are also the Pines Course and the Horse Course. These are well worth playing at as well if you get the chance.

5. Straits Course at the Whistling Straits Golf Course in Wisconsin

Access: Open to the public Site: destinationkohler.com Green Fee: $300-$630 Stay and Play Package: Has a stay and play package all the to Dye Four Package

The Straits Course offers two miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan while you play, and a rugged and windswept terrain for the whole of the course. Designed by Pete Dye, it offers a mix of beautiful scenery and nerve-wracking holes to keep you on your toes.

There are a few other courses at Whistling Straits as well, known as the Irish Course, The River, and Meadow Valleys. These are also great courses definitely worth checking out. The course also offers a restaurant in a rustic Irish Farmhouse setting, and a golf shop in case you want a souvenir or forgot any important equipment at home.

If you’re interested to visit Wisconsin, here’s our list of the best golf packages in Wisconsin .

6. Wilderness Course at the Wilderness at Fortune Bay in Minnesota

Access: Open to the public Site: golfthewilderness.com Green Fee: $40-$116 Stay and Play Package: There is a stay and play package starting at $124

Located right along Lake Vermilion, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is another beautiful place to play. The course was designed by Jeffrey D. Brauer. The rolling greens and elevation changes in every hole provide a challenge for those looking for something new.

In addition to the golf course, there are also a casino, and various activities throughout the winter. Some of the winter sports include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and fishing. There are also trails for cross-country skiing, so this is a perfect place to visit throughout the year, even when the golfing season is over.

7. The Bluffs Course at Arcadia Bluffs in Michigan

Access: Open to the public| Site: arcadiabluffs.com Green Fee: $100-$240 Stay and Play Package: You can book golfing and rooms at the same time, but there are no specific packages.

The Bluffs Course is a great place to play a game more in the links style with a fun view of Lake Michigan throughout most of it. In addition to the Bluffs Course, there’s the South Course with an older and more traditional feel to it. It’s well worth playing both courses if you get the chance.

The Bluffs Course offers an open green. Despite being open, the slope and shape lead to some unique challenges for the course. The course is open every day between April and November, so this is a great one to end your golfing season with.

We’ve compiled a list of more recommended golf courses in Michigan . Check them out.

8. Firekeeper Golf Course in Kansas

Access: Open to the public Site: firekeepergolf.com Green Fee: $70-$100 Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available starting at $239

Built by 4-time PGA Tour winner Notah Begay III and Jeff Brauer, the course was made to mimic the natural land and reduce disturbances to the area. The course is a total of 7,700 yards. Depending on your tee, there are a variety of different challenge levels. This allows you to adapt to the course as you improve and makes it fun to return to later.

The course is located just outside of Topeka, Kansas. The style of the course changes as you go along the holes. It starts with the feel of a links course but grows more traditional after the first few holes. It is a fairly new course, having just opened in 2011. It also has a casino to keep you entertained when not on the green with over 1,000 slots and plenty of game tables.

9. The Jewel Golf Course in Michigan

Access: Open to the public Site: grandhotel.com Green Fee: $105-$185 Stay and Play Package: Offers a variety of different golf packages based on the summer and additional attractions

The Jewel Golf Course is located right in the heart of traditional Michigan scenery with views of the Straits of Mackinac. The 7th hole is especially remarkable and ranked one of the top 18 holes in Michigan thanks to the scenery. If you want some practice before getting to the course, there are driving ranges for a warm-up. You even get a bag of 50 golf balls for the driving range for practice.

The Jewel Golf Course is actually made up of two different 9-hole courses. These are the Grand Nine and The Woods Nine. Both were made by Jerry Matthews. The Grand Nine was made in 1901 with a redesign in 1987 and the Woods Nine was made in 1994. Horse-drawn carriages take you between the two different nines.

10. Sand Valley Course at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Wisconsin

Access: Open to the public Site: sandvalley.com Green Fee: $105-$275 Stay and Play Package: Some basic stay and play packages are available

Sand Valley was the first golf course that Sand Valley Golf Resort had. It opened up in 2017 after three years of designing. The course has key features such as large, exposed dunes, fairways that are both firm and fast, and a variety of different ways to excel at the course.

The designer behind the course is Mike Keiser, who also created Bandon Dunes in Oregon. He is another designer who lets nature design the course for him. The course is designed to be fun and features a host of other amenities and activities besides golfing to make it fun for the whole family.

