Get in the swing of things: A guide to public golf courses in Southeast Missouri

Bent Creek Golf Course - Jackson

Mother nature paved the way of natural beauty for Bent Creek Golf Course. The 18-hole, championship-designed course is located outside of Jackson. It is comprised of a landscape of matured trees, lakes, rolling hills and a creek running throughout the course.

The course opened in 1989 and was designed by Gary Kern to highlight challenges that the natural landscape could offer the course. Owner and general manager Mike Litz said since then, the natural maturation of the landscape has really developed the course over time.

The switch from Bermuda grass to Zoysia grass occurred seven to eight years ago, and Litz said the hardy Zoysia grass is the perfect fit for the climate in Southeast Missouri.

The signature hole, hole five, has rolling hills, water to the left and trees lining the right side, offering everything a golfer would want in a hole, Litz says.

Litz's personal favorite holes are hole 11 because its entire length runs alongside a creek and hole 17 due to the fact that golfers must hit their last shot over the creek.

The daily rates for Bent Creek for 18-holes are $42 for weekdays and $49 for weekends. The rates for nine holes are $25 on weekdays and $30 on weekends. Discounted rates are available in winter months. For a full list of special rates, visit www.bentcreekgc.com or contact Bent Creek at 573-243-6060.

Jaycee Municipal Golf Course -- Cape Girardeau

An established course that offers affordable prices makes the Jaycee Municipal Golf Course stand apart from other courses in the area, says course manager Jared Tanz.

The Jaycee's first opened the course in the late 1970s in Cape Girardeau as a nine-hole and later added another nine holes, creating the current 18-hole course. In the late 1990s, the city acquired ownership of the course from the Jaycees.

From May 2009 to May 2010, the course shut down for renovations. Some of the changes to the course included a new irrigation route, switching from Bermuda to Bent grass greens and a total re-route of holes 11 through 15.

Tanz said the new Bent grass greens have improved lines and better hold balls in place.

A popular hole on the course, Tanz said, is hole three, par three. It is especially nice in the spring because of the various flowering trees that surround it.

The green fees of Jaycee Municipal are $16 on a weekday and $18 on the weekend or a holiday. Carts are available for rental for $6 for nine holes and $12 for 18 holes. Golf club rentals are also available for $6 a bag. For more information, contact Jaycee Municipal at 573-334-2031.

Ste. Genevieve Golf Club -- Ste. Genevieve

The pine tree-lined fairways at Ste. Genevieve Golf Club offer a player-friendly course to golfers in the area, said Dale Kure, general manager of the course.

It first opened in 1959 as a nine-hole course with the current back nine holes. In 1998, the front nine holes were added.

The course is a par-72 with four sets of tees. The forward red tees include more than 5,040 yards of play and the back blue tees offer 6,396 yards of play. Both the tee boxes and fairways are Bermuda grass and the greens are Bent grass.

Within the past two years, new tee boxes were built, which added yardage to some of the holes. Also, in 2005, a new clubhouse was built for the course.

Kure said a more difficult hole on the course is hole three. At 438 yards, par-four, he said it is difficult to reach the green in two shots. Also, hole eight, he said, is another difficult one. At 353 yards, par-four with a green on a downhill slope, players sometimes face difficulties keeping the ball close to the hole depending on pin position.

Separate walking and riding green fees include, Monday through Thursday $8.75 for walking nine holes and $15 for riding. Friday through Sunday and holiday fees include $13.25 for walking nine holes and $20 for riding. Other amenities include a full-service restaurant and bar clubhouse. For a full list of special rates, upcoming tournaments and further information, contact Ste. Genevieve Golf Club at 573-883-2949.

Crowley's Ridge Golf Course -- Bloomfield

A relaxed, no collar required atmosphere is one factor that attracts players to the Crowley's Ridge Golf Course in Bloomfield, Mo., said course board member Travis Westbrook.

