The Prairie Club targets May 2010 for opening

The Prairie Club, a new semi-private golf club in Valentine, Neb., has announced its intention to open in May of 2010.

The Prairie Club is located about 17 miles south of Valentine, Neb., a small town with a population of 2,650, which was voted by National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of the nation’s best wilderness towns. 

Within a day’s drive from major metro areas such as Denver, Omaha, Kansas City and Des  Moines, The Prairie Club will offer two, championship 18-hole golf courses and a par 3, 10-hole golf course.  The club is situated on 1,260 acres, along the Snake River Canyon.

Development of the semi-private golf club began two years ago when Paul Schock, an avid golfer and businessman from Sioux Falls, S.D., purchased a former ranch along the Snake River Canyon.  Schock purchased the land with the intent of creating a golf resort that takes advantage of the breathtaking terrain of Nebraska’s Sandhills region, which is known for its striking sand dunes landscape and as well as the world-famous annual migration route of the sandhill crane.

The Prairie Club’s three courses are being designed to offer avid golfers the silence and the stillness to allow them to experience golf in its most pure form.  “It’s just you, the ball and the prairie,” said General Manager, Tyler Swedberg, “it’s as simple as that.” 

The “Dunes” Course is an 18-hole championship golf course designed by PGA Tour Player and golf course architect Tom Lehman, and golf course architect Chris Brands.  Its’ six sets of tees stretch from 5,842 to 8,073 yards.  Marked by dramatic elevation changes, endless views of the Sandhills in all directions, and immense blow-out bunkers, a player will face this wind-torn land and massive rolling seascape of prairie grass, searching for a bright, calm slick of green fairway.  With a tip of the hat to natural, minimalistic links-style golf courses of Scotland and Ireland, the “Dunes” Course is a purely American prairie-links style experience that golfers of all stripes will find challenging.

The “Pines” Course, the other 18-hole championship golf course, takes advantage of the remnants of a nearby, ancient ponderosa forest situated along the banks of the Snake River Canyon. The course was designed by Graham Marsh, an internationally renowned touring golf professional, who also is recognized for his 25 years of worldwide golf course design experience.  The “Pines” Course features five sets of tees ranging from 5,329 to 7,528 yards.   The prevailing prairie winds are somewhat blocked by the western wall of the canyon and the trees, making the warming sun and the canyon views stunningly beautiful, creating a silent reverie for the golfer. 

Uniquely set apart from the two championship 18 hole golf courses is the wickedly fun “Horse” course. This par 3 golf course with 10 holes takes the game of basketball’s “h-o-r-s-e” to a new level.  With no tee boxes, the player with the honors calls the spot from which you tee up your next shot.  Set right on the rim of the Snake River Canyon, this golf course plays from 485 to 1,125 yards, depending upon where a player decides to call the tee shot, as the traditional game of “h-o-r-s-e” dictates.  Designed by renowned golf course architect Gil Hanse, along with his partners Geoff Shackelford and Jim Wagner, the “Horse” Course is the perfect complement to the putting green complex named “The Himalayas.” 

Landscapes Unlimited, based out of Lincoln, Neb., was the general contractor for all of the golf course construction, and BD Construction, Inc. out of Kearney, Neb., is the general contractor for the lodge/cabins construction.

The three courses are anchored by The Prairie Club Lodge, which will offer authentic and relaxed dining, lodging accommodations, golf shop, and much more.  A short stroll from the Lodge will be several four-bedroom cabins offering breathtaking views of the Snake River Canyon.  The Prairie Club also will feature a state of the art Learning and Performance Center to facilitate the practice needs of its members and guests.

Founding Membership Passes 120

While The Prairie Club will not open for nearly nine months, it already has more than 120 founding members who are attracted to the unique golfing experience that the club intends to offer, as well as its unconventional commitment to avid golfers worldwide.

“Our membership philosophy is best summed up as: if you want to play The Prairie Club, you can; if you want to play regularly, become a member,” said Swedberg.  “It’s a philosophy that allows The Prairie Club to offer a taste of the Club’s world-class golfing experience to avid golfers while at the same time, creating a special atmosphere for its members through priority lodging reservations and tee times.”

Founding Memberships are available to those who join the club prior to May 1, 2010.  The current Founding Membership deposit is $15,000, which will increase at the discretion of the club prior to its opening in 2010.  The club will continue to sell memberships after its opening date, with the goal of attracting up to 1,000 total members over time, according to Tyler Swedberg.

Founding Members will be able to choose which golf course they want to play, and are guaranteed that one of the club’s two championship golf courses will be reserved exclusively for members and their guests each day.  In addition, founding members will receive priority reservations and discounts for lodging accommodations; discounted guest golf fees; and reduced membership fees in future clubs developed by the club’s parent company, Destination Golf Ventures. 

In addition to world-class golf, The Prairie Club also will assist its members and guests in accessing some of America’s best outdoor recreational opportunities that are available in the Sandhills region of Nebraska.  These include blue-ribbon trout fishing on the nearby Snake River; upland bird, turkey and big game (deer, elk, antelope) hunting; walleye, bass and muskie fishing on the nearby Merritt Reservoir; canoeing and kayaking on the Niobrara River, named one of the best paddling rivers in America by Backpacker magazine; bird watching, including the annual migrations of the sandhill crane.