The owner of Prairie Club, Paul Schock, became a member at Sand Hills Golf Club before even seeing the golf course in the late 1990s. Soon after, he ventured north to visit the awe-inspiring Snake River Canyon near Valentine to do some fly fishing, where he met Dr. Cleve Trimble, a local who owned the land where Prairie Club sits today. Cleve had always envisioned this property becoming a golf destination and even came up with the name “Prairie Club,” but his deteriorating health kept him from pursuing his dream. When it was sold in 2006, 1,800 acres of Cleve’s land and his vision for the Prairie Club were passed on to Schock. Over 300 miles from the nearest big city, all three golf courses at the resort were built in 2008 or 2009 for a 2010 grand opening.
The Dunes Course is likely the largest golf course in the U.S., boasting an average fairway width of 58 yards and over 100 acres of maintained greens, tees, and fairways (The average for a golf course in the U.S. is roughly 40 acres). A mighty journey is also in the cards at the Dunes Course as the routing takes you on an enormous six-plus-mile loop that traverses more than 600 acres of Nebraska Sandhills. Many of the bunkers have eroded and been transformed by the wind over time, creating a unique look compared to other courses in the region. Steep vertical faces, railroad tie support beams, and huge swaths of sand juxtaposed by tiny pot bunkers are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. In addition to the visual eye candy, the fine fescue grass playing surfaces are phenomenal, providing a firm and speedy medium that helps propel mishits and allows for creative shot making around the golf course. The ever-present wind, exposed holes, and bouncy turf create a seaside-esque experience typically found in Scotland and Ireland. This remote and awe-inspiring terrain that the Dunes Course occupies provides a one-of-a-kind golfing adventure.
{{prairie-dunes-club-gallery-07}}
Take Note…
Homestead. In 1904, when the Kincaid Act was passed allowing expanded sizing of homesteads, the Nebraska Sandhills were occupied by an influx of settlers during their westward expansions. Most notably, John Ralya and his family settled on the land where the Prairie Club sits today, and the remnants of their homestead can be seen along the fifth tee box of the Dunes Course.
Due diligence. Tom Lehman and Chris Brands spent roughly 50 days spread across 13 months walking the endless sandhills in search of their 18 golf holes. One of the first greensites that grabbed their attention was the hollow atop the dunes on the 12th hole. This acted as a linchpin for the design, as both men fell in love with the area and wanted it to be utilized. The desire to include this greensite is seemingly a major reason why the routing traverses such an expansive distance.
{{prairie-dunes-club-gallery-01}}