The nine-hole course, at the Crowley's Ridge Recreation Center features 2,943 yards for the longest tees for a par of 35.

The course was founded in 1965. Westbrook said it is a very challenging course that consists of several hills and a few blind shots into greens. It is comprised of Bermuda greens and is a walking-friendly course.

A more difficult hole on the course, Westbrook said, is hole nine, which requires two good, long shots just to hope for par. The second shot goes over a large pond with the out-of-bounds line resting on the right side of the green.

The signature hole, hole seven, is at the back of the green facing the clubhouse, with a view of the white bricks that spell out CRRC.

The green fees for Crowley's Ridge include $15 for 18 holes. Cart rentals are available for $16 for 18 holes. Other amenities include a swimming pool and a dining room. For more information, contact Crowley's Ridge at 573-568-4698.

Hidden Trails Golf Course -- Dexter

Hidden Trails, an 18-hole semi-private course, in Dexter, Mo., features 6,692 yards of rolling typography for members and visitors to enjoy.

General manager John Barge said the 72-par course is relatively easy to walk and has no blind approach shots to the greens.

There are four sets of tee boxes to begin play at Hidden Trails. Their blue championship tees measure 6,702 yards, white regular course is 6,389 yards, a senior set of 5,707 yards and a ladies and super senior tee is 5,410 yards.

Hidden Trails was built in 1974. Within the past three years they have rebuilt all of their greens using a hybrid Mini-Verde Bermuda grass.

Barge said the contours of the greens at Hidden Trails helps to create putting challenges for their players.

The signature hole, he said, is the par-three hole 14. It is 170 yards over a valley to a slightly elevated green.

Hidden Trails is open Tuesday through Sunday. The nine-hole course fee is $20 plus tax and the green fee, which includes a cart, is $36 plus tax. For more information or to reserve a starting time, contact Hidden Trails Golf Course at 573-624-3638.

Perryville Golf Course -- Perryville

Fair prices, no tee times, a quick play and friendly staff is what general manager David Pierce said attracts golfers to explore the 18-hole Perryville Golf Course.

The course at the Perryville Country Club facility is open to the public. It features 2,782 yards of golf from the longest tees of a par 35.

It was established in 1927, and since then, Pierce said the course, which is made up of Zoysia fairways and Bent greens, has been well maintained and is in very good condition.

He said the traditional nine-hole course, same fairways played twice, with small greens that are in nice condition, makes the course unique and different from others in the area.

The easiest hole on the course, Pierce said, is hole three/12, a dogleg par four. He said it is easy to cut the corner on the hole and has a larger green than the other holes.

A popular, favorite hole on the course with many golfers, he said, is hole nine/18, a par three, because it is a more difficult green to putt and makes for a challenge. He also said a least favorite hole is four/13, an up-hill par four, that has a severe three-tier green that is extremely difficult to putt.

The signature hole is hole eight/17, par three, which has a large cave that Pierce said is very much in play while playing this hole.

The 18-hole green fees are $19. Rental cart fees are $10. For more information contact Perryville Golf Course at 573-547-8036.

Private courses

Dalhousie Golf Club

* Private non-equity

* Cape Girardeau

* 18-hole course

* Ranked No. 1 course in Missouri in Golf Digest "Best in State" 2007-2010

* Features Dalhousie Manor -- two main dining rooms, a private dining room and a pub.

* For membership information, contact Dalhousie at

www.dalhousiegolfclub.com or 573-225-0348

Cape Girardeau Country Club

* Private equity

* 18-hole course

* Features a clubhouse with dining area and swimming pool

* For membership information, contact CGCC at www.cggolfclub.com or 573-335-8251

Kimbeland Country Club

* Private non-equity

* Jackson

* 18-hole course

* Features a clubhouse with dining area and swimming pool

* For membership information, contact Kimbeland at www.kimbelandcountryclub.com or 573-243-3923