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Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

The Country Club of St. Albans (Lewis and Clark Course)

76

St. Albans, Missouri

Established
1992
Architect
Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,134 – 7,332 yds
The verdict

Missouri’s Premier Championship Challenge

The Lewis and Clark Course at St. Albans delivers a big-league, Weiskopf/Morrish test built for top-level competition. State-ranked and deep in championship pedigree, it’s a destination for serious Midwestern golf pilgrims ready for a demanding round on vast, windswept land.

Course DNA
Difficulty
84
Scenery
73
Conditioning
81
Shot Variety
77
Walkability
68
Green Complexity
74
Wow Factor
72
Design Quality
76
At a glance

Quick facts

Championship pedigree
Host of USGA Men’s State Team and sectional qualifiers
Par-5 strength
Three par 5s on each nine
Notable back-to-back tests
6th and 7th are the longest par 5 and par 3
Designers
Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish
State ranking
#11 in Missouri (Golf Digest 2025–26)
Spirit of exploration
Lewis & Clark theme runs throughout
Major renovations
$3.5M Weiskopf-led bunker and drainage upgrades, 2016
The design

The architecture

Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish sculpted the Lewis and Clark Course across dramatic river valley contours, weaving generous fairways, broad bunkering, and large, nuanced greens into a setting both intimidating and rewarding. Their routing takes full advantage of the rolling landforms and recurring breezes off the valley, balancing hallmark power holes with opportunities for daring lines or strategic lay-ups. Though marketed as 'links-style,' the course’s real DNA is that of a championship parkland with open expanses, natural grasses, and big, bold features—an imposing test meant for top-level play yet enjoyable for any golfer prepared to take it on.

Weiskopf and Morrish brought a blend of modern championship challenge and nods to traditional strategy, ensuring each hole rewards bold thinking and precise execution.

Defining features
  • Six par 5s—three on each nine
  • Wide fairways framed by deep bunkering
  • Large, contoured championship greens
  • River valley exposures with shifting winds
  • Strategic risk/reward driveable and three-shot holes
Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 6

The Valley Marathon

PAR
5
YARDAGE
609

At 609 yards, the 6th is a true three-shot brute that sweeps down and rises, demanding both accuracy and patience. Its length and contour make it the ultimate test of sequencing shots and disciplined layups.

Play it smart

Play for position off both tee and second, avoiding bunkers that pinch ideal lines. Setting up a manageable approach is key.

Where it bites

Over-aggression on second shots flirts with cavernous bunkers and awkward sidehill lies—par is excellent.

Course management

Shots to think about

Long par 3 into headwind
Add at least one club, favor short center; don’t chase tucked pins.
3-shot par 5 approach decision
Lay up to your favorite wedge yardage, playing away from bunker clusters.
Crosswind tee shot on a tight par 4
Choose a line that leaves the widest landing zone, even if it means a longer second.
Back nine pressure
Play for center greens on 15–18 and avoid forced heroics; par is gold.
Sidehill lie in fairway
Level your shoulders, allow for slope; resist over-committing to a hero shot.
Short par 4 risk-reward tee
If driving the green, commit fully or lay back for a full wedge—the penalty for indecision is deep rough or sand.
Fast downhill putt
Focus on speed more than line; misses tend to run out far.
On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Excellent, with championship mowing heights and firm, fast greens.

Pace

Pace is steady but rounds linger on busy tournament or member days; allow extra time.

Vibe

Traditional private club with a sense of occasion and championship history.

Before you tee off

Your game plan

01

Sharpen Long-Iron Game

Practice long irons and hybrids—par 3s and par 4s demand precise ball-striking from 180+ yards.

02

Study Wind Forecasts

Local valley breezes change direction and intensity—arrive early to dial in shot shapes and club selection.

03

Condition for Hilly Terrain

Expect undulating walks with some longer green-to-tee transitions; fitness helps your closing holes.

04

Brush Up on Bunker Play

Cleverly-placed bunkers await mis-hits, so be ready with your sand technique.

The lore

How it came to be

  1. 1991

    Club and Lewis & Clark Course announced

  2. 1992

    Lewis & Clark Course opens for play

  3. 1996

    Host of USGA Men’s State Team Championship

  4. 2006

    Tavern Creek Course ranked #1 in Missouri by Golf Digest

  5. 2016

    Bunker and course infrastructure renovation

  6. 2017

    Host of Junior PGA Championship (Rose Zhang, Akshay Bhatia winners)

  7. 2026

    To host 36th Metropolitan Amateur Championship

Stories & legends

What makes it special

Championship Dream

A Championship Vision Realized

From its inception, Lewis & Clark was scoped for championship play, with layouts bold enough for the U.S. Open dream and an ambition realized via USGA, state, and major amateur events. Players sense this pedigree from the opening tee.

Theme & Lore

Explorers’ Legacy in Course Lore

The naming, routed through the rolling Missouri River valley, honors the journey of Lewis and Clark—an atmosphere of frontier challenge and discovery runs through every round, instilling a sense of history beyond the card.

Finishing Drama

Fortitude on the Back Nine

Competitors tell of the relentless test through holes 15–18—grueling, strategic, and engineered to weed out the timid. Many a title has been decided by the wayward or brave shot down this vital stretch.

For the group chat

Fun facts

1

Both courses were designed with championship tournament use in mind.

2

The property’s naming pays tribute to the Lewis and Clark expedition.

3

Hosted both Rose Zhang and Akshay Bhatia’s Junior PGA championship victories in 2017.

4

Three par 5s per nine—unusual in modern championship design.

5

A $3.5 million Weiskopf-led course update debuted in 2016.

Build the trip

If you’re making a west St. Louis golf trip out of it

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Tapawingo National Golf Club
Public

27 holes by Gary Player—welcoming, strong public test with risk/reward.

Missouri Bluffs Golf Club
Public

Tom Fazio design on rolling bluffs—one of the area’s best daily fee plays.

Pevely Farms Golf Club
Public

Dramatic elevation changes and open shots just 30–40 minutes away.

Chesterfield/Spirit of St. Louis Airport area for golf access and amenities.

Course DNA

If You Like Lewis and Clark Course

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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