Tapawingo National Golf Club (www.tapawingogolf.com) is one of the area golf courses designed by one of the biggest names in the world of golf, Gary Player.  Just that alone can be a recipe for success, but in today’s competitive golf landscape, there has to be more than just a name to keep golfers and events coming back.

From the moment you enter the property at Tapawingo your expectations are immediately taken to the next level.  From the gorgeous and spacious clubhouse to the fully stocked golf shop and all the way to the first class practice facility, Tapawingo delivers.  Now all they have to do is maintain that level throughout 27 holes of golf. 

By far the most interesting nine is the Woodlands course which begins just above the clubhouse and lives up to its name by navigating through thickly wooded areas for nearly the entire course.  The three, par-3’s and three, par-5’s, are the stars of this nine.  The par-3’s put a different club in your hand for each of them and provide three very different shots.  The par-3, 3^rd is one of the more famous holes in all of St. Louis with a forced carry completely over water to a green tucked back in what looks like a small quarry.  The par-3, 6^th has a dramatic drop from tee to green and can play up to 2 clubs shorter than its yardage.  Don’t get distracted by the view of Southwest St. Louis County because there is not much room to miss this green.  The 8^th is the final par-3 playing slightly uphill to a green protected by trees on the right and a steep slope if you miss left.  Two of the par-5’s (#7 & #9) provide scoring opportunities by reaching or getting near the greens in two with good tee shots but the par-5 4^th is no picnic.  A tee shot with thick rough right and water left is just the beginning.  Hit the fairway and navigate a straight up the hill layup that gives you a wedge shot into a blind green with three levels and a back left pin location that is nearly impossible to get too.  Par is a great score here and bogey is not bad because a big number is possible.  The Woodlands is a beautiful and scenic 9 holes that really stands out at Tapawingo.

The Prairies course starts off similarly to the Woodlands.  Tree lined holes with significant elevation changes.  The par-4, 1^st is very tricky the first time you play it.  A 90 degree dogleg right requires a precise long iron or fairway metal off the tee.  Miss left and you have 200 yards to the pin and miss right and you are re-teeing.  Hit it too far and you may have no shot at the green and too short will require you to lay it up again.  I am sure the professional staff have a line to hit driver over the dogleg but good luck guessing on that one if this is your first time.  Once you pass the first three holes, long and straight is the name of the game.  Water comes in play on 5 of the 6 incoming holes as well as long native grasses that make finding a stray tee shot nearly impossible.

The Meramec course is the shortest of the 9’s and while that often can mean easiest, be careful because accuracy is critical and don’t be afraid to put driver in the bag on a few holes.  The par-4, 2^nd gives you the choice of laying up straight or picking a line over the trees to get close to the green.  With the Meramec River alongside to the right and OB left, the par-4, 5^th is right in front of you but no bargain off the tee.  The par-5 7^th is a visually deceiving hole with water to the right that you cannot see from the tee and a challenging layup with trees right and long grass and water to the left.  The 8^th hole seems simple on the card, but make sure to hit the fairway because flying it to an elevated green, over water from the rough or the bunker will take all of your concentration.  If you are lucky enough to survive #8, then get ready for #9, a par-5 with water to the right off the tee, well placed bunkers and a green that you cannot miss or you will hit water short, long and even right.  This is one of the more demanding short iron approaches on the entire golf course.

Overall, Tapawingo offers a great variety of golf holes to enjoy.  My hats off to golf course superintendent, Greg Parkinson, not only does Tapawingo provide a great layout, but his team maintains the course as well if not better than any public course in the area and on par with many of the private clubs.  The greens are amazingly smooth with plenty of speed so your putts stay on line.  Just minutes from Hwy 270 and Hwy 44 it is a convenient destination for your next round or event and one of the finest experiences this side of the Mississippi.