Every once in a while, you find a hidden-away golf course that captures your imagination and immediately becomes one of your favorite layouts. In this case, meet Sultan’s Run in Jasper, IN.
Sultan’s Run was recently awarded the prestigious Distinguished Golf Destination, The Hallmark of Excellence for a golf course, by BoardRoom magazine, in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide. The award recognizes exceptional golf courses that exceed expectations in the quality of service and amenities, facilities, and most importantly, the teamwork of the staff and management.
Located approximately 30 minutes from the French Lick Resort, Sultan’s Run, designed by Pete Dye protégé Tim Liddy, is a classic “off the grid’’ destination with almost all of the perks of a five-star resort.
“We get a lot of play from French Lick, and Louisville and the entire Midwest,’’ said Sultan’s run Owner/General Manager Chris Tretter. “We just had a group here from Dallas who told me they can’t recommend this place enough. And that’s after playing 18 holes on a day when we were cart-path only. People really have good experiences here.’’
It all begins with the 6,859-yard (tips), par 72 golf course that Liddy created out of a horse farm.
“This place has great bones,’’ Tretter said.
Indeed. Stretched on more than 300 acres of native hardwoods and heather, the front nine shows off the rolling hills of southern Indiana, particularly on the downhill, par-three second hole that plays 194 yards from the tips.
The back nine plays more like a parkland course, highlighted by the 18th hole, a 429-yard (tips) par-four with a green that’s backdropped by the course’s signature feature – a 20-foot high, 200-foot long waterfall that pushes over 1,000 150 gallons of water per minute.
King of Siam Chalet (Sultan’s Run)
The waterfall is a credit to management’s attention to detail throughout the course, including its zoysia tees and fairways, and bentgrass greens. You won’t find a better-conditioned public course in the Midwest.
“We’re very big on agronomy,’’ Tretter said.
Sultan’s Run also has big accommodations. The property features the King of Siam Chalet – a four-bedroom executive home, adjacent to the 17th hole. The house, which sleeps up to 12 guests, is named in honor of King of Siam – a world champion American Saddlebred off-spring of Supreme Sultan, for whom Sultan’s Run is named. Complete with a kitchen, great room and dining room, the King of Siam is ideal for larger golf buddy trips.
Also, next to the 17th hole, the King of Siam Cottage has four beds (two kings and two queens) and sleeps up to eight guests.
And located along the 14th hole, the Starina Ranch features six beds (one king, two queens, and three twin queens). Starina can sleep up to 10 guests, and also includes a kitchen, great room, and entertainment room.
Feature Photo: 13th hole at Sultan’s Run
