The Donald Ross Course at French Lick - Newly Restored to its Original Design.

Test your game on the newly restored Donald Ross Course at French Lick. Originally 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. Ross is revered for his links-type courses with deep green-side bunkers and severely undulating greens. The course has experienced an incredible $4.6 million transformation in collaboration with the Donald Ross Society.

Course Restoration Highlights:

• The Return of 35 Original Bunkers
  All featuring the Ross trademark flat bottoms and deep, gnarly faces.
• Greens Expansion to their Original Shapes
  Size has increase 25% - 30% and return them to their vintage square or rectangular shapes.
• The Addition of Medal Tees 
  The course now plays to 7,000 yards. The new length coupled with the original Par 70 will test even the game’s best players.
  • Ross Tees - 6,500 Yards
  • Regulation Tees - 6,000 Yards
  • Forward Tees - 5,400 Yards
• Additional Native Area
  Doubling of the current native area to 60 acres, increasing the penalty for an errant shot.
• New 7-foot Wide cart Paths & Extensive Irrigation System
  View the Donald Ross Course Video

Donald Ross Facts
Over a career that lasted from the early 1900’s to the late 1940’s, no other golf course architect is credited with more superb designs, or is more revered, than Donald J. Ross. Born the son of a carpenter in Dornoch, Scotland in 1872, Mr. Ross became a fine golfer and instructor, and learned the art of greenskeeping and clubmaking from legendary Old Tom Morris in St. Andrews. His early instructional successes landed him in New England and then at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina where he would eventually design, and rebuild, four courses at Pinehurst including the world famous #2 course.

It was the beginning of a long and illustrious career noted for a daring design marked by steep slopes and undulating greens, which challenged even the best championship caliber players.

As a testament to his architectural brilliance, even today, Donald Ross course designs account for 11 of Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses in the United States. Our historic restoration, led by noted golf architect Lee Schmidt, and in collaboration with The Donald Ross Society, showcases Mr. Ross’ brilliant architecture, returning The Donald Ross Course at French Lick to national prominence

US OPEN QUALIFIER
MAY 12, 2008

U.S. OPEN QUALIFIER SCHEDULED AT THE DONALD ROSS COURSE AT FRENCH LICK.

Qualifying for the 2008 U.S. Open Championship will be held at The Donald Ross Course at French Lick on May 12. It is one of approximately 50 18-hole local qualifiers for the U.S. Open Championship that will be played June 9-15 at Torrey Pines Golf Course, San Diego, CA. Entries for the 2008 U.S. Open Championship must be received by the United States Golf Association by April 25.   The cost is $125 to enter.

To obtain an entry application, call the USGA at (908) 234-2300 or enter online at www.usga.org. Entrants must have a Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4.   Entrants must select one of approximately 50 local qualifying sites and one of the 14 sectional qualifying sites.Eighteen-hole local qualifiers will be held nationwide from May 9-21, with the top finishers advancing to sectional qualifying at 14 sites on June 2. Approximately 90 total spots will be awarded to fill the championship field of 156 players.  The championship format will be four rounds of stroke play.

The U.S. Open is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA.

Ladies Golf Academy at French Lick
May 18-20 and June 22-24

The Ladies Golf Academy at French Lick will be one of the premier ladies golf instruction programs in the country. The academy will feature a number of LPGA instructors lead by Susanne Noblett, the Midwest LPGA Teacher of the Year, and one of the leading LPGA teaching instructors in the Country. The three-day academy, offered May 18-20 and June 22-24, will offer ladies of all skill levels a wonderful opportunity to receive quality instruction in a fun and un-intimidating atmosphere lead by top female LPGA and PGA teaching professionals. In addition to Suzanne, other instructors include former LPGA touring professionals Martha Faulconer and Karen Monaldi, along with top LPFA teaching professionals Libby Pancake, Jeri Reid and Mamie Wood.

The three-day ladies only golf academy will be limited to 20 students per school with a 4:1 student/ LPGA teacher ratio. All facets of the game from the mental side, to putting, chipping, pitching, bunker play, irons, and woods, will be covered. 

Package prices for the Ladies Golf Academy at French Lick range from $1,406.99 at French Lick Springs to $1,616.99 at West Baden. Packages include three nights individual lodging, meals, golf instruction, golf, and a martini party. Prices are per person, not including taxes, resort fees, or gratuities.