Cobblestone Golf Course, Kendallville, IN

When you’re thinking about where to go on your next golf vacation, Fort Wayne isn’t likely to be top of your list. But if you live in the upper Midwest, maybe it should be. There are no less than 25 courses in the area that are open to public play and several of the top tier courses have been packaged together by Great Indiana Golf, which operates out of Cobblestone Golf Club in Kendallville, IN. Here are three “must-play” courses when you're in the area.

Cobblestone is one of those elite courses I was talking about. The course has been around for a while and has always been a favorite of locals. One of the accolades it has received over the years was to be selected as one of "America's Best New Courses" in 1999. The golf course is situated on about 250 acres of rolling terrain with several natural and manmade hazards along the way. Cobblestone offers a great practice facility that allows you to work on every facet of your game. The driving range, chipping green, and putting green are all conveniently located right behind the clubhouse.

Cobblestone offers 5 sets of tees and can be played anywhere from 7,005 yards from the tips to 4,734 yards from the forward tees. The finishing holes on each nine are as different as can be. Number nine is a 375-yard par-four dogleg right that is the #1 handicap. It’s a tight hole with considerable elevation changes. The 18th hole is a 495-yard par 5 that is handicapped as the easiest hole on the layout. It’s not often that a par 5 is handicap #18Sand can come into play on the left side if you pull your tee shot. Play your layup shot down the left side to give yourself a clear shot downhill into a green that is well protected by bunkers.

When the weather turns cold outside, golfers can move inside and play a round on Cobblestone’s indoor golf simulator which is loaded with over 20 of the world’s best courses. Their pro shop is also well-stocked with logoed apparel from several top brands.

The Best Western Kendallville Inn is the preferred hotel partner of Great Golf Indiana. The hotel is locally owned and was recently renovated. The Best Western Kendallville Inn has all of your typical big-city hotel amenities and a heaping helping of warm, small-town hospitality. They offer a variety of rooms and suites that are perfect for golf groups and couples. Rooms include a microwave and refrigerator, 32-inch LCD TV, high-speed Internet access, and a full breakfast buffet. Be sure to ask about the “special perks” available for their golf visitors. Nearby Fort Wayne offers big-city entertainment, dining, and shopping.

The Fort Wayne area is poised to be the host of a multi-venue golf tournament like they have in Myrtle Beach and Mesquite, Nevada. They have the courses and accommodations to pull it off and with a little participation from local restaurants I’m confident it would be a success. Great Indiana Golf has put together some great golf packages that include some of the best golf courses Indiana & SW Michigan has to offer together with overnight accommodations at the Best Western Kendallville Inn.

Very well maintained course.Friendly staff.Great practice area.