Rock Hollow Golf Club:
One of Indiana's Best Courses

By Kiel Christianson,
Senior Writer

PERU, IN - When you think of "the" places to play, the country of Peru doesn't generally spring to mind, does it? But have you heard of Peru, Indiana (pronounced PEE-RU by the locals)? This small town, close to Kokomo, is home to one of the top three public courses in the entire state of Indiana, Rock Hollow Golf Club.

Despite its exotic name, Peru and its world-class course lie just three hours south of Lansing, well within reach of serious golfers who want to play a serious golf course.

Rock Hollow Golf Course has just been named to Golf Digest's "201 Places to Play", one of only three Indiana courses to be included in this elite list. This honor is just the most recent in the course's short but storied history of national recognition. In 1997-98, the same publication rated Rock Hollow as the fifth best course in North America for under $50. Rock Hollow's growing reputation as one of the best in the state-and in all of the Midwest, for that matter-is well deserved, and based on its pedigree, nothing less would be expected.

The PGA Professional is Todd Smith, winner of over 15 Indiana PGA events and brother to PGA Tour and Nike Tour player Chris Smith. Their little brother Terry owns the course record, and their father Terry owns the course.

All of the notoriety comes as no surprise to those who've watched the course develop since the first nine holes opened in 1994. First-timers, however, may be taken aback not only by the striking beauty of this one-time rock quarry, but also by the punishing nature of the course. The course architect, Tim Liddy, is a protégé of Pete Dye, and Rock Hollow was his first solo effort.

Ranging in length from 6,944 at the tips to 4,967 at the front tees, both length and accuracy are at a premium for golfers of all skill levels. Some of the tee shots from both the back and mid-back tees look a lot longer and tighter than they really are, placing a bit of a heavy burden on the minds of all but the most accomplished players.

• Past Indiana course reviews

More intimidating yet are the numerous natural hazards throughout the course-wetlands, woods, rock pits, ponds and lakes, and thick rough and underbrush. So while the fairways are for the most part generous, if you should stray at all from the short grass, it is very likely that you will not find your ball.

Many of the fairways even fall off on both sides two to three feet down into the fatal rough. This is the true greatness of Rock Hollow: Liddy gives you a fair target to aim at, but if you should miss, you are dead.

The course features bentgrass from tee to green, and is in immaculate condition. The greens are as a rule very large (with a few exceptions) and undulating. Any putt over three feet will have at least one break in it. The outstanding greens crew has them rolling true and extremely fast, even under soggy early spring conditions.

Be sure to check the pin placement positions on the very handy laminated yardage book that you'll find in your cart. Three-putting is almost always a possibility.

The two "signature" holes are Nos. 6 and 14. No. 6 measures 601 yards from the tips, and is perhaps the narrowest fairway on the course (as if the length were not enough to deal with). The fairway snakes right on the second shot and then left to the comparatively small, reverse-saddle green.

No. 14 is the signature hole, a 228-yard par 3 whose enormous, elevated green is guarded all along the right by a rocky pond. It is here where players can really get a feel for the stark, dramatic landscape that was once a rock quarry (especially if you happen to hear one of the occasional explosions from across the road where they're still removing rock).

The closing hole has the potential to be one of the toughest in the state. At 427 yards, the par 4 would be a decent hole if it were straight and hazard-free. Add in a long carry over water, water from tee to green on the left, woods and thick rough on the right, and strategic bunkering nearer the green, and you've got yourself one mean 18th hole.

Even the bail-out area to the right of the water looks a long ways away from all but the two shortest sets of tees.

Amenities at Rock Hollow include snack bar and pro shop, driving range, lessons with Todd Smith, and a nice little packet of Rock Hollow insignia tees, ball markers, and green repair tools in each cart. The best features, however, are the detailed yardage books in each cart and the very easy-to-find yardage markers out on the course. If there is a weakness of the facility, it is the clubhouse, which is just a large metal shed.

However, one might want to consider this a strength, since it means that money that would have otherwise gone into a palatial clubhouse was instead put into the course itself. This level of dedication to the course and the game of golf is evident on each and every hole.

Rock Hollow is truly one of those increasing rarities in golf: It is an outstanding, world-class course that is still affordable. Michigan golfers are fortunate that it is within day-trip of South and Mid-Michigan. From Lansing, just take I-69 South to Hwy. 24 west (just south of Ft. Wayne).

Stay on 24 and you will eventually see signs for Peru. Don't let the signs for the nearby towns of Mexico, Chili [sic], and Brazil worry you, though - it's really not that far away, and it's worth every minute of the drive.

Rock Hollow Golf Club
P.O. Box 187
County Road 250 West
Peru, IN 46970
(tel) 765-473-6100
(fax) 765-473-4412
e-mail: rockgolf@netusa1.net
www.rockhollowgolf.com
Pro: Todd Smith
Rating (tips): 74.0
Slope (tips): 132