Today In Golf Course Closure News: Indianapolis' Wolf Run And The Place Ike Loved In Aurora

Lindsey Erdody and Anthony Schoettle of the Indianapolis Business Journal detail the long forecasted and now very-real plans of owner Stan Burton to develop the Steve Smyers-designed Wolf Run.

The course was once ranked as high as 20th in Golfweek's list of best Modern Courses and currently sits in Golf Digest's second Top 100, making it the most acclaimed course to close since the 2008 market crash and correction.

Mike David, director of the Indiana Section of the PGA, said Wolf Run Golf Club owners have been trying to find a buyer or potential developer for the land for several years.

“Nationwide, Wolf Run would be one of the highest-profile closures,” David said. “The closure of this course—if it happens—would be significant news locally and beyond.”

Wolf Run, which first opened in 1989, has on multiple occasions been rated as central Indiana’s most difficult golf course, according to U.S. Golf Association slope ratings.

That might have been part of Wolf Run’s problem.

“It is an absolutely beautiful course. But it is challenging. You have to be pretty good to enjoy that course. It might not be the place where you would take the family or your kids,” David said. “That course is simply too hard for a segment of the golf population.”

Meanwhile in Aurora, Colorado,  demand to play historic Fitzsimons Golf Course delayed it's very sad closing.

Melissa Garcia reports on the demise of a course once played many times by former President Dwight Eisenhower, complete with another Ike's Tree.

The very sad video report: