Wild Horse Golf Club: Special delivery in Gothenburg, Nebraska

GOTHENBURG, Neb. -- Golfers drive by a historic Pony Express station, originally built in 1854, on the way to Wild Horse Golf Club, located just north of Interstate 80 roughly 180 miles west of Omaha and 290 miles east of Denver.

Just like those brave riders back in the 1800s, Wild Horse Golf Club delivers the goods every time. Wild Horse, no. 88 on Golf Magazine's list of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play," costs no more than $66 per round, making it the most affordable top 100 course in the country.

The 7,002-yard Wild Horse, ranked no. 58 on Golfweek's list of best modern courses designed after 1960, has been influential in Nebraska's emergence as a unique inland golf destination. Wild Horse opened in 1999, the creative vision of Dan Proctor and Dave Axland. Part of the charm is its player-friendly motif.

There's no water on Wild Horse. Let your driver roam free on the wide fairways, as long as you don't send one deep into the prairie grasses lining every hole or roll into a blown-out bunker. There are four short par 4s, a figure more forgiving than most modern designs. The first, fifth, seventh and 15th holes all play less than 345 yards from the black tees, the second set that most people play.

The steer skulls that serve as 150-yard makers remind golfers this tiny outpost in the middle of nowhere was once the gateway to the Wild West. Yeehaw, cowboy, you're certain to have fun trying to tame this Wild Horse.

The Comfort Suites near downtown is good for a stay and play with a lighted outdoor putting green, outdoor hot tub and free hot breakfast.

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
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Wild Horse Golf Club: Special delivery in Gothenburg, Nebraska