Playing Willow Lakes is a pure golfing experience. There are no houses lining the fairways. It's just you and your skills, against the challenges laid out by a master golf course designer.

RTJ courses are known for their strategic use of water hazards, challenging greens, and risk/reward scenarios. Water comes into play on 13 holes here.

Narrow fairways, strategic bunkers, and undulating greens can challenge your every shot.  

The course starts off innocently enough. The first couple holes are relatively straightforward. The next three holes saw me sacrifice a sleeve to the water gods. Then came Hole Six.

It's a long Par 4, with water on the left and a well-guarded, elevated green. It's a particularly challenging hole for a high handicapper like me. So, after the triple here, I decided it was time to just enjoy the experience. I stopped keeping track of balls lost and number of strokes. There is so much more to this place than that.  

The course is a picturesque walk through nature. It's also deceptively playful in places. You can make it past the water, avoid the trees, and then the speedy undulated greens bring you back to reality. My favorite was Hole 12, a long Par 5, tranquil and beautiful. If I had been keeping score at that point, I'd have recorded a nice par.

The Challenging Experience
Before I played, I got the chance to talk with the golf course manager Steve Ritz-Woller. "The course is going to be challenging," he said, "there's, there's no way around that. It's a big, bad beast." Truer words were never spoken. He continued, "It's tough, but it is very enjoyable. You can play every day and not get tired of it because of the design. That, and my guys are doing a heck of a good job keeping it in good shape." 

Great Food, And Everything Else
While the RTJ course is the best part of the experience here, the other amenities step up also. The grill is awesome. Try the "Tim" burger if you like it spicy, you won't be disappointed. The driving range is first-rate. The pro shop is well stocked and the staff is super friendly.

Planning Your Visit
Did you know there's a of things to do in the Omaha area? They have one of the best zoos in the country. The children's museum is great and there's no shortage of restaurants, shows, or athletics to see. Aerospace enthusiasts can check out the nearby Strategic Air Command Museum. It's west of Omaha just off I-80. 

If you're into the outdoors, check out all the offerings of the FSS Outdoor Recreation. 

Facility Facts

• Par 72 - Length 6850 yards

• Slope 132 - Rating 73.5

• Year Built 1963

• Fairways Bermuda Grass

• Greens Bermuda Grass

• Golf Season February - November

• Architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1963) Bill Dietsch (1963)