GrayBull Club

GrayBull Club emerged from Nebraska's legendary Sandhills in August 2024, marking David McLay Kidd's inaugural design in the state and Dormie Network's first ground-up construction project.

Located 13km (8 miles) north of Maxwell on 1,800 acres of pristine dune terrain, the course represents a £15 million investment in America's premier inland links landscape, where hundreds of feet of sandy soil beneath fertile organic matter create conditions identical to Scotland's finest coastal venues.

Why Play GrayBull Club?

Experience David McLay Kidd's most recent masterwork across Nebraska's largest dune formations in the Western Hemisphere. GrayBull offers the rare combination of world-class links golf architecture with complete privacy and luxury accommodation in America's heartland.

History of GrayBull Club

The Dormie Network's seventh property began in 2021 when President Zach Peed and Kidd collaborated on site selection across western Nebraska. After rejecting initial parcels south of the North Platte River, they discovered the current location with its perfect "Goldilocks" topography—neither too flat nor too steep. Permits were filed with Lincoln County in March 2022, with ground broken in June 2022 under construction manager Justin Smith.

The project faced significant challenges during development. On 26th February 2024, the Betty's Way Fire swept across western Nebraska, directly threatening the unfinished course. The installation's irrigation system served as an effective firebreak, protecting the layout from wildfire damage whilst construction continued on schedule.

The course opened for play in August 2024, designed by Kidd to maximise the 1,800-acre site's potential. Rather than preserving space for future development, the routing utilises the entire property in a clockwise journey through natural valleys and gaps between dunes. The course is situated on 600 acres of land in the Nebraska Sandhills, creating what many consider among Kidd's finest works.

Course Layout & Playing Experience

GrayBull measures 7,181 yards from the championship tees across four sets of tees, with a par of 72, a course rating of 74.2, and a slope of 128. The routing moves in a broad clockwise flow with gentle cascading movements and minimal switchbacks, utilising wide fescue fairways and bentgrass greens employing the older Bent 007 strain.

The layout showcases Kidd's mastery of strategic options, with multiple playing angles on virtually every hole. The drivable par-4 fifth and 16th holes reward aggressive lines in favourable winds, whilst the 459-yard ninth features a large bunker hiding much of the fairway's left side. The swerving sixth operates as an Alps-style hole with an amphitheatre green tucked behind dunes requiring semi-blind approaches.

Green complexes flow directly into the following tee boxes, creating unbroken ribbons of maintained turf that allow walking golfers to traverse the course without stepping on native grass. This design accommodates Dormie Network members who primarily use golf carts whilst maintaining the walking experience integral to links golf. The property sits at 3,000 feet with expansive views across Sandhills terrain.

Notable Architectural Features

The finishing holes exemplify Kidd's approach to the Sandhills terrain. The 472-yard par-4 18th returns players to the elevated clubhouse with views across the rolling landscape.

Strategic bunkering throughout differs from other Sandhills courses by employing a slightly more polished aesthetic whilst respecting the natural blowout patterns created by prevailing winds.

Kidd mapped hundreds of potential holes across the site before finalising the current routing, echoing Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw's approach at nearby Sand Hills Golf Club, where they identified 130 possible holes. The selected 18 represent the optimal combination of variety in length, wind direction, and terrain whilst maintaining seamless connections across the vast property.

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Travel & Planning

Regional Golf Context

Within 30km (19 miles): Maxwell offers limited additional golf options, positioning GrayBull as the primary destination in the immediate area.

73km (45 miles) northwest: Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen represents America's most celebrated modern course, designed by Coore & Crenshaw in 1995. The drive requires approximately 90 minutes through spectacular Sandhills scenery.

130km+ (80+ miles): Dismal River Golf Club near Mullen features both Jack Nicklaus's White Course (2006) and Tom Doak's Red Course (2013). The Prairie Club near Valentine offers multiple layouts, including Tom Lehman's Dunes Course, requiring 2+ hours driving time.

Accommodation strategy centres on GrayBull's 60 on-site beds across 15 cottages, eliminating the need for external lodging during multi-day visits. The limited regional accommodation makes GrayBull's stay-and-play model essential for golf holidays in this remote landscape.

Practical Planning

GrayBull operates exclusively for Dormie Network members and their guests, requiring sponsorship for non-members. The all-inclusive model covers accommodation, meals, and golf, with farm-to-course cuisine highlighting Nebraska's agricultural heritage. Advanced booking is essential due to limited capacity and growing demand since opening.

The course maintains firm-and-fast conditions typical of Sandhills golf, with bentgrass greens and fescue fairways providing authentic links playing characteristics.

Wind direction significantly impacts daily playing conditions, making club selection and strategy crucial elements of the experience.

Transport Information ✈️

North Platte Regional Airport (LBF): 22km (14 miles), approximately 25 minutes driving via Highway 30 and local roads. Major car rental facilities with direct Interstate 80 access. Daily United Airlines service operated by SkyWest to Denver International Airport for connections.

Denver International Airport (DEN): 450km (280 miles) for major international connections, approximately 4.5 hours driving via Interstate 76 and Interstate 80.

Kearney Regional Airport (EAR): 160km (100 miles) for alternative regional access.

Private Aviation: North Platte Regional Airport accommodates private aircraft with full services.

Ground Transport: Primary access via Interstate 80 to North Platte, then Highway 30 west to Maxwell, with final approach north on County Road.

Seasonal Timing

Spring (April-May): Course opening varies with weather conditions. Cooler temperatures and variable winds create challenging playing conditions as turf emerges from dormancy.

Summer (June-August): Peak playing season with firm, fast conditions and prevailing winds. Advanced booking is essential during prime holiday periods.

Autumn (September-October): Ideal shoulder season with stable weather and mature course conditions. Spectacular prairie grass colours complement the golfing experience.

Winter (November-March): Course closed during Nebraska's harsh winter months, with snow cover and freezing temperatures making play impossible.

GrayBull Club: The Verdict

GrayBull Club achieves Kidd's vision of combining the finest attributes of private clubs like Sand Hills and Nanea with the destination appeal of Bandon Dunes.

The course utilises Nebraska's extraordinary dune terrain to create strategic golf requiring every club and shot shape whilst maintaining the firm, fast conditions that define authentic links play.

As the newest addition to the Sandhills' legendary golf landscape, GrayBull establishes itself as a worthy companion to the region's established masterpieces.