Sand Valley also made into our list of the best golf courses in the US . Check out the list to find more great golf courses!

What Is the Biggest Golf Course in the US?

The biggest golf course is considered to be RainDance. It’s located near Denver, Colorado. It measures a total of 8,463 yards. This makes it not only the longest course in all of North America but the third longest in the world.

Fred Funk, Harrison Minchew, and Martin Lind came together to create a course. The course is just about 5,000 feet in elevation, allowing balls to travel 15-20 percent further. This makes for a perfect challenge for people not from the area.

How Many Golf Courses Are in the Midwest?

There are quite a few courses in the Midwest. By rough estimate, you can expect to find a total of 5,330 golf courses in the states that make up the Midwest. With so many courses, it’s easy to understand why it’s important to figure out which ones are at the top of their class.

How Do I Keep My Golf Equipment Safe While Traveling?

There are a few ways to keep your golf equipment safe while traveling. First, it’s important to take the time and remove the heads off of your golf clubs. This stops them from breaking or catching on to something while traveling.

Another option is to buy a golf travel bag . This is a bag that goes over your normal golf bag and equipment to add further security and keep it protected from damages or spills that might occur.

How Many Golf Courses Are in Michigan?

Michigan is listed third for the total number of golf courses per state. Beating Michigan out are California and Florida. This means that Michigan has by far the most golf courses in the Midwest. But how many courses does Michigan have? The answer is about 873.

Here is a list of the other golf courses in the Midwest, and how many are in each state:

The courses break down as such:

• Illinois: 695
• Indiana: 437
• Kansas: 247
• Minnesota: 522
• Missouri: 349
• Nebraska: 232
• North Dakota: 141
• South Dakota: 154
• Wisconsin: 524

As an alternative, how about relaxing and playing in a golf resort instead? If this sounds good for you, here’s our list for the 12 best golf resorts in the Midwest . Check them out!

Related Articles

• 8 Best Stay and Play Golf Packages in Midwest
• 11 Best Golf Courses in Ohio With Green Fees
• 10 Best Golf Courses in Michigan with Green Fees
• Top 9 US Cities with the Best Golf Courses
• 12 Best Golf Travel Bags For All Budgets & Needs

Author:  Nina Phillips

Nina is first and foremost a writer. Some of her favorite topics include traveling, animals, and the latest technology. In her free time, she works to publish her first novel and travel around to other places including Japan, most of the continental United States, and England.

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The Best Public Golf Experiences in the MidWest

Whether you’re a casual or an avid golfer, you know that the golfing experience can range from one day to the next. There is so much more to golf than just the sport itself. It can be a way to socialize, experience nature, satisfy that competitive urge, or just relax with the family in a luxurious environment. Finding the right course can make all the difference.

We all see golf and experience golf in different ways, but it’s the overall community aspect that can be so appealing. Unfortunately, not all golf courses are public, leaving you with a small selection of options, especially if you live in the Midwest. Here are four of the best public golf courses which can offer you the best golfing experience in the mid-west.

Firekeeper Golf Course, Mayetta, Kansas

Located just outside the capital city of Topeka, Firekeeper is a wonderful 18-hole golf course open to all members of the public. Voted the #1 golf course in Kansas, it was opened in 2011 and is the first signature course of Notah Begay III, a four-time PGA TOUR winner.

Firekeeper golf course is partnered with Prairie Band Casino & Resort, which is located just across the street, where you can gamble and dine after your 18-holes. If you are keener on sports betting, Bonusfinder are updating KS promo codes on a regular basis . For example, at BetMGM, Rory McIlroy is currently the 5/1 favorite to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October.

Brickyard Crossing, Indianapolis, Indiana

The Brickyard Crossing golf course was formerly known as the Speedway Golf course, due to its proximity to the Indianapolis Speedway. If you are a motorsport fan and golfing enthusiast or are just looking for a wonderful overall experience, then Brickyard is perfect.

With the greens almost as fast as the cars, it is a unique golfing experience emersed in sporting heritage.

Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin

Whistling Straits is an extremely challenging course situated in Kohler Wisconsin. So challenging that it was voted the “ most difficult golf course in America ” by Golf.com. Such a historical and pristine golf course is rarely fully open to the public.

