MONKEY ISLAND, Okla – Twenty years ago, if you went to play a par-3 course, you probably weren’t getting that excited about your round. Most of them weren’t very interesting or in good shape. That’s been changing in a big way in recent years.
What we’re dawning on now perhaps is the golden age of short courses. I’ve had a chance to play some really good ones like Bandon Preserve at Bandon Dunes, The Cradle at Pinehurst, Mountain Shadows in Arizona, The Chain at Streamsong in Florida, Threetops at Treetops in Northern Michigan, and Top of the Rock at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri, just to name a few.
But there’s one that most American golfers have never heard of, and it really doesn’t take a back seat to any of them. In fact, I would say it’s the hardest par 3 course I’ve ever played, and it’s definitely one of the best I’ve ever experienced.
I’m talking about The Battlefield at Shangri-La Resort in northeast Oklahoma. I had a chance to check it out recently, and I was fortunate that my game was on that day because it wasn’t easy. This incredibly conditioned course has slopey, fast greens, plenty of obstacles, and 18 holes that vary in length from 114 yards to 246 yards from the back set of tees. The attention to detail on this course, which combined with the clubhouse cost more than $14 million, is akin to what you’d see on the top championship venues in the United States.
But it isn’t called The Battlefield just because it’s difficult. The course is a tribute to local soldiers who served in World War II. Each hole is named for a fallen hero from Oklahoma. The 15th, for example, honors Maj. Kenneth Bailey, who perished in 1942. Maybe we’re distantly related, maybe not.
Regardless, it’s pretty cool to play golf and memorialize those fallen heroes.
The theme falls in line with owner Eddie Gibbs’ passion for veterans and specifically, World War II history. Not only did he transform this once-rundown resort after he bought the property in 2010, but when he built The Battlefield, he also added Liberty Memorial Park right next to the course.
There you will find life-size replica of the statue of the Marines raising the American Flag at Iwo Jima, as well as a P-51 Mustang fighter, a World War II ambulance, a Sherman tank, armored cars, a Higgins Boat, Duck Boat, and a memorial that honors the Native American Code Talkers, many of which, of course, were from Oklahoma.
Inside The Battlefield’s spectacular clubhouse, there is more World War II memorabilia, photos and other artwork. So playing here has more meaning than it does at most golf courses.
But back to golf. Designed by Tom Clark and Kevin Atkinson, the course is laid out over 80 acres of rugged terrain with more than 100 feet of elevation changes. As you wind through the natural feel of creeks and falls, exposed rock outcroppings and railroad ties hold the land together. Fortunately, there are five sets of tees, so players can choose the more manageable and shorter tee options with more direct access from tee to green. Or they can opt to play from the tips that bring the beautiful and well-placed bunkers, creeks, and dramatic greens complex features into play.
On the scorecard, there’s also a feature I’ve never seen before: At the top are club suggestions. For example, above the first hole, which is 148 yards from the back tee and just 80 from the front, the scorecard lists 8I (for 8-iron). The idea is to pick the tee where you would hit no more than an 8-iron to reach the green. On the 246-yard 16th that runs left of a lake with lots of bunkering, the club listed is a hybrid. So even if you can reach the green with a driver, the back tee is probably not for you.
Most recently, Golfweek named The Battlefield to its list of Best Top 25 public-access short, par-3, and non-traditional courses. Golfweek has The Battlefield at no. 13, tied with The Baths at Blackwolf Run at Kohler Resorts in Wisconsin. I’m not sure that’s high enough, but the list of courses is impressive, so it’s obviously pretty subjective. (Bandon Preserve is no. 1 on the list, followed by The Sandbox.)
Earlier this year, The Battlefield received official USGA course and slope ratings, which is something the USGA just started doing for some short courses. The Battlefield, a par-54 that plays 2,951 yards from the back tees, has a course rating of 57.1 and slope rating of 103. Even from the front tees it’s 51.2/84.
“The Battlefield is an incredible golfing experience, probably the most fun and engaging 3,000-yard course in the country, so it’s a privilege to have Golfweek raters recognize that,” said Ryan Snyder, PGA Director of Golf for Shangri-La Resort.
“We’re excited that more and more golfers are discovering the magic – and incredible quality – of the Battlefield in addition to the excellent 27 championship holes at Shangri-La. This lakefront resort is probably one of the most unexpected and underrated golf destinations in the country and as more people come to play here, expect us to be in conversation on a more national scale.”
While The Battlefield is unique and spectacular and reason enough to visit this resort, it’s just one of many attractions there.
You might not be surprised to know that there’s a pretty great full-length course, too. In fact, there are 27 holes, and they are super interesting and enjoyable.
Each nine is different, with many of the holes working their way around Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees, which is the hub for boating, fishing, and all sorts of fun activities.
Designed by Donald Sechrest, and first opened in 1973, the Legends Nine is one that garners much of the conservation in large part because it includes the “Mickey Mantle hole.” It’s the closing hole, a par- 5 that includes two greens separated by a large waterfall.
Mantle, of course, is the Hall of Fame Yankee from Oklahoma, who hosted his own charity tournament there and once recorded an albatross on the hole named for him.
As for the greens, the island green on the right shortens the hole considerably, so good players will try to hit in two, while the left green makes it a true “three-shotter” for most players. In any event, one of the more popular ways to determine which green to play is for the player who has honors to call it on the tee. It’s a great match-play ploy as well.
This 27-hole course, which was modified and greatly improved since Gibbs bought the resort, also has a majestic 13,000-square-foot clubhouse (built in 2011), where you can experience some of the best cuisine at the resort. We had some incredible steaks and seafood there.
Of course, there’s much to love about Shangri-La beyond golf.
For anyone booking a stay and play, there’s the Shangri-La Resort Hotel, which opened seven years ago. Located near the main golf course and next to the marina, the 119-room hotel features a spa, indoor and outdoor pool with splash pad, and six restaurants.
Across from the marina and hotel is The Anchor ($12 million), a 6.5-acre entertainment facility that offers lots of activities, including golf and sports simulators, tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court and even a mini Fenway wiffle ball park.
There’s so much to do here, but honestly, I could just play The Battlefield over and over again. It’s that good.
