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There is Always Something New to Experience at Shangri-La Resort in Oklahoma By Glen Turk When asked about the last three years of continual improvement at Oklahoma’s Shangri-La Resort, long time Director of Communications Mike Williams succinctly summarized their charge with the above title phrase that dates to the early 1800s. In more recent years, the phrase has developed a military connotation which is only fitting as ShangriLa’s last two projects have a military theme. First, in May of 2021, the 115-acre resort on Monkey Island opened The Anchor, a 12-million-dollar activity park. The all-purpose space is complete with a racquet club facility featuring four outdoor tennis courts, six pickleball courts, basketball, sand volleyball, fire pits, a fishing pond, and an outdoor event area. The highlight of “The Anchor” for this baseball fan is a mini-Fenway Park replica, which offers kids of all ages the chance to hit a WIFFLE BALL over the Green Monster and practice your home run trot! “In its first year of operation, The Anchor far exceeded what we thought were pretty ambitious projections,” stated Williams. “As the only facility of its type between Kansas City and Dallas, it has literally been
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Spring 2022
a game changer, solidifying Shangri-La as a year-round destination. The Trackman golf simulator bay offers year-round play on our course as well as many other courses around the world! The basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts complement our mini-Fenway Park WIFFLE® ballpark which has attracted both families, team-building events, and professional WIFFLE® ball teams from throughout the United States. In the winter months, we install a gigantic, heated dome over pickleball and tennis courts to allow comfortable play no matter what the weather is like outside,” concluded Williams. Another important outdoor feature of The Anchor is a replica of one of the original anchors from the USS Oklahoma battleship, which was the inspiration for the name of the new activity park. The ship’s anchor stands proudly across from the new facility and display the names of the 429 personnel who died serving our country on this vessel when it was attacked at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Fast forward less than a year from The Anchor opening, and Shangri-La is at it again. On the heels
Pete Dye’s modern gem. Donald Ross’ classic design.
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of the new indoor/outdoor activity park at the resort, comes The Battlefield, an 18-hole, par-3 golf course slated for opening in the Spring of 2023. The course will be located at the north edge of the resort property, directly behind the Monkey Island Fire Department, and will operate as a separate destination course, independent from the club house golf operations for the resort’s 27-hole championship course. “The setting is beautiful,” said Shangri-La Executive Chairman Jason Sheffield, “but the motif will be more rugged – like a World War II battlefield set in a wooded area with dramatic elevation changes. The facility will have its own small clubhouse and turn house concessions and golf carts, as well as a short driving range for warm-ups and a putting green. The full practice facility and driving range will remain adjacent to the main Shangri-La club house,” said Sheffield.
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, difficulty of The Battlefield will vary depending on the tee boxes chosen by players. “The Battlefield par-3 course is a great addition to the golf offerings at Shangri-La,” began PGA Director of Golf Rob Yanovitch. “Our course can be challenging, and many players – especially resort guests – prefer the relatively lesser challenge of playing only par3 holes. If time is a factor, naturally it takes a lot less time to play 18 par-3 holes than the more traditional championship course.”
