If you are looking for Indiana’s premier golfing destination, then you should look no further than French Lick. The best method of getting there is by car, preferably one that hugs the road and makes the drive down U.S. 150 through the Hoosier National Forest more fun than a roller coaster.
Once you turn off onto Indiana 56 and drive through West Baden, you’ll get the feeling you stepped back into time. The West Baden Hotel is a massive fixture down a brick road, fronted by an arched entryway. Its very existence is amazing to me; the fact that such an ornate, immense structure was built in 1902, and also that an awful lot of money was poured into it to save it from continuing to be a crumbling ruin. Just down the road you come upon another amazing edifice, the French Lick Resort and Casino.
The French Lick Resort looks very much like it did 100 years ago, with yellow bricks, welcoming canopy, and the especially welcoming veranda, strewn with rocking chairs and bistro tables, for sitting and relaxing, reading, chatting, and watching the day go by. There are some modern additions to the French Lick Resort, most notably the Casino and conference center wing, but when you enter the lobby with its rococo paintings and embellishments, intricate tile patterns in the floor, and bustling bellhops, again you’re reminded that you’ve gone back in time. They just don’t build them like that anymore.
French Lick offers modern and throw-back golf too. The Valley Links course is a nine-hole conversion of the 18-hole Tom Bendelow design that was original to the French Lick Springs Hotel. It is fully walkable and designed with children and beginners in mind. However, the championship tee length is 3,500 yards, so it’s perfect for families with various skill levels.
The Donald Ross Course, originally called The Hill Course, is a more challenging course, strewn with elevated greens that are filled with undulations. A par-70 that plays to 7,000 yards, it was originally constructed in 1917 by iconic architect Donald Ross (best known for Pinehurst No. 2 and Oakland Hills). Over the years changes were made to the course, not necessarily enhancing it. So in 2005 the course underwent a $5 million dollar restoration, in collaboration with the Donald Ross Society. Eighty of Ross’s original trademark bunkers, with flat bottoms and deep faces, were put back in place aside or near the restored square or rectangular-shaped greens.
Again, you are sent back in time to golf a century ago. However, the modern convenience of golf carts with GPS devices in them, make the course oh so much more playable!
The gem of the French Lick courses is the Pete Dye Course at the top of the hill, which opened in 2009. The clubhouse, a turn of the last century mansion built by Thomas Taggart, former owner of the hotel, stands at nearly 1,000 feet above sea level. Even so, the course is quite walkable (although a caddie is required), with 40-mile panoramic views all around. On every hole you have a spectacular view, which might distract you from the dangers that lie in the course at your feet! Five sets of tees range from 5,151 yards with a 118 slope rating, to 8,102 with a 148 slope. It has narrow fairways, many different kinds of bunkers, including some that Dye called “volcanoes.”
With the casino, spa, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, bowling alley and water park, there are activities (besides golf) for the whole family to enjoy at The French Lick Resort.
• Quote of the Day — “I was lying 10 and had a 35-foot putt. I whispered over my shoulder: “How does this one break?” And my caddie said, “Who cares?” — Jack Lemmon.
• Upcoming events — The THWGA will host the Women’s City Tournament July 27-30 at Rea Park. A qualifying round will be on Friday, with three days of match play to follow. Entry fee is $40. Entry forms are available at Rea Park and Hulman Links. Contact Sandy Stabler at (812) 877-3485 for more information.
The Alice Dye Women’s Golf Invitational will be held at the French Lick Resort on Sept. 23-25. The package includes two nights at West Baden Springs Hotel, golf at The Pete Dye Course, golf at the Donald Ross Course, practice rounds available at either course, and most of your food. Price is $618. For more information contact Marsha Tellstrom at mtellstrom@frenchlick.com.
Jennifer Myers can be reached by e-mail at jfmyers@xsthe.net.
Sports
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: Getting to Hoosier country’s best golfing venue part of the fun
- Sports
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Small ball: Ciara McClain bunts to advance a teammate early in the Viking�s sectional matchup with Brown County.
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West Vigo comes up short against 19-9 Brown County softball
West Vigo got off to a good start but Brown County finished better in Class 3A high school softball sectional semifinal action Tuesday night at Edgewood.
The Eagles bested the Vikings 7-5 and will meet South Vermillion, a 12-7 winner over Owen Valley, for the sectional championship on Thursday starting at 6 p.m.
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Valley baseball teams have been keeping busy heading into sectionals
When high school baseball sectionals begin around the Wabash Valley today, one complaint that’s not expected to be heard from any coach is that his team has had too much time off.
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Northview powers way past Terre Haute South in sectional semifinal
Northview unleashed power rarely seen in high school girls softball Tuesday night to eliminate Terre Haute South 8-1 in the Class 4A Sectional at Martinsville High School.
The Knights hit three home runs in an eight-run third inning to reach the championship game. -
TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. -
Terre Haute North dominates field at regional
Keirra Porter took first place in two individual events and helped Terre Haute North win one of its relays as the Patriots captured the Evansville Central Regional team championship in girls high school track and field Tuesday night.
