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“I think I about put myself in a psychiatric ward” — Brandt Snedeker on his 5 over 77 that dropped him from potential Masters Champion to 3rd place. |
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Iowa Golf is #1! |
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For Great Almost-Year-Round Golf Visit Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks!
by Pam Droog Jones
When the leaves turn colors and the air turns cooler, many golfers put away their clubs until spring — but many others consider fall and winter possibly the best time of the year to rev up the golf cart. That’s especially true at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, where off-season golf means beautiful weather, fewer crowds, lower fees and great values in lodging, dining and entertainment.
The 16 golf courses at the Lake of the Ozarks include several “designer” courses by well-known names like Roger Null, Tom Weiskopf, Arnold Palmer, Jim Lewis, Bruce Devlin, Robert Von Hagge, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Jack Nicklaus. They run the gamut from challenging PGA tournament sites to family-friendly courses and everything in between. Best of all, Lake-area golf courses are located less than 30 minutes from each other; you could easily play two a day and be finished before the early winter sunset.
At the Lake of the Ozarks, fall golf often lasts through Thanksgiving or later. Average daytime temperatures are almost 57 degrees in November and 46 degrees in December. And in January and February, daytime temperatures sometimes warm up into the 50- to 60-degrees range. In fact, there are many days throughout the off-season when the weather is downright balmy, for example during the “January thaw.”
“The fall is a wonderful time to play golf at the Lake,” says Danna Kahrs, general manager of Sycamore Creek Golf Club in Osage Beach. “In the fall we see a lot of groups of guys from Iowa, where they’re around six weeks ahead of us in terms of cold weather. In mid-November their courses are closed and they still want to play golf, so they jump in their cars and drive down here where the weather is still pretty nice.”
Steve Belton, general manager at Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark, also sees Iowa golfers well into the fall. “Golfers from Iowa come down to the Lake of the Ozarks clear through November,” he says. “They’re in shorts while we’re here wearing coats!”
Great Golf Savings
Besides nice weather and less competition for prime tee times, another reason to consider off-season golf at the Lake is significantly lower fees. For example, at Sycamore Creek, from mid-October to March the winter rate is $30 plus tax including a cart, compared to the in-season rate of $48. At Osage National, the rate drops from $89 plus tax to $35, including a cart. And at Tan-Tar-A Resort and Golf Club, Director of Golf Paul Leahy, PGA, says the resort’s championship course, The Oaks, charges a $75 round in the summer versus $29 in the winter. “The rates are cheap enough that even if you only get in 12 or 13 holes before dark it’s worthwhile,” Leahy says.
Belton adds the Eagle View Grille at Osage National features a spectacular lake panorama and will remain open throughout the off-season this year. “We hope to add to the golfers’ total experience by not shutting down the restaurant,” he says. Golfers also will notice fewer crowds and shorter waits (if any) at other golf-resort restaurants including Plaza III The Kansas City Steakhouse, one of the top 10 steakhouses in the United States, at The Club at Old Kinderhook; the award-winning HK’s at The Lodge of Four Seasons; the cozy Black Bear Lodge at Tan-Tar-A; and several others (see “Golf In Good Taste,” Iowa Golf Fall 2007).
“You know in Missouri it can be really cold one week, then in the 50s the next week,” Kahrs says. “As long as the temperature is 40 or above and there’s no snow or ice on the ground, we will be here.” Adds Leahy, “For most players the limit is about 45 degrees. But I’ve seen guys out here with snow falling. Windshields on the carts help a lot,” he says. “The only day we close is Christmas Day. We’ve had up to 60 players on Thanksgiving and on New Years Day.” Says Belton, “even if the course is unplayable, we’ll be here. And it takes a lot for it to be unplayable.”
Here are more good reasons to consider off-season golf at the Lake of the Ozarks:
• Find some great clearance bargains at end-of-season sales at the pro shops. • Keep your muscles toned and ready for golf next spring. • Maintain and even improve your skills instead of playing catch-up when the season starts again. • Play the top-ranked courses you’ve wanted to try — affordably. • Enjoy a leisurely game at your own pace. • No Missouri humidity or mosquitos!
Bring the Gang
You’ll also find comfortable lodging and outstanding year-round dining at the Lake of the Ozarks, from Ozark barbecue to haute cuisine. And if you bring along your family, there’s plenty for everyone to do while you’re out on the golf course. Kids will love the indoor water park, games arcade and bowling at Tan-Tar-A. And as the holidays approach, Kahrs notes, “a lot of couples come to the Lake so the men can play golf and the women can shop." Osage Beach is the home Missouri’s largest outlet mall, 110-store Premium Outlets Mall, as well as numerous nationally known names, like Target, Marshall’s and more, plus dozens of antique, specialty and souvenir shops.
Two amazing show caves, Bridal Cave and Jacob’s Cave, are open year-round. In addition, you can take a hike or go birdwatching at Ha Ha Tonka State Park or Lake of the Ozarks State Park, enjoy a fun family music show or even visit a luxurious day spa (several feature soothing after-golf treatments). Like to fish? A lot of anglers come to the Lake of the Ozarks in winter specifically to enjoy cold-weather fishing, specifically for crappie, black bass and walleyes.
The Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council’s Golf-A-Round program makes it easy to arrange a golf getaway at the Lake of the Ozarks. With just one call you can reserve the lodging you want plus guaranteed tee times and a shared golf cart at your favorite golf courses — all for one special price that’s less than you’d pay for booking a room and golf separately. The Golf Council has complete information plus a free booklet listing participating lodging facilities and golf courses. Because of the changeable weather in Missouri, it can be difficult to plan far in advance, so it’s best to check the forecast and call ahead. “For most of the fall and winter it’s business as usual, except the golf costs less and it’s a little cooler,” Belton says. “It’s supposed to be a mild winter this year so that opens the door to a lot of golf!”
For more information about off-season golf at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, please contact the Golf Council at (800) 490-8474 or visit www.golfingmissouri.com. Be sure to ask about the convenient and money-saving Golf-A-Round packages. And for more information about lodging, dining, shopping, events, attractions, entertainment and more, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) FUN-LAKE or visit www.funlake.com.
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