The RedBud Awards represent the highest honor in the tourism industry in Oklahoma. Shangri-La, located on northeastern Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, had previously been honored as “Best Lodging in Oklahoma” in 2018 and the resort was named “Best Attraction in Oklahoma” in 2022. The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La, which opened in June 2021, was named “Best New Attraction” by OTIA at the 2023 Awards Banquet.
Shangri-La’s PGA Director of Golf Ryan Snyder, PGA Head Golf Professional Jerrod Neighbors, and Head Golf Professional at The Battlefield Bradley Jumper were joined by Director of Sales Dana Able, Director of Communications Mike Williams, and Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Amanda Davis to accept the honor which was presented by Oklahoma Travel Industry Association President & CEO James Leewright and Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Director Shelley Zumwalt.
The 3,000-yard Battlefield layout is a short course of creative, articulated scale and vision, constructed on an exceptional piece of land that features more than 100 feet of elevation change across its acreage. The scenic, strategic course was completed for $15 million with each hole named in honor of an Oklahoma veteran of WWII. The facility has its own clubhouse and turn house concessions and golf carts, as well as a short warm-up facility and an expansive putting green.
Designed by architects Tom Clark and Kevin Atkinson, with building designs by Mark Thomas, The Battlefield features Bermuda grass fairways and Bent Grass greens, just like the 27-hole Championship course at Shangri-La. Although the course can be walked, golfers should prepare for dramatic elevation changes. With multiple tee boxes, The Battlefield’s difficulty of the course will vary depending on the tee boxes chosen by players.
“The Battlefield is a beautiful, captivating, and purposefully designed short course like no other,” says PGA Director of Golf Ryan Snyder. “It’s an endlessly fun and engaging experience for golfers of every skill level that also recognizes our brave military personnel, with special commemorations to World War II veterans on every hole. The course has an energy and excitement that, along with our renovated, world-class 27-hole championship course, elevates the golf experience at Shangri-La into the ‘Must Play’ category among the nation’s destination resorts.”
This enjoyable, accessible par-54 course which features holes from 110 to 245 yards, joins the acclaimed 27 championship holes at Shangri-La, the Legends, Heritage and Champions courses (framed elegantly on the shores of the expansive Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees) to present an extraordinary 45-hole golfer’s paradise that buddies’ trip groups and golf aficionados from all over the country will want to add to their bucket list.
“The Battlefield is a unique facility,” said Bradley Jumper, Head Golf Professional at The Battlefield. “The facility is obviously beautiful. The piece of land is amazing for a par 3. It’s great for players of all ranges – good players can make their game more difficult by changing tees. The patio at the new club house is sensational. It’s a spectacular view of the course and a very relaxing atmosphere.”
PGA Head Golf Professional Jerrod Neighbors promises players that The Battlefield is not like any Par 3 course golfers may have played. The terrain is rugged. The existence of five tee boxes plus the close-up Felix tees gives golfers the choice of making play as easy or as difficult as they like.
“It’s a wonderful, relaxed family atmosphere at The Battlefield,” Neighbors says. “It’s a place where players are going to want to spend a lot of time. It’s a really fun course, but it’s challenging. Every hole has a different challenge. There are no cookie-cutter holes on this course; and the greens are difficult enough that, even though every hole is a Par 3, we actually see a lot of three-putts,” he laughs.
“It’s not like the typical Par 3,” Neighbors says. “At most Par 3 courses you find yourself using the same three clubs over and over. The Battlefield isn’t like that. Bring all your clubs. You can use them all! Play different tees. Experience different games. Mix it up. Play different tees. And have a great time. It can be a different experience every time you play.”
The Battlefield is open six days a week (closed Wednesdays). The Championship Course at Shangri-La is open for play seven days a week.
Visit shangrilaok.com for more information.
