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Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

Omaha Country Club

82

Omaha, Nebraska

Established
1899
Architect
Wayne Stiles & John Van Kleek (original), Perry Maxwell (1951 major redesign), David Bennett (1983 remodel), Keith Foster (2006 renovation)
Access
Private
Par
Par 71
Length
4,701 – 6,973 yds
The verdict

Nebraska’s Classic Championship Proving Ground

Omaha Country Club is the signature private course in the state, blending more than a century of classic tradition with testing, high-contoured greens and tournament-proven challenge. While it’s not a universal pilgrimage for bucket-listers, regional players and serious golf travelers owe it a spot near the top of any Nebraska itinerary.

Course DNA
Difficulty
89
Scenery
75
Conditioning
90
Shot Variety
79
Walkability
67
Green Complexity
92
Wow Factor
73
Design Quality
84
At a glance

Quick facts

USGA Championship Host
Hosted the U.S. Senior Open in 2013 and 2021
Primary Grass Types
Bentgrass greens, cool-season fairways
Practice Facilities
Full range, including a driving range and short-game complex
Clubhouse Heritage
Features historic spaces like Maxwell’s Porch
Signature Design Influence
Perry Maxwell’s major green and hole renovation (1951)
Historic Women’s Event
Hosted the Women’s Trans-Mississippi Championship in 1972
Multiple Renovations
Renovated by Keith Foster (2006) and David Bennett (1983)
Longest Par 3
Hole 3 plays up to 250 yards from back tees
The design

The architecture

Omaha Country Club is a master-class in classic, traditional parkland golf, modernized by the bold vision of Perry Maxwell and refined again by Keith Foster. The design expertly leverages the site’s rolling Nebraska topography, threading holes over subtle hillsides and through mature corridors. Greens are OCC’s calling card—deceptive, intricately sloped, always demanding precision in both approach and recovery. Strategic angles matter throughout, and a continuous thread of shot-making challenge frames every round. Keith Foster’s careful restoration work polished what Maxwell left behind, resulting in a cohesive, championship-grade test infused with over a century of tradition.

Perry Maxwell’s renovation is the defining architectural force—his trademark green movement and approach-shot orientation drive OCC’s identity, updated and sharpened in later years by Keith Foster.

Defining features
  • Dramatic Maxwell-contoured greens that demand imaginative putting and chipping
  • A routing that flows naturally across hillside and high ground
  • Strategic demand for angles and positioning over raw power
  • Mixed-length par 4s and robust par 3 lineup
  • Refined, classic club landscaping with mature trees
  • World-class tournament set-up capability
Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 3

Hole 3

PAR
3
YARDAGE
250

The longest par 3 on the card, No. 3 is a daunting early-round separator where distance control and shot shape are paramount, especially to hold a fast Maxwell green. Miss anywhere but short and this hole may deal you a quick bogey.

Play it smart

Trust your long iron or hybrid and aim for the fattest part of the green. Take your medicine and avoid hunting tucked corners.

Where it bites

Over-club and you’re dead long; left and right run-offs are real bogey traps.

Course management

Shots to think about

Approaching Maxwell greens from the rough
Fly it to the safe side—short and on the correct tier beats flirting with tucked pins.
Par 5 second shots (holes 2, 6, 12, 16)
Aggression is tempting but position for your favorite wedge—hard misses bring double into play.
Tee shot on long par 4s (holes 8 and 10)
Hit the fairway at all costs; accepting a longer approach is smarter than risking the penalty rough.
Downhill putts with severe break
Play maximum break and be gentle—Maxwell greens will punish any excess pace.
Short par 4 decisions (hole 13)
Consider laying back for the angle; bold attempts can bring trouble but also reward.
Windy approach shots
Club up, trust your swing, and play for the middle—even center-green can mean tricky two-putts.
On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Meticulous private-club presentation with fast, true greens and championship-level maintenance throughout.

Pace

Deliberate but steady; expect championship pacing, especially on event days.

Vibe

Traditional, reserved, and clubby—expect a focus on golf, not resort-style amusements.

Before you tee off

Your game plan

01

Study sloped greens

Put in serious time on the practice green; Maxwell’s undulations reward study and imaginative chipping.

02

Prepare for long iron approaches

Several long par 4s and even a 250-yard par 3 will test your ball-striking comfort.

03

Bring your best position play

Aggressive drivers will find plenty of challenge, but managing angles and avoiding short-sides is key to scoring here.

The lore

How it came to be

  1. 1899

    Club founded and original course established

  2. 1951

    Perry Maxwell completes major redesign and green overhaul

  3. 1972

    Hosts Women’s Trans-Mississippi Championship

  4. 1983

    David Bennett remodels layout

  5. 2006

    Keith Foster leads extensive renovations

  6. 2013

    Hosts its first U.S. Senior Open (won by Kenny Perry)

  7. 2021

    Hosts U.S. Senior Open again (won by Jim Furyk)

Stories & legends

What makes it special

architecture

A Maxwell Makeover Sets the Stage

The club’s present identity took shape in 1951 when Perry Maxwell, legendary for his ingenious and demanding greens, renovated much of the layout—creating the bold contours and strategic premiums that define Omaha Country Club today.

tournament

Senior Stars Write New Legends

Kenny Perry’s closing birdie blitz in 2013 and Jim Furyk’s poised win in 2021 each transformed the U.S. Senior Open into signature moments in club history—proof that OCC stands up to the game’s biggest names and pressure.

history

A Club Steeped in Tradition

From its founding at the turn of the 20th century to its role as Omaha’s private club standard-bearer, OCC is rich with generational lore and a deep sense of continuity in the city’s sporting life.

clubhouse

Maxwell’s Porch: More Than a View

The refurbished club dining and bar area, named Maxwell’s Porch, is hallowed ground for members looking to swap tales overlooking the green slopes that bear the architect’s stamp.

For the group chat

Fun facts

1

Omaha Country Club has operated continuously for well over 120 years.

2

The club’s Maxwell’s Porch is a cherished member hangout with views of the finishing holes.

3

Jim Furyk’s 2021 U.S. Senior Open win at OCC was the third leg in his rare Senior Slam quest.

4

The course’s par-3 third hole stretches farther than many championship par 4s.

Build the trip

If you’re building an Omaha golf trip around it

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Warren Swigart Golf Course
Municipal

Best public-access value and warm-up round nearby; ideal prelude to OCC.

Tiburon Golf Club
Public

Accessible championship-style public course; excellent trip contrast.

Stone Creek Golf Course
Public

A reliable Omaha-area public with plenty of playability.

Player's Club at Deer Creek
Public

Upscale daily-fee course for a strong round after OCC.

Champions Run Golf Course
Private

Omaha’s other elite private option if you score an invite.

Downtown Omaha or the Aksarben/central Omaha corridor for easy access to OCC and nightlife.

Course DNA

If You Like Omaha Country Club

Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.

From the community

Community Sentiment

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