MISTWOOD GOLF in ROMEOVILLE-MISTWOOD GOLF DOME in BOLINGBROOK, with a McWethy’s for food an drink in both places. The golf dome is open if your ready to go inside. Mistwoodgc.com (815)-254-3333 or the golf dome Mistwoodgolfdome.com _____________________________________________________________________

The new Indiana University Pfau Course in Bloomington, also has a new clubhouse. Named for George Thomas.

INDIANA ALUMNI-STUDENTS and golf team members, smile, you have a golf club to finally be proud of. The Pfau Course at Indiana University, named in honor of major donors, Ned and Sue Pfau.

The new course is the old course, but looks nothing like the old version. It’s a golf course right in front of you, with some room to play golf, and work the ball since obstructive trees have been removed.

The schools golf coaching staff is now safe to bring recruits out, and let them see one of the best campus golf courses in the Big Ten Conference. Those recruits are now noticing Indiana, and there are a couple of highly ranked recruits that have now already committed to IU after seeing the golf course. Other Big Ten Coaches should take notice.

The par 4, dogleg left second hole.

The renovation of the university golf course was long overdue. In fact some folks say recruits heard over 50 years ago that a new course was on the way.

The story went on for years, but is a tale no longer. Credit Indiana for getting architect Steve Smyers to come in, and finally get things right.

Smyers first project, was the highly rated Wolf Run Golf Club in the north burbs of Indianapolis. A course that always attracted architect Pete Dye’s attention, when Dye was building his Crooked Stick Golf Club down the street. Legend has it that Dye was once seen standing on ladder outside the fence of Wolf Run, just to look in on Smyers work.

The par 3 15th hole, on the IU-Pfau Course.

One of the most heard sayings in golf, when speaking of the young players of today and college golfers of today is, these kids just hit it so far.

Well they do, so Smyers made sure the bombers will be tested if needed. While there is plenty room to hit a long ball on the Pfau Course, the course comes with six sets of tee boxes. Yardage ranges from just over 4500 yards, to the back tee’s at 7,908 yards.

The renovation saw the removal off a forest full of trees that encroached on the fairways, and never let golfers simply play golf. Smyers deserves credit for his mixed pattern of bunkers on the golf course. Those golfers who have played Wolf Run, will notice a few of the bunker nests on Pfau, have a resemblance to Wolf Run. But even more creative, is a rustic bunker look that golfers find on courses like Erin Hills, or Sand Valley.

Click here to listen to the interview with Pfau Course General Manager Greg Bishop.

Golfers can’t be short with their approach shots on the par 4, 18th hole.

But Smyers took the bunkering style one step further. He has three holes on the course that don’t have any bunkers at all.

A relief for golfers who don’t like having to hit over them, or out of them.

The clubhouse and the golf course are not the only area’s of improvement. What’s so important to not only college golf teams, but golf facilites everywhere is the upgrade to the practice area’s.

Click here to hear an interview with golf course architect Steve Smyers, on the renovation of the Indiana University Pfau Golf Course.

It’s expected that tee times will be in demand, especially around football weekends at the school. The football stadium is located very close to the golf course. It’s located at 1492 North State Road 45/46 in Bloomington (812)-855-7543.

The renovation of the golf course started with the back nine holes first, so they have grown in better at this point in time, than the front nine. Club General Manager Greg Bishop says the golf course will open in the spring of 2020.

Indiana’s golf team’s have events in April, and after they conclude, the golf course will open for public play. There will be more information on a grand opening date, rates and more, available in January. There will be more details at IUhoosiers.com.