There is nothing “traditional” when it comes to Shangri-La’s championship layout, thanks to its immaculate condition, diversity of holes, white sand bunkers, and ultra-friendly staff. The 27-hole championship layout is divided into three remarkable Designed by architects Tom Clark and Kevin nines, The Legends, The Heritage, and The Champions. Atkinson, with building designs by Mark Thomas, The Legend and Heritage Nines are inland gems the course will feature Bermuda grass fairways and while the Champions Nine takes golfers up against Bent Grass greens, just like the championship course Grand Lake for views you would never expect. at Shangri-La. Although the course can be The distinctive nature of the three walked, golfers who choose that nines lead to constant method of play may want to compliments from “Shangri-La’s ownership/management make sure they’re in good shape long-time and firstdue to dramatic elevation team is definitely unique. Most golf fatime golfers alike. changes. From beginning cilities try to save their way to prosper“The talk in to end, the 3,000-yard the Buffalo Bar ity. We’ve taken the opposite approach course features a 100following play
by continuing to build player/member value across campus”
Rob Yanovitch, PGA Director of Golf
The Champions loop th Shangri-La Resort concludes with an idyllic view of Grand Lake. 24 9-hole | Celebrating our 20at Anniversary! Spring 2022
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Established in 1920, Old Hickory Golf Club is one of the oldest and most respected golf courses in Wisconsin. Centrally located within an hour from Milwaukee, Madison, Wisconsin Dells and Fond Du Lac, Old Hickory offers: W7596 State Rd 33 Beaver Dam, WI 53916 920.887.7179 www.oldhickorygolfclub.com
A full service restaurant
Lunch* Enjoy in the Pub or on the Patio Monday - Saturday 11AM-3PM
An outstanding championship golf course, and a professionally stocked Golf Shop Old Hickory is a 2-time host of the Wisconsin State Amateur Championship and provides a great experience for all golfers. Play more golf and have fun in weekly golf leagues; or beome a member to enjoy unlimited golf all year! Lessons, clinics and camps are offered throughout the year for those starting the game, or hoping to hone their skills.
Tuesday Dinner* 4:30PM-8:30PM Seasonal Live, Local Music* Friday Fish Fry 4:30PM-8:30PM
*Seasonal Offerings
A premier banquet facility offering the best views in the area
With a friendly staff and amenities for everyone, we invite you to spend a day with us.
We are pleased to offer superb food, an elegant atmosphere and professional service. From customized room layouts and timelines, to a delicious menu, the day is yours to the last detail. www.MidwestGolfingMagazine.com Spring 2022
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White sand bunkers, immaculate conditioning, and more than expected elevation changes all contribute to Shangri-La’s charm.
hits a variety of features,” explained Yanovitch. “First and foremost, discussions start with the premier condition of the golf course especially the greens complexes. The modern classic design with its sometimes-severe slopes and changing levels creates challenges for players. But, if you stay on the correct side of the hole, putts will roll in and scores can be low. The white sand bunkers and the views from the lakeside layout are gorgeous and always player favorites. But, when all is said and done, everyone remembers our signature hole named after local Yankee legend and Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle. The par-5 has two separate greens complexes to choose from with the highlight being a risk/reward second shot to the island green. It’s a beautiful and challenging hole that creates a lasting memory,” finished Yanovitch, who is in his 12th season at Shangri-La Resort. I have to say the ninth hole on the Legends Nine, dubbed “The Mickey Mantle Hole” (he once made a double-eagle here) is one of the coolest par-5s in the country. The hole begins with an innocuous sign that simply says, “Honor’s Choice,” meaning that whoever had the lowest score on the 8th hole gets to choose the green the group plays to. Roughly 425 yards away rests an island green that serves as one of the two green choices. The second putting surface, some 100 yards farther up the hill, is your second option. My original take was the creator of those choose your own ending books from the 80s must have designed this gem!
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Spring 2022
Shangri-La Resort refuses to rest on its sizeable laurels and their expansion projects have coincided with golf’s recent renaissance. “The increase in both tourism, group events, and membership at Shangri-La, combined with the recent upsurge in the popularity of golf make this a natural move for Shangri-La,” said Shangri-La President and CEO Barry Willingham. “We are constantly planning ways to set Grand Lake and Shangri-La in position to be the ultimate destination in our region,” stated Willingham. Shangri-La’s Resort Hotel also offers 119 guest rooms, 9,000 square feet of indoor meeting & convention space, a medical spa, an indoor pool as well as a massive 6,500-square foot-outdoor pool, a children’s playground, and multiple dining and drinking options at 10 different venues. Boat and personal watercraft rentals, yacht charters, and parasailing adventures are also available seasonally at Shangri-La Marina. It is also important to mention that resort development also includes two residential housing communities: the 15-home “Gallery” and thirty-eight homesites at “The Ridge.” For additional information on all Shangri-La Resort has to offer, check out their website at www.shangrilaok.com, download their mobile app, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.