This weekend I drove from North Texas to Sioux Falls, SD to visit family. Normally the drive takes me through Topeka, KS then pretty much straight north into South Dakota. Instead of going that way though I headed into Central Nebraska to check out Awarii Dunes Golf Club – a course I’ve been wanting to play.

I teed off around 11 A.M. at what turned out to be another of Nebraska’s fine golf courses. Awarii Dunes was unique and interesting – if you haven’t played any golf in Central or Western Nebraska then Awarii Dunes would be a good introduction to the area’s awesome golf scene. At times the course felt like a blend of Tatanka and nearby Wild Horse. I also thought there were elements of Black Mesa or Tobacco Road. The course’s vibe felt wild and unpolished, but in a good way.

Jim Engh designed Awarii Dunes which is the main reason I wanted to play here. He is one of my favorite designers and I usually enjoy his work. Awarii Dunes was no exception, although it was a lot to take in the first time playing here. The course is extreme, even in an area of the country that is mostly flat. What makes the course so crazy are all the blind shots, large greens, undulating fairways and steep grass-covered bunkers.

The course is a links layout, without many trees in play, and routed through the rolling prairie. Just a couple holes on the back nine have trees lining the fairways. No homes. Generally speaking, the fairways have plenty of width. But if you don’t find the fairways then there is a small strip of rough before getting into the tall grass. I didn’t have much luck finding my ball in the junk, so best to stay out of it.

I played the black tees (72.5/123/7001) and thought the most difficult part about golfing here were all the blind landing areas. Engh normally throws in some blind shots to the greens, but many drives and layups on the par-5’s are also blind. Personally, I’m not a big fan of so many blind shots throughout a round. Lots of guessing and then hoping I guessed correctly. The tall grass was grown up around the tees which made it tougher to see, even on the flat holes. The course seemed more difficult than the rating and slope.

I wouldn’t say there is a signature hole, but the course’s signature characteristic is the large greens with many tiers and lots of slope. For example, the 2nd is a 196-yard par-3 with a two-tiered green. The rise from the front tier to the back is probably five feet. Then the 6th has a wavy green with multiple humps in it. The pin was tucked behind one of the humps during my round. The 9th has another green with an elevated back tier while the long par-4 17th has a green hidden in the bottom of a depression. All sorts of shots funnel towards the center. Fun stuff.

The green was $95, which felt steep considering the conditions. The conditions were good, but not great. The turf was overwatered and there were winterkill spots in a number of areas. Tees and fairways had just so-so coverage. The greens were nice, pure and a medium pace.

Awarii Dunes is a good course and worth mixing in on a Nebraska golf trip. However, it wasn’t quite the must play I thought it would be. The scruffy conditions and all the blind shots took away some of the enjoyment. If you have to pick only one public course to play along I-80 then Wild Horse is the ticket. If you’ve played there and are looking to try a new course then I’d recommend Awarii Dunes.

Course Pictures (click any picture to scroll through the gallery):