The Prairie Club: Pines Course
Valentine, NE • Public
Stephen Szurlej
Overview
Not as pure a Nebraska sandhills experience as sister Dunes Course, which is ranked No. 41 on our 100 Greatest Public list, the Pines Course has just 11 holes playing in the tumbling prairie topography. It repeatedly touches the edge of a deep canyon formed by the Snake River. Those seven holes (6 & 7, 10 & 11 and 16 through 18) are lined with tall pines and cedars and bring to mind a collection of holes in the Colorado Rockies. For pure golfing variety, Prairie Club rivals even Bandon Dunes.
About
Awards
100 Greatest Public: Ranked from 2015-'24.
Highest ranking: No. 75, 2015-'16.
Previous ranking: 97th.
Current ranking: 99th.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 10 since 2013.
Current ranking: Ninth.
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
“(Pines) – what a neat golf course with amazing green complexes and a nice variety of holes. Unlike the (Dunes) course on property this had an excellent mix of holes near the Snake River that were tree lined and interesting and holes in the dune-like setting. The holes I really liked included the 5th that was a 90-degree dog left right in the pines with the driver over a blowout area of sand. The 7th at 616 yards was cut through the Pines and went slight up and to the right. This was one of five par 5’s on this par 73 course. The finishing three holes were solid and provided a stern challenge. The 16th at 460 yards, the 17th at 183 slightly downhill that played over a ravine and the 18th that was 595 yards that featured a split fairway."
Read More2024
Review
“Nebraska Sand Hills golf with 46 holes of golf, the Dunes designed by Tom Lehman and Chris Brands, the Pines designed by Graham Marsh and the 10 hole par three Horse Course designed by Gil Hanse and Geoff Shackelford. Multiple sets of tees on every hole makes this a playable course for every level of golfer. Fairways are firm and fast, greens roll purely, hold shots and generally roll around 10.5-11.5. Food and Lodging on site. Membership club but open to public play as well. Valentine airport 17 miles away for private planes. Omaha, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Lincoln and North Platte all within 5 1/2 hours drive."
Read More2023
Review
“Although found in the desert, this course resembles one that plays in a wooded more rolling terrain of the eastern courses. Good course with bunks and stream as strategic challenges."
Read More2023
Review
“Nice transition from various types of terrain. You have a plainsy look to a pines creek look. I thought it was the best course on the property."
Read More2021
Review
“Not as fun or as difficult as the dunes course but a good course."
Read More2021
Review
“Routing of holes among trees of local pine forest near Snake River Canyon provides pleasant contrast to open holes on Dunes Course, which is better."
Read More2021
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