FRENCH LICK – The Donald Ross Golf Course at the French Lick Resort was named one of the 2024 Top Historic Holets of America’s Most Historic Golf Courses.
It was the only Indiana golf course to make the list.
Constructed in 1917 by world-renowned architect Donald Ross, the legendary course has been home to many regional and national tournaments, including the 1924 PGA Championship, won by Walter Hagen. The resort has two other golf courses that Pete Dye and Tom Bendelow designed.
Celebrities who have played at the golf course include singer Bing Crosby, comedian Bob Hope, business magnate Howard Hughes, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Indianapolis Colts great Peyton Manning.
The release also noted French Lick native and NBA great Larry Bird worked and played on the French Lick golf course in his youth.
The French Lick Resort encompasses two historic hotels, the French Lick Springs Hotel, built in 1845, and the West Baden Springs Hotel, built in 1902. French Lick Springs Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2000. West Baden Springs Hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 1987.
French Lick Resort’s newest golf course, Sand Creek, which will open this fall, offers a new way to enjoy the game. This short course, located adjacent to the Valley Links course and driving range, features nine holes ranging between 35 and 90 yards, and golfers can complete a round in about 75 minutes. Look for signature features from our championship Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses on the new Sand Creek layout, including miniature Dye volcano bunkers and Ross’ challenging contoured greens. This course is perfect for golfers of all levels — beginners, families, corporate groups, and seasoned golfers.
The greens fee includes clubs and balls, which guests may use if they wish.
The new course derives its name from the freshwater stream that winds through it, and as French Lick Resort CEO Chuck Franz explains a few reasons behind integrating another nine holes into the resort golf experience. One is to satisfy a significant itch for golf as the resort continues re-upping record numbers of rounds at Pete Dye, Donald Ross, and Valley Links in the last few years. Secondly, it revives a piece of French Lick’s past. A short course existed at the resort in the early
1900s.
