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Paul Hundley
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Paul Hundley
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex: Kampen Course
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex: Kampen Course
1300 Cherry Ln
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2019
United States
Telephone
Overview
It's fitting that one of the country's best college courses should be built by college students. Purdue students didn't design the Kampen Course at Purdue University, but they served as essential cost-saving labor for Pete Dye when he redesigned the course in the mid-1990s. When Dye and the kids (who had no previous construction experience) were done with it, the university's old North Course full of rudimentary holes running back and forth became a playground of the architect's postmodern trademarks including expansive waste bunkers studded with grassy moguls, deep pot and trench bunkers, elevated greens angled against hazards, par 3s across water and even a drivable par 4 with mirrored right and left fairways arcing around a large central wasteland. Built on a shoestring, this project had a special meaning for Dye as Purdue was where he first began studying agronomy prior to switching from a successful career selling insurance to golf course design.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked sixth, 2019-'26. Ranked eighth, 2023-'24. Ranked ninth, 2017-'18. Ranked 12th, 2015-'16.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 6th.
America's Greatest College Courses: 14th (2023).
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“The Kampen Course at Birck Boilermaker in West Lafayette, Indiana is an excellent example of a Pete Dye redesign with plenty of challenge via the abundant waste areas, difficult green complexes, strong par 4s, and many risk-reward decisions. Playing at a par 72 and “only” 6,874 yards from the mere mortal Championship tees, the course feels longer due to strong winds amplifying any poorly stuck shots. The slope is a stout 73.8 with a 141 rating so the course plays more difficult than expected based on the length, mainly due to significant waste areas or dead zones, well protected, undulating greens, and enough water hazards in play to snare a slightly off-line or foolishly heroic attempt. The Kampen Course offers a good mix with a nice blend of dogleg right (5) and dogleg left (6) holes, as well as a good collection of mid to long par 4s with the drivable 7th thrown in as a change of pace. The par 5s vary nicely from the short, 494 yard 4th to the beastly 581 yard 6th and longish 10th and 16th. The par 3s are good holes but suffer from a sameness of length with only the 165 yard 2nd playing outside the 170-180 yard range (the 5th is listed at 194 but plays downhill and a club shorter). The 2nd and 17th are very similar holes with water along the entire right side and differ only in length. The course is relatively flat with only 2 truly downhill holes, the par 4 3rd and the par 3 5th. Most holes allow a choice of ball flights from the tee with few obstacles dictating a certain shot. Much of the difficulty at Kampen lies in the second shots (even layups on the par 5s) into the generally well-guarded greens, most of which require flighted approaches to access all possible pin locations. Hazards, waste areas, and bunkers are generally on one side for a specific hole, so an escape option is available but at the cost of a longer second. Although not excessively windy, there is almost always a 10-15 mile per hour breeze that encourages a lower, penetrating ball flight and will significantly influence club selection. Kampen was in very good condition with consistently quick but true greens, firm, fast fairways, and well-sanded bunkers, although an occasional pebble did raise its ugly head. Waste areas were penal but not impossible with the luck of the draw dictating an aggressive or safe play. The course appeared to drain well as it had rained heavily for the past 24 hours but there was no standing water in any location. While bereft of any spectacular scenery or natural beauty, Kampen is an attractive layout utilizing the natural topography. Occasional wildlife and a generally pleasant, unspoiled landscape provide an authentically enjoyable aesthetic experience. There are few break out the camera moments but even less what was he thinking exclamations. Overall, the Kampen Course is a challenging layout that offers a good and fair test for golfers of all ability levels. With quite a few blind or semi-blind shots, it appears quite difficult the first time through. Familiarity will increase playability and the enjoyment of the round as Kampen is a good enough layout that one will want to return for more rounds to compensate for the “if I knew that was there, I would never hit it in this spot” feeling. Wanting to play the course again is always a good indicator of quality and Kampen certainly meets that requirement."
