After designing the Players Club Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, course architect Arnold Palmer referred to the club as “A Nebraska jewel that offers championship golf at its finest, breathtaking views of the heartland, and is playable for all levels of golfer.” Golf Digest backed up his claim by naming The Players Club one of “The Best Golf Courses in Nebraska” from 2006-10. Best Golf Magazine has named it one of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S.
In early 2022, Concert Golf Partners purchased The Players Club Omaha, adding to its boutique collection of upscale private clubs. This Arnold Palmer design is the only 27-hole private club in Nebraska and features a comprehensive practice facility with PGA instruction available. Other Club amenities include a fitness center, full-service dining, and a beautiful Aquatic Center complete with a Jr. Olympic pool, a children’s pool complete with zero-depth entry and water play features.
Like most Arnold Palmer designs, The Players Club features a lot of bunkers, several water hazards that will test your accuracy and distance control, and ample bailout room on the par 3 holes. The natural hills on the front nine are plentiful and create several blind shots, while you’ll see a lot more water on the back as the layout wanders around the creek and ponds.
The golf courses are situated on 350 acres of prime Nebraska farmland and are woven seamlessly into the natural environment. Rolling Bentgrass fairways, plenty of natural water hazards and wetlands and beautifully sculpted bunkers define each hole and lead to manicured, undulating Bentgrass greens. The original 18-hole layout is referred to as the Palmer Championship course and opened in 2000. The Highland Nine opened in 2006 and takes the best qualities of both sides and throws in more elevation changes and smaller greens.
Each layout offers 5 sets of tees. The Palmer Course can be played anywhere from 5,277 yards (Forward Tees) to 7,088 yards from the Palmer Tees. I found that the Championship Tees at 6,069 yards provided an adequate challenge and let me leave with several good memories.
The 6th hole is a 443-yard, par 4, and is the front side’s #1 handicap. It features a rugged, curving fairway with a lot of undulation and swales, and with a few strategically placed bunkers. The approach shot plays downhill to an elevated green guarded by more bunkers.
The back nine has a lot more water; you’ll play around and over small lakes and ponds. Holes 14 and 15 are quite memorable. Fourteen is a dogleg left 330-yard, par 4 that plays around a lake on the left. Hit your tee shot onto an “island” fairway. From there, you’ll have a mid to short iron over water into a green surrounded by four bunkers.
Number 15 is a dogleg right par, 472-yard par 5. You’ll hit your tee shot over water to a shallow fairway. A good drive may leave a choice to take on the two water hazards and go for the green, or play it smart and lay up. The green is protected by water on the left and bunkers on either side. It’s a thinking man’s hole!
There’s also a comprehensive practice facility with a full-length driving range where you can practice every club in your bag, a short game area with a bunker, and a large practice putting green. The staff is quick to offer game improvement tips and can arrange one-on-one or group lessons. Inside the pro shop, you’ll find all kinds of logoed apparel, footwear, and everything you’ll need for your round.
The Fitness Center has everything that you’d find at a traditional gym, only in an environment that is cleaner and more comfortable. Inside, you’ll find treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and a wide variety of weight training equipment and free weights.
On Memorial Day weekend, the Junior-Olympic-size pool becomes the Club’s center of family activity and a favorite venue for the younger crowd. Kids enjoy a zero-entry kiddie pool along with a diving board, while adults can indulge in sandwiches, icy cold beverages, frozen treats, and more.
When it comes to clubhouse dining, Members can choose between casual meals and drinks at the lounge or elegant meals in the dining room. Whether dining with the family, friends, or entertaining business clients, the talented culinary staff has put together a menu that is sure to please even the most discriminating palate!
As you can imagine, The Players Club is one of Omaha’s top wedding venues. They offer all-inclusive bridal packages, spectacular photo opportunities, and a gorgeous indoor space that is as beautiful and unique as the bride-to-be. They’ll assist you from start to finish and help you create the best day of your life. The small ballroom can easily accommodate up to 75 guests, while the larger ballroom can seat up to 160 of your closest friends. The Club is a great place to host special events, from small family get-togethers and reunions to corporate meetings and team building; they have everything you need to leave a lasting impression.
The golf course hosts a lot of local golf outings, letting you provide your participants with a true Midwest golf experience. But there’s always room for one more! It’s a turnkey package that can be customized with a call to the Club’s Events Team.
As far as private clubs go, The Players Club is a place where the entire family can have fun and create lasting memories. Members enjoy each other’s company and establish friendships and business relationships that can last a lifetime! As the membership grows and the age of members goes down, the Club’s culture will continue to grow and be redefined to reflect the values of this new, family-centric environment. It doesn’t matter if your passion is golf, tennis, fitness, or simply enjoying a great meal; the staff will make you feel like you’re part of the family. Several non-equity memberships are available, including a Full Family Golf Membership that allows the entire family to enjoy all Club amenities, a Junior Golf Membership that offers the same perks for Members under the age of 35, and a social membership that lets you enjoy everything non-golf related.
For more information on becoming a member at The Players Club, visit them online at www.theplayersclubomaha.com.