Golf Destinations
Golf Destinations
The Battlefield at Shangri-La
Opens to Rave Reviews ! by Mike Williams The all-new , much-anticipated The Battlefield , an 18- hole par 3 golf course at Shangri-La Resort on Grand Lake O ’ The Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma , officially opened in August , providing one of the nation ’ s most unique golf experiences .
The course is not your typical par 3 course . The terrain is rugged — like a World War II battlefield set in a wooded area with dramatic elevation changes . The facility has its own clubhouse , turn house concessions , and golf carts , as well as a short warm-up facility and an expansive practice putting green . The full practice facility and driving range remain adjacent to the main Shangri-La clubhouse .
Designed by architects Tom Clark and Kevin Atkinson , with building designs by Mark Thomas , The Battlefield features Bermuda grass fairways and Bentgrass greens , just like the 27- hole Championship course at Shangri-La .
Operations Rob Yanovitch . “ It ’ s an endlessly fun and engaging experience for golfers of every skill level that also recognizes our brave military personnel , with special commemorations to World War II veterans on every hole . The course has an energy and excitement that , along with our renovated , world-class 27-hole championship course , elevates the golf experience at Shangri-La into the ‘ Must Play ’ category among Midwest destination resorts . We ’ re living in Shangri-La ’ s ‘ Hello , World !’ era .”
This enjoyable , accessible par-54 course which features holes from 110 to 245 yards , joins the acclaimed 27 championship holes at Shangri-La — the Legends , Heritage , and Champions courses ( framed elegantly on the shores of the expansive Grand Lake O ’ The Cherokees ) to present an extraordinary 45-hole golfer ’ s paradise that buddies ’ trip groups and golf aficionados from all over the country will want to add to their bucket list .
“ The Battlefield is a unique facility ,” said Jerrod Neighbors ,
PGA Head Golf Professional at The Battlefield . “ The facility is obviously beautiful . The piece of land is amazing for a par 3 course . It ’ s great for players of all ranges — advanced players can make their game more difficult by changing tees . The patio at the new clubhouse is sensational . I think people are probably going to spend more time than they originally planned on the patio . It ’ s a spectacular view of the course and a very relaxing atmosphere .”
The Battlefield clubhouse overlooks scenic and expansive green complexes . ( Photo by Mike Klemme )
Although the course can be walked , golfers who choose that method of play may want to make sure they ’ re in good shape due to dramatic elevation changes . From beginning to end , the 3,000-yard course features a 100-foot change in elevation as the course winds from hilltop to the bank of Grand Lake O ’ The Cherokees . With multiple tee boxes like the Championship course , the difficulty of the course will vary depending on the tee boxes chosen by players .
Neighbors promises players that The Battlefield is not like any par 3 course golfers may have played . The terrain is rugged . The existence of five tee boxes plus the close-up Felix tees gives golfers the choice of making play as easy or as difficult as they like .
“ It ’ s a wonderful , relaxed family atmosphere at The Battlefield ,” Neighbors says . “ It ’ s a place where players are going to want to spend a lot of time . It ’ s a really fun course , but it ’ s challenging . Every hole has a different challenge . There are no cookie-cutter holes on this course , and the greens are difficult enough that , even though every hole is a par 3 , I ’ m sure we ’ ll see a lot of threeputts ,” he snickers .
“ The Battlefield is a beautiful , captivating , and purposefully designed short course like no other ,” says Director of Golf
So , does Neighbors have any tips for golfers playing The Battlefield course ?
26 September 2023 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE