FRENCH LICK, Indiana — Golf season is about to be in full swing at French Lick Resort with two championship courses reopening for the season.
The Donald Ross Course at French Lick will kick off its 2026 season starting Friday, March 13. The Pete Dye Course at French Lick gets rolling two weeks later, opening Friday, March 27.
Both courses are coming off a record-setting 2025 as French Lick Resort continues solidifying itself as one of the premier golf destinations in the country. During the 7-month golf season in 2025, more than 50,000 rounds were played at French Lick’s Pete Dye, Donald Ross and 9-hole Valley Links courses. That number has doubled just since 2022.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the tremendous uptick in business we have seen,” said Dave Harner, Director of Golf at French Lick Resort. “It is a great credit to our team. They provide an exceptional golf experience and do it consistently, day after day.”
The golf world is taking notice, as The Pete Dye Course at French Lick earned high honors in LINKS Magazine’s recently released “Top 100 Golf Courses in America” for 2026. Dye’s 2009-designed course came in at No. 50, marking French Lick’s highest ranking in any publication that combines both public and private courses. Additionally, 2025 marked the 15th straight year that French Lick’s Pete Dye and Donald Ross Courses have been #1 and #2 in Indiana on Golfweek’s “Best You Can Play” rankings.
“Certainly, the championships that have been played here — from the Epson Tour to LPGA Legends Tour to the Senior PGA Championship and most recently the Korn Ferry Tour Championship — have provided tremendous exposure and puts us in the minds of the traveling golfer all over the world,” Harner said.
There’s plenty more in store for the 2026 golf experience at French Lick Resort, including:
RidgeView Cottages: The newest way to stay at French Lick Resort will be opening in March 2026. Located one mile from French Lick Springs Hotel, RidgeView Cottages provide the comfort of home for parties of up to 8 or 16 — perfect for golf groups.
Lights at The Sand Creek Course: French Lick Resort’s short course, which debuted in 2025, now offers golfers the chance to play after the sun goes down. New lights at the 9-hole, 700-yard course will make Sand Creek a hot spot for nighttime summer fun.
New golf carts with FAIRWAY IQ: 180 new Yamaha Quiet Tech golf carts are ready to roll at the Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses. These carts are equipped with FAIRWAY IQ technology, delivering GPS yardages, pace-of-play guidance and real-time course information.
Also in 2026, French Lick Resort is expanding partnerships with professionals on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours. French Lick’s sponsored tour pros for the 2026 season include:
Adam Schenk, PGA Tour: Vincennes, Indiana native and 9-year PGA Tour veteran who captured the 2025 Butterfield Bermuda Championship and finished 9th in the 2023 Tour Championship.
Chandler Blanchet, PGA Tour: Winner of the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Championship contested at The Pete Dye Course at French Lick, Blanchet will be competing in his debut season on the PGA Tour.
Joe Weiler, Korn Ferry Tour: A Bloomington native and Purdue University standout, Weiler is in his fourth season on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Tyler Duncan, Korn Ferry Tour: A former Indiana high school state champion from Columbus North High School, Duncan is in his 10th season on the professional tour.
French Lick Resort Golf Team Accolades
- Phil Nelson, PGA Member and Assistant Golf Professional at The Donald Ross Course, was awarded the 2026 Indiana PGA Resort Merchandiser of the Year. Nelson follows Rob Koontz, Head Golf Professional at The Pete Dye Course, who earned Indiana PGA Resort Merchandiser of the Year in 2025 and went on to win the PGA’s National Resort Merchandiser of the Year as well.
- Lori Atsedes, Head Golf Professional at The Donald Ross Course, collected LPGA Midwest Pro of the Year honors in 2025.
Current French Lick Resort Course Accolades:
- LINKS Magazine (Top Resort Courses in America; The Pete Dye Course #50)
- Golfweek Magazine (Indiana’s Best Public Courses; Pete Dye #1 and Donald Ross #2)
- Golfweek Magazine (Best Casino Courses; The Pete Dye Course #4 and The Donald Ross Course #12)
- Golfweek Magazine (200 Greatest; The Donald Ross Course #116)
- Golf Digest (100 Greatest Public Courses; The Pete Dye Course #18)
- Consistently ranked in the Top 100 Courses in America since 2009 (The Pete Dye Course)
ABOUT FRENCH LICK RESORT
French Lick Resort is a $600 million historic restoration and casino development project that includes West Baden Springs Hotel, French Lick Springs Hotel, Valley Tower Hotel and French Lick Casino. This Midwest premier resort destination features 756 guest rooms and suites; a 51,000 square-foot, single-level casino; 54 holes of golf including the fully restored 1917-designed Donald Ross Course at French Lick and the 18-hole Pete Dye Course at French Lick; two full-service spas with a combined 36 treatment rooms totaling 42,000 square feet; meeting and event space totaling 169,000 square feet; and an array of dining and entertainment options.
Media Contacts:
Tessa Higgs
Assistant Director of Marketing – Operations/PR
French Lick Resort
Mobile: (812) 788-1935
thiggs@frenchlick.com
Dave Harner
Director of Golf
French Lick Resort
Mobile: (812) 639-6857
dharner@frenchlick.com
