Getting To Know: Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Bruce Bottom who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
Course opened in 2003. Course Architect: Brian Ault of Ault, Clark & Associates. 5 sets of tees allows the course to play between 5,000 and 7,000 yards. Large, undulating bent grass greens. Zoysia fairways. Many elevation changes. A very demanding test. Excellent practice facilities. Numerous golf publications consistently rank Dale Hollow as one of the top 10 courses in Kentucky.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
One of the top 10 courses in Kentucky and one of the most scenic in the country. Also, course is kept in excellent condition.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Select tee markers commensurate with your ability. Choose wisely. The first two holes are warm up holes, but after that, the game is on. It is also very helpful to hit your tee shots accurately (probably true for most courses). Approaching the green complexes: staying short is way better than missing to the sides or long. On the putting greens: the ball generally does not break as much as you would think.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
2013 Golf Digest Magazine State Rankings:

Dale Hollow was ranked as the 7th best course in Kentucky.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
Hole #15, Par 3, yardage between 119 and 194. From the 3 longest tees, tee shot must carry over a ravine to a green that is fronted by a rock ledge. Accurate distance is a must. Long or short is adios.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
Hole # 14, Par 5, yardage between 429 and 528. A classic risk reward par 5. It may be played as a traditional 3 shot hole by playing safely away from the pond that runs along the right side of the hole. You can cut off a lot of yardage by going over the pond with your tee shot. Careful though, the fairway gets narrower the further you go. The reward is an open, slightly uphill second shot to an easily reachable green.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
The buffet at the State Park Lodge Island View Restaurant is a can't miss.

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
The competitive course record is 66. Shot by Pierre Carlsson of the University of the Cumberlands in the second round of the 2010 Lindsey Wilson College Fall Invitational. This round was played from the #1 tee markers (7023 yards) in very wet conditions. It was a stunner.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 7023
Slope: 136
Rating: 72.9

More Information
Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
5970 State Park Rd. Burkesville, KY, 42717
270-433-7888
www.parks.ky.gov