Shawnee Country Club golf course first opened for play in 1915. The course was designed by Donald J. Ross.
From the standpoint of play, the course has remained essentially the same since it was first opened, complete with the subtle challenges that typify the designer's work. Among the most notable- the small rounded greens surrounded by rolling and mounding, which adds complexity to even the shortest chip shots. There are no parallel fairways on the course, a rare luxury element that provides the golfer with a more interesting variety of views, as well as safer play.
The opening holes are challenging, but Donald Ross designed the first third of the course to be comparatively simple and non-punishing, essentially the "warm-up holes."
The back-to-back par fours from number nine through number twelve are among the longest and most challenging in the Midwest. Recent improvements to the 16th and 17th holes, including new bunkers and mounding have been completed, carefully keeping with the original Ross concept. The eighteenth hole was designed to be a match play tie-breaker; its severely sloped putting surface gives the edge to the golfer making the most skillful approach shot.
The Shawnee Country Club golf course measures 6,598 yards from the back tees and plays to a par-71. The course rating is 72.4 and the slope rating is 125.