[Tony_Chapman]

I'm sure Jeff will pipe in somewhere and tell you this isn't his best work, as we all know he has done some wonderful stuff in Minnesota that I have yet to play. I have also credited Jeff (and he hates is when I toot his horn) with saving golf in Nebraska with Woodland Hills, Highlands and Champions Run.

This is Jeff's Bent Tree just outside of Council Bluffs, IA that is in the base of the Loess Hills. There is some dramatic elevation on this golf course and Jeff routed a very fun golf course here. I would say it could be a little firmer (especially for how it looks), but you can't win them all. For $40 on the weekend it's very hard to beat.


Here is the downhill third that runs around to the left.


Here is the fourth and I apologize in advance for the pic. Jeff made a wonderful double fairway here, so you can also go to the right of that bunker complex. It's quite uphill to the green in the distance.


This is the 6th hole a downhill par-4 of about 400 yards. He has given two fairways on this hole as well with the right side a much safe and easier play (you can't really see it here) and the left side a more daring drive, but a really straightforward short-iron.


This is the par-5 ninth with the "bent tree" where the course tooks it name.


The approach to the par-4 10th with a green set in very low with high dunes surrounding the green complex.


The par-3 13th. A neat little hole of about 170 yards.


The split fairway at the the par-5 15th give golfers a choice again. With the tee high above the action, the thought of just busting it over the bunker comes into one's mind, but it shouldn't.  

Enjoy!!

[Jeff_Brauer]

Tony,

Ah, the Iowa Loess (Wind blow silty soils) Hills.  My design thought for this course was "Loess is more."

Yes, I don't think of it as my best work.  Both this and the Legacy over in Norwalk were built "in house" and I think it shows up in some very important details lacking, especially in bunker shaping, cart path location, green contouring, etc.  Budget constraints limited me to about five site visits.  I have to say that the double fairways and bunker placement these photos show still look okay to me, and are very representative of my thinking at the time.

While we moved very little earth, the photo of the tenth and first account for about half of all earth moved.  When I routed it, all the holes fit pretty well, except that it required 1 and 10 to go straight up a hill.  By sinking the greens 25 feet or so (would have to go look back at the plans) I thought we created some interest there, somewhat reminiscent of Ireland holes, but of course artificial.

Tony, with your permission, I will add these photos to my own digital library, since I never got a chance to take photos myself.......

[Tony_Chapman]

Jeff - You can put these in your library, but it might cost you a round of golf in the future!! I have a couple more pictures if you want them.

Below is a picture of the 1st (on the right) and the 10th (on the left) from the 7th tee.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Tony,

Thanks.  

Ouch - one of the "details" that gets by when you don't have a contract for field visits is the fact that on the 10th  Hole, the area left fairway was also meant to be a fw, with the challenge of carrying to the upper fw to get vision to the green the key design element.  When I saw the cp between the two fairway areas, I was sick......

I would love to play some time when I get back to NB.

[Tony_Chapman]

Jeff - I must say it doesn't even appear to be ANY fairway right there. If there is, it's about the size of a green and you wouldn't even want to hit it there.  

[RJ_Daley]

When I drive through this area of Council Bluffs and from about I-80 680 split and down to the city there, I have often thought there was some golfy looking country in those rolling hills.  How does this silty blown soil drain?  It seems to me that if they would have just placed segmented cart paths from tees to dispersal areas in the fore fairway, and allowed carts on the turf, they would have saved a great deal of money.  Even if they spent half the savings on more drainage in the problem areas to compensate for cart travel, they would have had a much better looking golf course.   They could always rope off areas where they wouldn't want carts to travel in soft wet conditions. But, as far as I know, they haven't exactly had soft wet, overly rainy seasons out there in a long while, and turf damage from carts wouldn't be a problem.

Is any of that true, Jeff?  Those paths are a pity.

Is this course walkable?  The Nebraskan's love of golf carts continues to amaze me.

[Tony_Chapman]

When I drive through this area of Council Bluffs and from about I-80 680 split and down to the city there, I have often thought there was some golfy looking country in those rolling hills.  How does this silty blown soil drain?  It seems to me that if they would have just placed segmented cart paths from tees to dispersal areas in the fore fairway, and allowed carts on the turf, they would have saved a great deal of money.  Even if they spent half the savings on more drainage in the problem areas to compensate for cart travel, they would have had a much better looking golf course.   They could always rope off areas where they wouldn't want carts to travel in soft wet conditions. But, as far as I know, they haven't exactly had soft wet, overly rainy seasons out there in a long while, and turf damage from carts wouldn't be a problem.

Is any of that true, Jeff?  Those paths are a pity.

Is this course walkable?  The Nebraskan's love of golf carts continues to amaze me.

The course is walkable, but it wouldn't be like WH if you catch my drift. There are some pretty good elevation changes out there.

Your are right, the paths are awful, in fact, I don't think they end. You can stay on a path from 1 tee to 18 green out there.

[Jason Hines]

All,

I have said this on the board before that Bent Tree is one of the better tracks in Omaha.  .  I try and play this course once each year, but sometimes feel guilty because of the home course dues, but its still worth it.  I also like the par 4 14th, tough landing area, long and up hill approach shot to a cradled green.

Jeff, I have asked you a couple of years ago on this board, the last three holes seem to be the weakest on the course.  Was this because of the pre-existing holes or some type of land limitation?  Or what’s the story if you remember?

I agree with Tony, you can walk this course but you are going to feel it when you are done.  There are a few hikes between a few tees and greens and there are a couple of crossings of residential streets as well.  Not to mention, the course is built into some fairly steep hills to begin with.

Tony, the next time you’re in Omaha, zip me a note.

Jason

[Tony_Chapman]

Jason - Good call re: 14, I wish I had taken a picture of that green complex.

I should have buzzed you when I was there, I will remember next time. Also you should come out to York for a game too!!

[Tommy Williamsen]

I have yet to play any of Jeff's courses but my son in MN has and loves his work especially at Giant's Ridge.  Hopefully I will get to one of his courses soon.  It is good to see young architects come along.

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