By
Joy Neighbors
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| Donald Ross |
Ross,
a Scotts-American, built the course to fit in with the natural landscape in
true Scottish fashion. His architectural golf firm, Donald J. Ross and
Associates, crafted and designed more than 400 courses throughout the country
from 1900 to the late 1940s. Ross’s courses became so popular among golfers
that he has been credited for laying the foundation for the American golf
industry. Donald Ross was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame - one of
only five inductees with the title “golf course architect.”
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| The Hill Course in 1924 |
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| 1958 Competition at The Hill |
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| Renovations |
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| Head Golf Pro Rob Koontz |
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| A Traditional Course |
“Everyone
loves the history of this place,” Koontz said. “It’s a testament to the course
how it still stands up to high regard in the 21st century. It can be a
challenge but that’s part of the fun. We have unified undulating green sites
that are quite challenging, that’s why people want to play the course. If
you’ve played once, you want to play it again; it plays different every time.”
After
a challenging game nothing beats drinks at the clubhouse. Hagen’s Club House
Restaurant was originally built in 1927 and named after golfing great Walter
Hagen, 1924 PGA Champion. An old-fashioned display case in the Pro Shop
contains several items that belonged to Hagen. The restaurant menu features
everything from soup and sandwiches to seafood and steaks with a variety of
libations to quaff with your meal. Seating is available inside the clubhouse or
on the expansive porch overlooking the greens - an excellent spot to catch a
stunning Hoosier sunset.
When
asked what was his favorite part of working here, Koontz gestured to the
course, “It’s just exciting to be in a setting so historical. I love the
course, the community; the beautiful countryside nestled down in the Hoosier
National Forest. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and I’ve always loved
it. There’s so much history to learn; it’s just a great place to be.”
Course Information:
Donald Ross Course
Located west of French Lick on State Road 56
Open daily 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
(812) 936-5523
Course Accolades:
No. 48, Top 100 Best Resort Courses, GolfWeek Magazine,
2014
No. 100 America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, Golf
Digest Magazine, February 2013
No. 2 Course in Indiana, GolfWeek’s Best You Can Play,
2011 - 2013
Best Courses You Can Play, GolfWeek Magazine, 2008
America’s Top 30 Casino Courses, Golf Week Magazine, 2008
18 Best Holes in Indiana, Indiana Business Magazine, 2008
Runner Up: Best Remodel in America, Golf Digest Magazine,
2007
Runner Up: 2007 Renovation of the Year, GOLF Magazine,
2007