75 replies to this topic

[pearls24]

Hey All:

Heading to St. Louis on 6/18 for 1 night (Staying at Harrah's Casino Resort).  I fly in early that day and will be playing around 11am.  Right now, we are booked to play Spencer T Olin which is an Arnold Palmer design.  Is this a good track?  Good condition?  Greens?  We tried to play MO Bluffs but there were no tee times for when we wanted to get out.  Any suggestions for a course somewhat close to the Airport or Harrah's?  

Thx!

[mkotthoff]

I haven't played Spencer T. in a while, but there are MUCH better courses. They layout isn't that great and the condition has never really been that good when I have played there.  Personally, if I had one round to play on a public course in St. Louis, I'd head to Annbriar. It may be a bit of a haul from the airport, but it's definitely the best all around public course in St. Louis. If you have the time, it'd be well worth it. There really aren't too many good public courses up in that part of STL, so you'll probably have to drive anyway.

[mullie29]

Pearls, try Crystal Springs Quarry, it is right across from Creve Cour lake which is not even 5 minutes from Harrahs Casino. 18 holes and a good price and the greens are in great shape. If it's windy, ( usually in the afternoons) it can be a challenge. Links style course with a few hilly hole mixed in.

[MikeMcM]

Crystal Springs is closest to the airport, you might also want to consider Tapawingo, Missouri Bluffs-worth the drive, or Pevely Farms. all of which are much better layouts and generally better condition than STO

[ruascott]

I've played Spencer T years ago.....it seemed pretty nice at the time.

[fairwayallday]

Gateway national is also pretty good, across the river and not sure of the proximity from you but I liked it. I think the best is MO bluffs but I haven't played Annbriar

[harleydavis]

Tapawingo is always a good choice. It has a few spectacular views.

Edited by harleydavis, 08 June 2012 - 12:46 PM.

[JayLefty]

I really like Cystral Springs Quarry. It is a great track. Gateway National is legit as well. There are several good choices. I just love Missouri golf. I need to get back to STL and leave Maine stat...

[UW Alumni 94]

Don't play Spencer T. Olin.  It is overrated  because of the Palmer name.  Conditions border on bad and it isis overprice for what you get get. It is not much better than an average muni.  Try to play Annbriar if you have  the time to drive there or play Gateway but don't play Spencer T.

[mullie29]

JayLefty, funny you want to get back here. I'm here now and need to get back to Northern California stat.

[pearls24]

Thx for all the suggestions guys!  How far is Annbriar from the Airport?

[mkotthoff]

pearls24, on 09 June 2012 - 05:10 AM, said:

Thx for all the suggestions guys!  How far is Annbriar from the Airport?

About a 50 min drive.

[JB57]

_{Annbriar as others have suggested is a very nice course, open prarrie and then into the woods.   Might be fairly hot and humid in mid June as I don't think it gets much air curculation.  My favorite course in St Louis area and has to be a 50 to 60 min drive as someone mentioned.   STO, played it, nothing special that I remember except my wife almost had an eagle on one of the holes.    Haven't played it but have heard good things of Gateway National.}

[pearls24]

So we ended up playing Spencer T Olin yesterday.  The layout was very nice and the course was in pretty decent shape.  The only knock was the length of grass on the tees was very high and the greens weren't very fast.  They said due to the heat/humidity they were leaving them a little longer.

[chiva]

I'm from St. Louis but live in Phoenix now. About 12 yrs ago I played the Bluffs. One of my favorite courses of all times. Amazing layout. Good thing I had a golf cart:)

[cbehan]

Wish I had seen this earlier.

Annbriar is just as far and a much better track than Spencer T.     Tapawingo, Gateway National and Pevely Farms are better options, IMO.


If you're coming back through STL anytime soon, hit me up.   I'm always looking to play and meet new people.

[ddetts]

I'm not from the area, but I had a chance to play Tapawingo last October and would also say that is a solid course (3 different 9 hole layouts).  We played the woodlands and the prairie courses, but I did think the Meramec looked like more fun than the prairie.

Some memorable and challenging holes and a pretty fair price.

[thevaporz]

I will be visiting family in Oakville in late March. What are some courses nearest to this community of St. Louis for riding or walking? I have my aunt giving me a lift to the course from Oakville so I don't want her to have to drive too far. And would these courses offer rental clubs?

[cbehan]

thevaporz, on 06 February 2013 - 01:03 PM, said:

I will be visiting family in Oakville in late March. What are some courses nearest to this community of St. Louis for riding or walking? I have my aunt giving me a lift to the course from Oakville so I don't want her to have to drive too far. And would these courses offer rental clubs?

Quail Creek is probably the closest, but I'm not a fan of that course at all.

Tapawingo isn't too far...and is a top 5 public in the area.

Annbriar is about 20 miles away in IL.   That's the best public in STL.

[Golfingmedic]

There are a lot of good placed to play just across the J.B. bridge in Columbia, IL.  Prob 10-15 min away depending on where you are staying in Oakville.  I live in south city and play in Columbia all the time.  Columbia Bridges is a decent place to play, it's not the best course in the area, but $26 for 18 w/cart isn't bad.

[Golfingmedic]

I agree with Cbehan.  Avoid Quail Creek, Annbriar is nice, just make sure you make a tee time.  They don't allow you to walk on, even if there is no one there.