If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because just last year the Ryder Cup was held here , which the USA ran away with. As you walk through the course you are treated to an incredible view of Lake Michigan accompanied by a rustic Irish setting. The course also consists of a luxury resort, where you can treat yourself to fine dining and a relaxing atmosphere after a tough day on the course.

Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Palos Park, Illinois

Voted the #1 golf club in Illinois, Cog Hill is home to four different golf courses, each one more demanding than the other. The course that hosted several PGA Tours offers a lot more than just 72-holes of golfing perfection.

The facility includes a driving range, a learning center, two golf shops, a banquet hall, and a restaurant. They also offer a range of fun events, including the very unique night golf with your very own glowing tees.

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Join us for the 2024 season and become a member of the Oldest and Largest Amateur Tour in the Country! The 2024 Golfweek Amateur Tour National Championship will be in held October 18-20 with a flighted skins game on October 17.

2024 regionals.

JAN 6-7, 2024

Southern icebreaker.

Robert Trent Jones, Palmetto Dunes Harbour Town Links, Sea Pines Hilton Head, SC

JAN 13-14, 2024

Western states icebreaker.

Paiute Resort Golf Resort Sun Mountain and Wolf Mountain Las Vegas, NV

FEB 24-25, 2024

Four ball championship.

Barefoot Resort and Golf Love Course and Dye Course Myrtle Beach, SC

MAR 16-17, 2024

St. patrick's day regional.

True Blue Golf Club Pawleys Island, SC

MAGNOLIA CLASSIC

Old Waverly Golf Club Mossy Oak Golf Club West Point, MS

APR 13-14, 2024

Florida regional.

Innisbrook Resort Island and Copperhead Course Palm Harbor, FL

APR 20-21, 2024

Smoky mountain regional.

Sequoyah National Golf Club Cherokee, NC

MAY 25-26, 2024

Memorial day championship at pga west.

Pete Dye Mountain Course Nicklaus Tournament Course La Quinta, CA

JUN 1-2, 2024

Great lakes regional.

American Dunes Golf Club Grand Haven, MI

JUNE 8-9, 2024

Cajun classic.

Tamahka Trails Golf Club Marksville, LA

JUN 22-23, 2024

Low country regional.

Ocean Creek Course Fripp Island, SC

JUL 1-2, 2024

Midwest regional.

Big Cedar Lodge Buffalo Ridge and Ozarks National Hollister, MO

JUL 6-7, 2024

Independence day regional.

Grande Dunes Resort Club Myrtle Beach, SC

JULY 27-28, 2024

Georgia regional at sea island.

Seaside Course Plantation Course St. Simons Island, GA

AUG 3-4, 2024

The virginia regional.

Golden Horseshoe Golf Club The Gold Course Williamsburg, VA

AUG 24-25, 2024

Southern regional at kiawah island.

Turtle Point and Cougar Point Kiawah Island, SC

AUG 31- SEPT 1, 2024

Western players championship.

TPC Scottsdale Stadium and Champions Courses Scottsdale, AZ

SEPT 1-2, 2024

French lick labor day regional.

French Lick Springs Resort Donald Ross and Pete Dye Courses French Lick, IN

Congratulations to the 2023 Golfweek Amateur Tour National Champions!

Left to Right: Joe Jaspers, Charlotte, NC - Champ Flight Eric Whitworth, Charlotte, NC - A Flight Kevin Ingram, Nashville, TN - B Flight Ryan Samples, Indiana-Western KY - C Flight Michael Ray, North Central Florida - D Flight

View pictures of the 2023 national tour championship here..

Over 790 players from 47 Local Tours competed in the 2023 Golfweek National Championship!

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. –This year’s tournament marked the 29th anniversary of the Golfweek Amateur Tour. In all, nearly 800 players competed in the three-day event with members from each one of our 47 Local Tours represented.

