First off, there is nothing new at Wild Horse. It is still the same great course. Oh, perhaps a badly needed rainy fall has the course playing at slightly less than the extreme firm and fast I have seen other fall seasons, there. But, the fairways were as healthy as they could be, and the dwarf bluegrass is for my money the finest surface from which to strike your shots that I have found anywhere. Wow, lofted approaches to the green actually left some 1/16 inch ball marks that actually required a slight repair
I can assure you all that most people would kill for the conditions I found this fall at Wild Horse, even for one week a year at most courses!
But, I found something else this trip that I highly recommend. For us travellers that might sometimes yearn for a change of pace from the excellent beef one finds at Shores in Brady (10 miles), or the Depot in North Platte (35 miles)... there is now an excellent ITALIAN restaurant!!!
It is "Bella Italia" in Cozad, (10miles east on hwy 30)
The restaurant is run by an Egyptian master chef that trained in northern Italy and worked at a number of fine Italian restaurants in New York area. The owner/chef and his dining room manager/head waitress-bartender are Mohamed and wife Becky Aboushady. I think Becky has local ties in that region.
When I checked the place out last Friday, I was astounded at the extensive and authentic Italian cuisine menu. One finds mostly northern Italian fare, with ample dishes from the south as well. Great appetizers are offered too. They could still use a better bread, and may have to make it themselves since such authentic hard crusted bread is not found in the area. They even have a decent wine list, although I was well satisfied with a carafe of house wine. Since I like the southern style, I had the "pasta puntanesca" which is a favorite of mine. It was as good as I have had anywhere with great tomato product, capers, olives, hot pepper, and anchovie and well seasoned. Locals are all raving about various fish dishes sauteed in various sauces that Mohamed is preparing. Robert Wayans the assistant at Wild Horse, who is from San Diego area and knows good fish, loves the tuna.
I was invited to the kitchen to watch Mohamed do his thing. He uses excellent product including my favorite tomato product as a base, "Alta Cucina". He also gets fresh tomato for some salads and dishes from the giant hydroponic green houses located in Gothenburg, which are quite good all winter. He also uses fresh basil, tyme and rosemary along with the dried oregano.
My family was for 50 years, and some still are, in the Italian restaurant biz. I grew up around it. I'm telling you, Mohamed is a talented chef and you shouldn't miss a chance to try his cuisine. Unfortunately, for weekend travellers, they are not open Sunday night. But, it is a heck of a Friday or Saturday night alternative. Also, they have specials each day. The prices are dirt cheap compared to what this level of cuisine would cost in a metropolitan area, just like the golf is affordably priced comparatively between the prairie and the big urban areas.
Bella Italia
114 W. 7th
Cozad, NE
308-784-3100
So there you have it... one more reason a trip to Wild Horse is one of the best values of a high quality experience you can find anywhere.
If only Tommy would have been with me, we may still be there at Bella Italia playing the 37th hole of the day!
Did I tell you I am one happy and well fed little Italian-Irish golfer!