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
1991
Club and Lewis & Clark Course announced
1992
Lewis & Clark Course opens for play
1996
Host of USGA Men’s State Team Championship
2006
Tavern Creek Course ranked #1 in Missouri by Golf Digest
2016
Bunker and course infrastructure renovation
2017
Host of Junior PGA Championship (Rose Zhang, Akshay Bhatia winners)
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.
Community Sentiment
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