By Jason Bruno
Best known as the hometown of basketball legend Larry Bird, French Lick, Indiana is a charming mid-western town that is also the location of a world class golf resort destination – aptly named French Lick Resort. The resort features two of the most challenging tracks in the region – a classic 1917 Donald Ross layout and Pete Dye’s 2009 modern marvel.
Although the two famous architects share the marquis, each design and parcel of land is entirely unlike the other. The Ross course that opened in 1917, rolls along the countryside with an equal amount of elevation and flatlands within the routing, at a time when courses were shaped largely done by mothernature and manual labor. The Dye sits on a piece of property that might have been thought to be too extreme for golf back in the day, in fact Pete Dye originally took that opinion, but decided to take on the challenge – moving 2.5 million cubic yards of dirt with modern earth moving equipment, completing the work some ninety-two years after Donald Ross’ creation opened.
According the resort; Pete Dye visited the property in late 2005, walked the grounds of Mt. Airie and initially said building a course here was a no-go, due to the severity of the slopes and rugged terrain. But less than 24 hours later, Dye scheduled a second visit. He changed his mind and was determined to “build the course whether they want me to or not.” Additional visits followed, and during breakfast at a local restaurant, Dye sketched the only drawing of the course on a paper napkin — the start of one of the greatest modern courses in the world.
Dye described his design: “Normally, I make the fairways wide. What I did out here, the first time I’ve ever done it . . . kept the fairways pretty narrow and have them surrounded by turf-type fescue. The idea being that this fescue could be cut short enough that Joe Q. Public can play out of it fairly easily,” he explained.
The Hoosier native became an Octogenarian while taking on perhaps his most challenging project of his career, but even at age 80, Pete Dye had the passion to build things that no other architect dare take on. As it turns out, Dye successfully created the dramatic stage he set to . . . in fact it’s one of the toughest tests in American golf, playing well over 8,000 yards from the back tees, a true bully. The mountainous routing may be known for it’s brawny length, and resistance to scoring . . . but it’s Dye’s unconventional design concepts and extreme land forms that will stimulate, frustrate, challenge and create doubt in every golfers mind. The gnarled and rumpled green surrounds force creativity, his miniscule pot bunkers make you feel like you’re trapped in a narrow ditch that’s oddle shaped like a cone. All of these pitfalls are elements thoughtfully placed to distract you from your objective. As the layout provides drama, hurdles and punishment, it also delivers amazing 360 degree hilltop views that go on for miles . . . and remind you that you’re playing a game and the setting is beautiful (regardless of the havoc incurred on the scorecard).
The 1917 Donald Ross course is a contrast in styles from it’s modern day sibling, but the Ross layout still provides dramatic land forms and significant elevation change in certain portions of the meadowlike landscape, challenging you to create shots into Ross’ back to front putting surfaces. The routing takes you on a wild journey over ridges and hollows and deep fescue along the perimeter of most holes. The Ross offers a traditional test with some nuance, and may require a bit more strategy, as where the Dye provides a relentless travail of ball striking and mental acuity.
Resort & Other Activities
There’s lots to do at the resort, the amenities and other activities are all top shelf experiences: Outdoor activities include: Golf, Sporting Ranges, Horse Stables, Bike Rental, Pool, Pickleball, Hiking/Walking Trails, Rail Trolley, East Park and Bird Watching. Indoor activities include: Yoga, Bowling Alley, Arcade, Walking Tours, Indoor Pools, Fitness Center.
For more information visit: https://www.frenchlick.com