Read More2025
Review
“The Kampen Course at Birck Boilermaker in West Lafayette, Indiana is an excellent example of a Pete Dye redesign with plenty of challenge via the abundant waste areas, difficult green complexes, strong par 4s, and many risk-reward decisions. Playing at a par 72 and “only” 6,874 yards from the mere mortal Championship tees, the course feels longer due to strong winds amplifying any poorly stuck shots. The slope is a stout 73.8 with a 141 rating so the course plays more difficult than expected based on the length, mainly due to significant waste areas or dead zones, well protected, undulating greens, and enough water hazards in play to snare a slightly off-line or foolishly heroic attempt. The Kampen Course offers a good mix with a nice blend of dogleg right (5) and dogleg left (6) holes, as well as a good collection of mid to long par 4s with the drivable 7th thrown in as a change of pace. The par 5s vary nicely from the short, 494 yard 4th to the beastly 581 yard 6th and longish 10th and 16th. The par 3s are good holes but suffer from a sameness of length with only the 165 yard 2nd playing outside the 170-180 yard range (the 5th is listed at 194 but plays downhill and a club shorter). The 2nd and 17th are very similar holes with water along the entire right side and differ only in length. The course is relatively flat with only 2 truly downhill holes, the par 4 3rd and the par 3 5th. Most holes allow a choice of ball flights from the tee with few obstacles dictating a certain shot. Much of the difficulty at Kampen lies in the second shots (even layups on the par 5s) into the generally well-guarded greens, most of which require flighted approaches to access all possible pin locations. Hazards, waste areas, and bunkers are generally on one side for a specific hole, so an escape option is available but at the cost of a longer second. Although not excessively windy, there is almost always a 10-15 mile per hour breeze that encourages a lower, penetrating ball flight and will significantly influence club selection. Kampen was in very good condition with consistently quick but true greens, firm, fast fairways, and well-sanded bunkers, although an occasional pebble did raise its ugly head. Waste areas were penal but not impossible with the luck of the draw dictating an aggressive or safe play. The course appeared to drain well as it had rained heavily for the past 24 hours but there was no standing water in any location. While bereft of any spectacular scenery or natural beauty, Kampen is an attractive layout utilizing the natural topography. Occasional wildlife and a generally pleasant, unspoiled landscape provide an authentically enjoyable aesthetic experience. There are few break out the camera moments but even less what was he thinking exclamations."
Read More2025
Review
“An original Pete Dye design that is the more difficult of the two courses at Birck Boilermaker."
Read More2024
Review
“Fun and challenging Pete Dye course, similar to Whistling Straights in many ways. While there also play the Ackermann-Allen course, also by Dye, and an example of his ability to design outstanding courses with very different styles."
Read More2023
Review
“One of two Purdue University courses that is long and challenging even for the best players."
Read More2023
Review
“Good challenge"
Read More2022
Review
“Great variety of holes, second shot strategy is a must. Greens in great shape."
Read More2022
Review
“Many dominant Dye design features w/ bunkering, green complexes, and routing tendencies....some unique Dye features such as the horseshoe par five 6th and double fairway 7th. There are a few redundant holes such as 2 & 17, as well as many long par 4's that favor a tee shot to the right center of the fairway. Presents a good challenge to players of all abilities that select the correct tees. Big and visible cart paths on most holes. Condition suffers a bit w/ the amount of rock in the sandy waste areas present on almost every hole, otherwise was conditioned nicely. The sandy waste area tends to be on one side of the fairway or the other so it gives the player an option to be brave w/ reward or play safe w/ a more difficult path to the green on many holes. Great finishing hole that provides challenge, options, and one of the more difficult green complexes on the property."
Read More2022
Review
“The Kampen Course is part of the Purdue University golf complex. It is a gem built by Pete Dye. It has a wonderful mix of holes. There is water, sloping greens, volcano bunkers, tall grass, and plenty of risk reward holes. This is one of my favorite Dye designs. The conditions are spectacular with fast, firm greens and fairways. It is hard to believe you are playing on college campus."
Read More2020
Review
“A tough one for sure, but generally playable for most with limited forced carries. Not particularly scenic, however."
Read More2018
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