Golf in the State of Oklahoma
"Sooner" or later, you would expect Oklahoma's golf scene to be featured. Located in the nation's South Central region, it borders neighboring states of Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northeast, Texas to the south and west, New Mexico to the west, Arkansas to the east, and Colorado to the northwest. Nearly two thirds of the state's residents live in the capital and largest metro area Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the second largest city. Varied landscapes within the state including prairies, forests, mountain ranges and mesas make for unique and challenging course designs. Oklahoma City boasts 37 of the state's 175 courses, Tulsa another 29, while 6 are found in Norman, 5 in Enid, 5 more in Stillwater, 3 in Ada and 3 more in Lawton, among others.
Several great Oklahoma public courses should not be missed, including Pryor Creek Golf Club, Pryor, its reasonable green fees making it one of the most popular courses in the state; the recently renovated Chickasaw Pointe Golf Club, Kingston, one of the state's more beautiful courses, incorporating views of Lake Texoma from the greens; Cherokee Hills Golf Club, Catoosa, "a true challenge for the most accomplished golfer, while inviting enough for the weekend player"; Karsten Creek Golf Club, Stillwater, the Tom Fazio designed University of Oklahoma golf course and Forest Ridge Golf Club, Broken Arrow, with its beautiful century-old trees.
Numerous pro golfers got their start at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, including Matthew Wolf, born in Simi Valley, California and now residing in Jupiter, Florida, winner of the 2019 NCAA Division I individual championship, who uses a left leg kick for power in an unorthodox, but effective swing; Rickie Fowler, from Murrieta, California, who ranked 4th in the world in 2016; Charles Howell III, born in Augusta, Georgia, who ranked 9th on the 2002 PGA Tour money list; Scott Verplank, born in Dallas, Texas, and residing in Edmond, who in 1985 won the Western Open near Chicago, the first win by an amateur on the PGA Tour in 29 years, and Hunter Mahan, from Orange, California, winner of 2 World Golf Champion events, one in 2010 and the other in 2012.