Kokopelli GC in Marion, ILL is a 1996 Steve Smymers design. One of the characteristics of a Smyers course is an extensive amount of bunkers. Aesthetically it is great but if you are the course owner it demands many manhours to maintain them. I was told the course was sold two years ago and the new owner has already removed half of the over 100 bunkers. Most of the remaining bunkers are in transition to new sand which has yet to arrive. So if you can get past the poor condition of the bunkers and the recent top dressing this actually is a pretty good course which next season I would hope presents itself better.
I have played several Smymers courses with the now defunct Wolf Run one of the most difficult I have ever experienced. Who could have thought that a course with a slope of 136 on the easiest set of tee's might have a problem? It was one of the most asethetic bunker designs I had played at the time. The major problem was once you got not far off the fairway the thick grass was up to your knees. My partner lost all their balls by the 17th hole and I finished with hardly a ball left. Go to the Slideshow section above and click on Wolf Run to view a beautiful golf course.
Kokopelli has several interesting holes, the 146 yd par3 5th is it's top one shot hole. It is adjacent to nice lodging options that a group of out of town golfers could stay in. #7 lives up to it #1 handicap rating and all the Par 5's are strong holes. The staff was very friendly and the clubhouse is able to host large receptions with a teaching center on the ground floor. GOLD rated
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RHEJTiQfJNSVQk6j8
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