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
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PREP ROUNDUP: South tennis cruises into regional final
Terre Haute South didn’t lose a game en route to blanking Seeger 5-0 in girls high school tennis Tuesday to advance to today’s championship match against Crawfordsville in the Greencastle Regional.
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Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
South Vermillion’s Tim Terry is the longest tenured coach in Wabash Valley high school baseball as his Wildcats are set to begin sectional play Thursday against Owen Valley.
But on the Yankees, a 35-and-over team in the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League, Terry is “just a youngster” if you ask Larry Roesch, his 68-year-old teammate on the Volkers Group Yankees. -
ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
When Indiana State starting pitcher Sean Manaea slumped on the mound in obvious pain after he took his warm-up pitches, red flags raised for ISU’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament hopes.
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West Vigo softball holds off nemesis Edgewood in softball sectional
Ice cream was enough of a reward Monday night after the West Vigo Vikings beat eight-time defending champion Edgewood 6-2 in extra innings in the opening game of the Class 3A softball sectional at Edgewood High School. But that’s not what Vikings want.
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West Vigo comes up short against 19-9 Brown County softball
- Local Interest
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Coach: Tim Terry is the South Vermillion baseball coach and plays in the senior league on Sunday afternoons.
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Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
South Vermillion’s Tim Terry is the longest tenured coach in Wabash Valley high school baseball as his Wildcats are set to begin sectional play Thursday against Owen Valley.
But on the Yankees, a 35-and-over team in the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League, Terry is “just a youngster” if you ask Larry Roesch, his 68-year-old teammate on the Volkers Group Yankees. -
Softball sectionals up for grabs
All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.
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Indiana State baseball series canceled
Heavy rain from Thursday through Saturday has forced Indiana State and Tennessee Martin to cancel their three-game weekend baseball series in northwest Tennessee.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman baseball to play DePauw on Thursday after Tuesday's rain
The Rose-Hulman baseball team has rescheduled its non-conference game with DePauw to Thursday night.
The start time remains 7 p.m. for the single nine-inning game that was originally scheduled for today. Tuesday’s scheduled Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference game at Anderson was moved to Sunday because of rain. -
Vigo County Youth Soccer Association to host Indiana Soccer Cup Games
The Vigo County Youth Soccer Association will welcome more than 7,000 people to its Springhill Drive facility through two tournaments in the next five weeks.
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Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
- High School
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West Vigo comes up short against 19-9 Brown County softball
West Vigo got off to a good start but Brown County finished better in Class 3A high school softball sectional semifinal action Tuesday night at Edgewood.
The Eagles bested the Vikings 7-5 and will meet South Vermillion, a 12-7 winner over Owen Valley, for the sectional championship on Thursday starting at 6 p.m.
- Valley baseball teams have been keeping busy heading into sectionals
- Northview powers way past Terre Haute South in sectional semifinal
- Terre Haute North dominates field at regional
- PREP ROUNDUP: South tennis cruises into regional final
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- College
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
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ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
When Indiana State starting pitcher Sean Manaea slumped on the mound in obvious pain after he took his warm-up pitches, red flags raised for ISU’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament hopes.
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ISU baseball hoping Manaea can get its MVC Tournament moving in right direction
Indiana State’s baseball team has been waiting all season for its stars to align.
But this is the 2013 Sycamores, after all, and after a season in which seemingly little has gone right, it appears its stars will remain crossed at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. -
ISU track sending record 22 to postseason
On the heels of their thrilling double victory at the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships both the Indiana State men and women moved up in the national rankings which were released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
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ISU's athletic treasure trove
Think of every championship that Indiana State has won in each of its sports, past and present. Think of every tournament — postseason or regular season — which the Sycamores have claimed as their own.
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
- Sports Columns
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. - Shooters compete to fight cancer
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- TRACKSIDE: Terre Haute's Carmichael enjoying strong spring in modifieds, stocks
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
- Pro Sports
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. - Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
- Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
- Colts introduce free-agent signees
- Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Terre Haute Rex
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Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex went through plenty of trials and tribulations during the summer of 2012.
The team got off to a sluggish start to settle for third place during the first half of the Prospect League race, but manager Brian Dorsett rallied the troops to a second-half title. - Metro Roundup: Dorsett, Rex players honored in Prospect League postseason awards
- Rex out of playoffs
- Rex mix, match their way to win
- Rex turn eye to Prospect playoffs
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
- Colts
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
- Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
- Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Werner at top of game
- Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
- Auto Racing
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. - Carpenter arrives as Indy 500 threat
- Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole
- TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
- TRACKSIDE: Tough to rise from sprint-car racing, especially in challenging financial times
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
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Athletes come to aid of Oklahoma tornado victims
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Weekend Recruiting Wrap
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Triple Play: Miguel Cabrera, Giants, and Rays
Globe 10.0: Can the Bruins young defensemen keep playing well?
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