The Trophy Club, Lebanon, Indiana - An Links-Style Golf Course That's Been Rated the #1 Public Course in the State

The Trophy Club is a links-style course that features Bent grass fairways, 100 finely sculpted sand bunkers, as well as numerous ponds, lakes and creeks, along with tall, native Blue grass and Fescue grasses that outline the manicured playing surfaces. Water hazards come into play on 8 of the 18 holes, and the greens tend to be undulating and large. Built to USGA specifications, the greens are often raised and surrounded by bunkers, mounds, collection areas and swales.

The par-72 course plays to a daunting 7,317 from the back tees, with a USGA rating of 75.3 and a slope rating of 138. The course is a Tim Liddy design that opened in 1998 and covers 247 acres. The layout plays through rolling terrain and Prairie Creek winds throughout the facility. Even though the course features 100 bunkers, with a few notable exceptions, they are not deep and tend to be more of a nuisance rather than a penalty to most golfers. The fairways also tend to be wide at 60 yards and fairly forgiving.

The course has received a number of accolades, including being ranking the #1 Public Golf Course in Indiana by Golf Digest 2007-2008. The magazine also gave The Trophy Club a 4? -star rating and ranked it the 4th-best New Public Course in America when it opened. The course has also hosted the 2001 Indiana PGA Senior Championship, the 1999 Indianapolis Open and the 1999 Indiana PGA Senior Open, to name a few.

The course has been called a "gem,'' but, in spite of all the honors and accolades, it still tends to fly somewhat under the radar for many golfers. It's been reported that golfers can pay under $50 to play the course on most days and times.

Some of the more noteworthy holes include the par-4 No. 1, which plays to a lengthy 483 yards. The hole features two deep bunkers - which will have golfers thinking of British Open courses, should they happen to be at the bottom of these walled traps - that guard the green.

Another noteworthy hole is No. 13, another lengthy par-4 at 481 yards and the #2-handicap hole on the course. This hole features a narrow entry to the green, as well as bunkers and a creek that guards the right and rear of the green.

The Trophy Club also features practice facilities that include a large, targeted grass range, as well as a short-game area and practice green. Golf instruction is also available, and the club features a clubhouse with a nicely stocked Pro Shop. The Hogan Grill and Bar can also be found in the clubhouse, and serves hot and cold sandwiches and beverages.

For outings and events, the clubhouse Pavilion Room can accommodate up to 180 people.