Shangri-La ’ s 45 Holes of Premier Championship Lakeside Golf
Feature Story
Shangri-La ’ s 45 Holes of Premier Championship Lakeside Golf
In Monkey Island , Oklahoma
by Bill Cromwell
If your golf goal for 2024 is to expand your golf horizons , then it ’ s time to plan your summer golf getaway to Shangri-La located on Monkey Island , OK , the cornerstone of Grand Lake O ’ The Cherokees — it ’ s the ultimate 45-hole golf getaway .
Since Eddy Gibbs purchased Shangri-La in 2010 , the resort has undergone constant reconstruction , additions , and upgrades to the hotel , golf courses , and endless recreational features . He has invested well over $ 75 million to make Shangri-La one of America ’ s top resort destinations . Mission accomplished !
Shangri-La ’ s hotel facilities are busy throughout the year . The 119 luxury hotel rooms , 9,000 square feet of convention and meeting space , a full-service medical spa , fitness center , steam room and sauna , an indoor pool , and a sprawling 6,500-square-foot outdoor resort pool with splash pad , tanning ledge , hot tub , food and beverage services , and fire pits .
Additionally , a new activity park opened in April 2021 . It includes a new racquet club facility with outdoor tennis courts , pickleball courts , basketball , sand volleyball , fire pits , a fishing pond , an outdoor event area , and a mini-Fenway Park replica that offers Wiffle ball , providing fun for kids of all ages .
Plus , a full-service Shangri-La Marina is adjacent to the resort hotel on Grand Lake O ’ The Cherokees . Sail Grand also offers yacht charters , fishing and leisure boats , personal watercraft rentals , and parasailing adventures .
When it comes to golf , Shangri-La ’ s Championship Golf Course features 27 holes and comprises the Legends , Champions , and Heritage nines –– frequently ranked among the state ’ s “ Top Five golf courses .” Surrounded by the waters of Grand Lake on three sides , each nine , with five tee boxes on each hole will challenge golfers of all skill levels .
The Legends Nine reopened in 2012 to rave reviews . The changes to the Legends Nine included modifications to the green complexes , white sand bunkers , and a new dual green on the Mickey Mantle Hole . It ’ s premier conditions and design proves to be one of the best tests of golf in the four-state region .
The resort also offers casual family dining food and beverage services at Doc ’ s Bar & Grill , fine dining at The Summit Restaurant and Buffalo Bar , alfresco lakeside food and beverage service at the seasonally operated Eddy ’ s Lakeside Bar , and a relaxed atmosphere at the Monkey Grind coffee shop , a proud purveyor of Starbucks coffee .
The beautiful views of Grand Lake can be seen throughout the courses at Shangri-La . Large , well-groomed fairways and greens framed by white sand bunkers make an awesome canvas for the perfect day of golf . ( Photo contributed )
16 May 2024 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE