Built by Dan Proctor and Dave Axland, two of the crew that constructed Sand Hills for Coore & Crenshaw in the mid-1990s, the course at Bayside Golf Club overlooks McConnaghy Lake, with views of its sparkling waters found on almost every hole. Truly showcasing the beautiful western Nebraska landscape, this is a family-owned facility that’s marketed by the club as “the home of extreme golf!”
Situated on rugged terrain not far south of where the Oregon Trail once cut through Nebraska, the 18-hole layout occupies a rugged and unforgiving environment that has hardly changed since the days when fur traders and trappers passed through in the early 19th century. The first nine opened for play in 1999, followed a couple of years later by another nine holes.
The short 17th (measuring only 138 yards from the back markers), is undoubtedly the signature hole on the course, featuring a ragged-edged bunker in the middle of an elongated, heavily-contoured putting surface. Expect a little delay on the tee box here as golfers take the opportunity to mess about with a few putts from different positions around the green before heading to the last tee.