In the Championship Flight,  Joe Jaspers  won an unprecedented seventh National Championship in a sudden-death playoff over  Lance Lacombe .  Jaspers  opened the tournament on Friday at Robert Trent Jones with a three-under-par round of 69 and a two-shot lead over Chad Frank.   The Robert Trent Jones course belonged to Elliott Johnson on Saturday when he fired a four-under-par round of 68 and took a one-shot lead over Jaspers heading into the final round. The stage was set for a shoot-out on Sunday and the flight leaders did not disappoint! Lance Lacombe started the day four shots back but made-up ground on the back nine with an eagle on 15 and birdie on 16 resulting in the low round of the weekend (a five-under-par score of 67). Jaspers hung tight and birdied the fifteenth to tie Lacombe at three-under-par. On seventeen (par 3), Jaspers hit the ball to ten feet and power-lipped it out for the lead. At the end of the day, Jaspers and Lacombe both finished the 54-hole tournament at three-under-par and landed in a sudden death playoff on hole 18. Jaspers hit a perfect shot to about 6 feet and then followed it by sinking the birdie putt to become the 2023 National Champion. It was the second year in a row that Lance Lacombe finished solo second.

Joe Jaspers , Charlotte, NC (69-74-70—213) Lance Lacombe , Jacksonville, FL (75-71-67—213) Corbin Holt , Alabama (73-72-70—215) Elliott Johnson , Hilton Head/Savannah (74-68-74—216) Chad Frank , Orlando (71-76-71—218)

In the A Flight, we had a back nine battle all day between Eric Whitworth and Wayne Fisher at Golden Bear GC in Indigo Run .   The two dueled it out until Whitworth finally won by only one shot on the final hole.  Whitworth fired a 75 while Fisher posted an even par (72) and lost by just one stroke.  Whitworth now has the pleasure of being the 2023 A Flight National Champion..

Eric Whitworth , Charlotte, NC (71-75-75—221) Wayne Fisher , Philadelphia Metro (71-79-72—222) David Dodgen , Columbia, SC (77-79-76—232) Dana Shoulders , Columbus, OH (81-81-71—233) Eric Maland , Charleston, SC (81-78-74—233)

In the B Flight, Kevin Ingram did not let his second-day score of 90 stop him from coming on strong in Sunday’s final round! Ingram shot the low round at Hampton Hall (four-over-par round of 76) and finished two-strokes ahead of the field with a three-day total of 244. Ken Sloan finished second at 246 and Jason Vesser placed third with a 247. Once again, congratulations to Kevin Ingram for posting one of the biggest come-from-behind wins in Tour history to become our 2023 B Flight National Champion.

Kevin Ingram , Nashville, TN (78-90-76—244) Ken Sloan , Cincinnati/Dayton, OH (85-80-81—246) Jason Vesser, Mississippi (78-84-85—247) Bob Santee , Upstate, SC (80-85-83—248) Rich McClendon , Arkansas (86-77-85—248) Justin Carroll , South, FL (81-82-85—248) Tony Chon , Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (78-83-87—248) Brian Harden , Tidewater, VA (77-84-87—248)

The C Flight saw Ryan Samples take home his first-ever National Championship with a three-day score of 260. Going into the final day, Samples was four shots behind the two-day leader, Thomas Purvis . Samples managed to pull away on the Atlantic Dunes course and secured the victory and the 2023 C Flight National Champion trophy.

Ryan Samples , Indiana-Western, KY (91-82-87—260) Thomas Purvis , Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (86-83-93—262) Colton Vaughn , Alabama (97-79-87—263) Gary Parnell , Columbia, SC (92-89-83-264) Kevin Briggs , Orlando, FL (86-84-94—264)

In D Flight,  Michael Ray  beat both Justin Cook and Robert Benavides by four shots to become the National Champion with a three-day score of 268. Sunday was just a three-horse race as both pushed hard to make up a few shots and close the gap. Ultimately, Cook and Benavides came up short and Ray took home the hardware and the title of 2023 D Flight National Champion.

Michael Ray , North Central, FL (88-90-90—268) Justin Cook , Central North Carolina (98-87-87—272) Robert Benavides , Cincinnati/Dayton, OH (90-91-91—272) Marcus Knight , Indiana-Western, KY (98-88-89—275) Gary Hedges , Cincinnati/Dayton, OH (91-93-91—275)

Cincinnati/Dayton defended their Team Cup status from 2022 with a three-day total of 2495 stokes. Charlotte, NC  took second place with 2523 shots followed by the 2021 winner Hilton Head/Savannah at 2528. Columbus, OH  finished fourth at 2545 followed by  Orlando, FL  with a three-day total of 2547.

