Dave Axland

Gothenburg, NE

Wild Horse in Gothenburg, Nebraska, opened in 1999 and was designed by Dave Axland and Dan Proctor, who worked on sandhills projects with Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The course sits on sandy grazing land on the edge of town. Very little earth was moved. Fairways follow the natural rolls of the sandhills, bunkers are ragged and native-edged, and the greens are firm and tied into the ground around them so approaches can be run in. Wind across open prairie is the primary defense. It is a municipal course with green fees far below what its reputation would suggest, walkable throughout, and open to public play.

Bandon, OR

Shorty's is a 19-hole short course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the Oregon coast, opened in May 2024 on a dune site southwest of the resort's Bandon Trails course. It was designed by Rod Whitman, Dave Axland, and Keith Cutten, working together as WAC Golf. Holes range from about 39 to 170 yards, with three sets of tees on each and bunkers present on nearly every hole. The routing winds through undulating natural dunes and scattered shore pines, taking advantage of ground too irregular to support a full-length course. It is named for Shorty Dow, the resort property's original caretaker. Shorty's is part of Bandon Dunes Resort and requires a tee time like the resort's regulation courses. Net proceeds from play go toward the Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation, which supports conservation and community programs on the southern Oregon coast.

Houston, TX

Wildcat Golf Club sits on a former oil field just south of NRG Stadium in Houston, with two 18-hole Roy Case designs. The first course opened in December 2001. The Highlands is the shorter of the two. Both courses were shaped with up to 100 feet of elevation change, rare for Houston, and the high tees look out over the downtown skyline and the stadium complex. The style mixes open, links-like holes with hilly ground. Wildcat is public, with a range, a pro shop and the Vista Grill on site.

Houston, TX

The Lakes is the longer of the two Roy Case courses at Wildcat Golf Club in Houston, at about 7,000 yards from the back tees. Wildcat sits on a former oil field near NRG Stadium and opened in December 2001. The round starts from a tee close to 100 feet above the city, with skyline views. Lakes come into play on seven holes as the course works down the hill. Expect a few blind shots, a split fairway and fast, rolling greens. Wildcat is public, with a range, a pro shop and the Vista Grill on site.