[thevaporz]

Thanks, guys! Annbriar looks pretty nice, and I found some times on golfnow.com for ~$40. Is there stuff around there that the women would enjoy doing killing time? Malls, movies or anything? She may just drive back to Oakville but if there is stuff to do around there then my aunt, grandma and sister could hangout while I golf for four hours.

We may be driving to Peoria, IL to visit my cousin but probably Annbriar will be my only golf outing on the 4-day trip. Peoria is about a 3 hour drive, so our little 20 mile pit stop to Annbriar shouldn't be a problem.

[ckates7]

There's really nothing to do around that area. However, if you are going to Peoria, you can always play Weaver Ridge up there. That too is a nice course.

[jewofgolf]

thevaporz, I am from STL and live in the Peoria area now.  There an AWESOME new course here called Metamora Fields.  When you come up, let's go play there (or if I'm in STL that weekend, I'll drive you from Oakville, where I would be staying with my mom).

Also, I personally don't like Weaverridge.  It's overpriced, has slow shaggy greens, and the tees are generally not level.

PM me.

Edited by jewofgolf, 12 February 2013 - 01:34 AM.

[dikaia22]

Hey jewofgolf I'm a new transplant to the Peoria area (Dunlap actually) from stl. What are the best practice facilities in the area? Anywhere have any playable simulators? We will have to get out and play when the weather turns

[ckates7]

totally forgot about metamora fields. what are the rates there?

[JB57]

dikaia22, on 12 February 2013 - 06:54 AM, said:

Hey jewofgolf I'm a new transplant to the Peoria area (Dunlap actually) from stl. What are the best practice facilities in the area? Anywhere have any playable simulators? We will have to get out and play when the weather turns

If you are looking to practice this time of year the best place I have found is in Pekin which has a golf dome.   I drive over from Bloomington,  I believe it is called the Avanti Golf Dome, the bad thing it is only open weekdays from 10:30 to 1:00.   The reason of the hours is it is a multi use facility,  Bradley men and womens golf use it, their baseball, soccer teams practice there.   Weekends winter softball tournamenets are played there.   But if you can get there during the week in those hours it is a great place to hit balls.

[thevaporz]

jewofgolf, on 12 February 2013 - 01:31 AM, said:

thevaporz, I am from STL and live in the Peoria area now.  There an AWESOME new course here called Metamora Fields.  When you come up, let's go play there (or if I'm in STL that weekend, I'll drive you from Oakville, where I would be staying with my mom).

Also, I personally don't like Weaverridge.  It's overpriced, has slow shaggy greens, and the tees are generally not level.

PM me.

Nice! I'll send you a message for more info. I'll be there (St Louis/Oakville) Easter weekend and right now my only day available for golf is Thurs, 3/28 (planning for Annbriar). I'm really not sure if I can get out any other day during my trip but I appreciate the offer!

[jli2636]

Agree with Weaver comments, overpriced and it took a beating last summer from what I heard. The former super at Weaver is now the super at Metamora Fields I believe. I grew up in Peoria and live in Northwest Pennsylvania now. Honestly, I would rather play Lick Creek in Pekin than Weaver. Have yet to play Metamora Fields since it just opened but my dad raves about it.

As for practice facilities, for outdoor the Golf Learning Center is really fantastic imo. Large grass range during the season, a few heated bays in the cold months, and I believe they have a simulator in the proshop? Also has a large chipping green with bunkers, decent size practice putting green, and a 9 hole pitch and put that is great for 50 yard shots or to take the kids out. I also think Quail Meadows in East Peoria has a simulator that you can use during the winter.

[dikaia22]

JB57, on 12 February 2013 - 09:37 AM, said:

dikaia22, on 12 February 2013 - 06:54 AM, said:

Hey jewofgolf I'm a new transplant to the Peoria area (Dunlap actually) from stl. What are the best practice facilities in the area? Anywhere have any playable simulators? We will have to get out and play when the weather turns

If you are looking to practice this time of year the best place I have found is in Pekin which has a golf dome.   I drive over from Bloomington,  I believe it is called the Avanti Golf Dome, the bad thing it is only open weekdays from 10:30 to 1:00.   The reason of the hours is it is a multi use facility,  Bradley men and womens golf use it, their baseball, soccer teams practice there.   Weekends winter softball tournamenets are played there.   But if you can get there during the week in those hours it is a great place to hit balls.

Will have to check this out and maybe make it a long lunch.

jli2636, on 12 February 2013 - 03:32 PM, said:

Agree with Weaver comments, overpriced and it took a beating last summer from what I heard. The former super at Weaver is now the super at Metamora Fields I believe. I grew up in Peoria and live in Northwest Pennsylvania now. Honestly, I would rather play Lick Creek in Pekin than Weaver. Have yet to play Metamora Fields since it just opened but my dad raves about it.

As for practice facilities, for outdoor the Golf Learning Center is really fantastic imo. Large grass range during the season, a few heated bays in the cold months, and I believe they have a simulator in the proshop? Also has a large chipping green with bunkers, decent size practice putting green, and a 9 hole pitch and put that is great for 50 yard shots or to take the kids out. I also think Quail Meadows in East Peoria has a simulator that you can use during the winter.

Thanks for the info!