Geoff Shackelford and Prairie Club - see a golf course design evolve before your eyes

Geoff Shackelford is building the new Prairie Club near Valentine, Nebraska. Geoff writes the following on his website:

"The design will mark a reunion of the Rustic Canyon team, headed by Gil Hanse with support from Geoff Shackelford and Jim Wagner. The private club and retreat is being developed with the goal of building a land-based design incorporating the site's natural dunescape and scenic canyon-rim views while preserving this remarkable property as a nature sanctuary. The Prairie Club will offer a pure Nebraska sandhills golf experience for those who appreciate the sport as it was meant to be played."

Best of all Geoff has pictures of the primal landscape, pre construction, so you can see what the architect sees as he visualizes the routing...a unique opportunity. Pix are here.

If you look at the picture of the third hole, you'll see Geoff is putting in a punchbowl green. This is a perfect example of how the architect uses the natural features of the land and employs interesting architectural features to fit with the natural contours. This is golf course architecture at its highest level. "You see that?! Now, THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!"

Also see www.prairieclub.com.