Turning to the Edwin Watts 2 Man Team Challenge, be sure to congratulate the following teams for winning their flight with the three-day totals listed below:

Champ Flight: Corbin Holt (Alabama) and Lance Lacombe (Jacksonville, FL) 428 A Flight: Travis Wireman (Charlotte, NC) and Eric Whitworth (Charlotte, NC) 468 B Flight: Justin Carroll (South Florida) and Adam Rosenberger (South Florida) 502 C Flight: Colton Vaughn (Alabama) and Bubba Thrash (Alabama) 536 D Flight: David Schmidt (Augusta, GA) and Chris Oliver (Augusta, GA) 558

This season marked the eighteenth year Hilton Head Island hosted our National Championships. Our 1245 competitors (791 Golfweek Amateur Tour/434 Senior Amateur Tour) collectively played on nine courses: Country Club of Hilton Head, Oyster Reef GC, Bear Creek, Golden Bear, Robert Cupp at Palmetto Hall, Hampton Hall, Atlantic Dunes at Sea Pines and Robert Trent Jones and Arthur Hills at Palmetto Dunes.

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‘One Shot Away’: Follow Korn Ferry Tour stars on journey to PGA TOUR card

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The Korn Ferry Tour winds its way through several countries and U.S. states, with roughly 150 players seeking 30 PGA TOUR cards.

The 2024 Korn Ferry Tour schedule includes 26 events, hundreds of travel hours, and thousands of decisions to strategize. In the end, a single stroke could be the difference between fulfilling a lifelong dream and waiting until next year.

That’s the Korn Ferry Tour’s dramatic reality, which is depicted on “One Shot Away.”

The series, produced by PGA TOUR Entertainment, goes behind the scenes in capturing the essence of players’ lives inside and outside the ropes, seeking any marginal advantage that could potentially save a stroke throughout the season, which could prove the difference in earning a PGA TOUR card or returning to the Korn Ferry Tour in 2025.

The top 30 finishers on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Points List, finalized after the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance in October, will earn 2025 PGA TOUR membership. That’s the goal, with various ways to get there – it could be a couple of big weeks, or a series of steady showings. If past is prescient, the graduating class will include a mix of promising up-and-comers and wily veterans, looking to follow the lead of Scottie Scheffler (Korn Ferry Tour Class of 2019) and ascend to world No. 1.

Who will hear their name called at the season finale and receive a coveted PGA TOUR card? That’s anyone’s guess, and that’s the Korn Ferry Tour’s beauty.

Here's a capsule look at the 2024 cast of “One Shot Away” and the six Korn Ferry Tour members who are each seeking their first PGA TOUR card for 2025:

• Tim Widing : The Swede attended high school with Ludvig Åberg and looks to join his countryman on TOUR in 2025. Widing is a trick-shot enthusiast who played collegiately at the University of San Francisco and earned his first Korn Ferry Tour title at the LECOM Suncoast Classic in April.
• Fred Biondi : The University of Florida product authored a nifty double in 2023, winning the NCAA Division I men’s golf individual title while also helping the Gators win a team championship. The Brazil native finished No. 2 on the 2023 PGA TOUR University Ranking, behind only Åberg, to earn Korn Ferry Tour membership.
• Ross Steelman : The Missouri native began his college career at the University of Missouri before transferring to Georgia Tech, where he finished No. 4 on the 2023 PGA TOUR University Ranking to earn Korn Ferry Tour membership. Steelman, 23, learned the game at Perche Creek, a hybrid go-kart track/mini golf course and driving range in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri, and his family drove to various junior events across the Midwest in his formative years – a la Scheffler.
• Cooper Dossey : The Texas native played collegiately at Baylor University, where he became the school’s first First Team All-American in 2020, and he spent two years on mini-tours before earning Korn Ferry Tour status via PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry last fall. Dossey, 26, embraces his stutter, stamping his wedges with words that he struggles to say. He also hosts a podcast called “The Stutter Putter.”
• Sam Choi : The gregarious Californian graduated from the University of New Mexico before spending a fifth collegiate season at Pepperdine in 2022-23, finishing No. 11 on the PGA TOUR University Ranking before turning pro. Choi, 23, finished No. 2 on the 2023 PGA TOUR Canada’s season-long Fortinet Cup to earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for this season. Outside of golf, he enjoys pickleball and spikeball.

Below are 2024 “One Shot Away” airtimes on CBS Sports (all times ET):

• Episode 1: Sunday, April 28, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Episode 2: Sunday, May 26, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Episode 3: Sunday, June 9, 1:30-2 p.m.
• Episode 4: Saturday, July 13, 3-3:30 p.m.
• Episode 5: Saturday, Aug. 10, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Episode 6: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2-2:30 p.m.

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Midwest golfing magazine & wisconsin classic golf tour will again host a golf outing at trappers turn in 2024.

All golfers are invited to attend the:

Midwest Golfing Magazine/Wisconsin Classic Golf Tour Golf Outing. The date is set for Monday, August 26th at Trappers Turn Golf Club in Wisconsin Dells. Shotgun start is at 10:30 am. The outing includes: 18 hole scramble event, team prizes, hole prizes, dinner and a ton of fun. Men will play from the BLUE tees. Men aged 55 or older can play the WHITE tees. Ladies will play from the RED tees.

The cost is $100 for members and $125 for non-members.   CLICK HERE FOR A REGISTRATION FORM

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Moscow city tourism committee organizes conference for indian mice market stakeholders.

New Delhi [India], April 24 (ANI): Recognising market demand, the Moscow City Tourism Committee organized a conference for representatives of the Indian MICE industry, to introduce them to the tourism strengths of the Russian capital.

MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, and is a type of tourism in which large groups, usually plan things well in advance.

The event took place on April 19 in Delhi and brought together over 100 participants from MICE agencies of both countries, corporate customers, representatives of the travel industry in Moscow, Aeroflot and the Indian branches of Sberbank.

Business tourism is one of the most promising directions for Moscow.

In 2023, the capital was visited by 3.7 million business tourists - 7 per cent more than in 2022. And India remains one of the leaders among visitors from non-CIS countries in terms of the number of business travellers.

"The Russian capital as a centre of business tourism and corporate events is already an established and a strong brand in the international arena," commented Anastasia Popova, Deputy General Director for International and Industry Cooperation of Project Office for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality in Moscow.

"Now our task is to demonstrate to our Indian partners all the possibilities of organizing high-value MICE events in Moscow in combination with already proven tourist programs," said Popova.

At the Shaping MICE Future Conference, industry experts from Russia and India pronounced statements and speeches on the future of MICE events in these two countries, a presentation of the MICE potential of Moscow was showcased, and an analytical report on the state of the outbound MICE market in India was presented to the visitors.

During the panel discussion, participants assessed the current status and interaction peculiarities with the MICE market in India and developed recommendations for the MICE industry in Moscow during the general brainstorming session.

Representatives of the Indian MICE industry participated in B2B negotiations to find new cross-partners in the Moscow business environment and among representatives of the hospitality industry.

Representatives of the MICE industry took part in the event from Moscow.

Among them were DMC (Grand Rus, Academservice, Headed Goose, Satguru Travel, Isba Rus, Hug the Bear, Mellenium Group) as well as representatives of other partners interested in the development of MICE cooperation between Russia and India: Global transfers provider i'way and hotels Edge Seligerskaya and Edge Vinogradovo Moscow by Rotana.

"In 2024, we have witnessed a significant surge (more than quadruple) in the demand for transfers by Russians visiting India, both for business and leisure purposes. Muscovites are leading the trend, with 80 per cent of transfer bookings originating from the capital since the beginning of the year. Additionally, we observe a growing interest from Indian tourism agencies in exploring Russia, resulting in a substantial increase in our collaboration," commented Dmitriy Saraykin, co-founder of Global Transfer Provider i'way.

The Shaping MICE Future conference allowed the Moscow City Tourism Committee to form a pool of MICE industry representatives in Moscow to prioritize incoming requests for events and clarify India's requirements for business and corporate events to build mutually effective work. Indian colleagues received up-to-date information about Moscow as a safe and attractive MICE destination and were able to find potential partners among representatives of the MICE industry of the Russian capital and were able to present the MICE market in India.

"The event served as a remarkable platform for fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration within the tourism industry. The event provided us with invaluable opportunities to engage with key stakeholders from the tourism department, as well as tour operators and service providers. The insights gained during the event underscored the Moscow City Tourism Committee's keen interest in the Indian outbound market, and we are optimistic about the promising prospects for Moscow as a destination, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. We firmly believe that with concerted efforts and strategic initiatives, Moscow has the potential to emerge as a top-choice destination for Indian tourists," said Mudit Mathur, director of Tours Delite India, representing Academ Service - Russia in India.

The conference also assessed the solutions to foreign demand for non-standard venues and elements in MICE programs, such as museums, parks, theaters and others. Holding MICE events at offbeat locations, such as the State Historical Museum, the Moscow Planetarium and Khudozhestvenny Cinema, is becoming popular.

ANI 25th April 2024, 03:27 GMT+10

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Golf-Woods, McIlroy to receive loyalty payouts from PGA Tour, report says

(Reuters) -Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are among the golfers expected to be given equity in PGA Tour Enterprises as a thank you for sticking with the Tour instead of jumping to rival LIV Golf, the Telegraph reported on Wednesday.

Woods will receive a $100 million and McIlroy a $50 million stake in the newly-formed enterprise for not taking lucrative offers from the Saudi-backed LIV as merger negotiations between the two circuits continue to drag on.

A substantial portion of current PGA Tour members will be rewarded with equity in the new for-profit entity, according to a memo sent out in February by commissioner Jay Monahan and seen by Reuters.

PGA Tour Enterprises is majority owned by the Tour and bolstered by a $1.5 billion investment by Strategic Sports Group, a consortium of sports team owners, the memo said.

The program will reward top performing members and legends who helped build the modern PGA Tour, the memo said.

The initial round of player equity grants will total $930 million and will be awarded to 193 PGA Tour members, with the majority of that going to the top 36 players as determined by a performance-based formula, the memo said.

All initial grants will require players to compete in 15 or more events on the PGA Tour and/or complete service requirements commensurate with the value of the grant.

A spokesperson for the PGA Tour said the Tour could not comment on any detail of the Telegraph report due to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and private financial information.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los AngelesEditing by Toby Davis)

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Midwest mountaineering vibe of gear and beer all over new weekend event in st. paul.

When Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis closed last year, the popular gear retailer's biannual outdoors expos disappeared with it.

Much like the Northwest Sportshow and related gatherings, the events were circled on the calendars of Minnesotans — rites of spring and autumn. Visitors turned out to connect over, among other things, gear or stories of wild adventure and backcountry skills, and even to get educated on conservation-minded volunteer needs and opportunities.

The Great Gear-Up & Gather on Sunday doesn't aim to replace a signature Midwest Mountaineering happening, but the new gathering will claim its spirit.

"The [expo] was just such a connector for outdoors communities that often can feel siloed unless there are dedicated people bringing them together," said Amber Lynum of Paddle Bridge. The Mississippi River kayak tour guide service has partnered with St. Paul Brewing to put on the Great Gear-Up & Gather. It happens from noon to 5 p.m. in the main courtyard parking area of the brewery, on the site of the original Hamm's keg house.

A flea market vibe is part of the expectation Sunday, Lynum said, encouraging the public to come to sell small quantities of any form of new or gently used gear at one of the event's community tables. People also can opt for trunk sales and must register a vehicle. (Go to The Great Gear-Up & Gather Event .)

Also planned is a paddle craft auction, at about 4 p.m., something Midwest Mountaineering veterans can appreciate. Lynum said auction participants can show up with canoes, paddleboards, kayaks or rafts. (Send auction questions to [email protected] .)

Lynum said she admired how the outdoor expo exposed visitors to new topics and their advocates. Sunday's event, then, is a natural move for Paddle Bridge, she added, whose mission is to break some barriers to recreating on the Mississippi River.

Other partners for the Great Gear-Up & Gather are Friends of the Mississippi River; Patagonia St. Paul; paddle-makers Bending Branches and Aqua Bound; Natalie Warren, adventurer and author of "Hudson Bay Bound," and various outdoor meetup groups and outfitters. Even Midwest Mountaineering's paddlesports auctioneers will be on hand.

However the newcomer plays out, Lynum said the emphasis is on community — a space to come and connect, buy or sell or swap gear, and perhaps share a beer along the way.

"We have no desire to replicate all of the wonderful things Midwest did around the expo," she said.

Bob Timmons covers news across Minnesota's outdoors, from natural resources to recreation to wildlife.

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