There was a small town in Southern Indiana some 155 years ago that, believe it or not, did not have a name. Every time the residents came up with a recommendation, it seemed there was already a town in Indiana with that name. The 1852 Christmas Eve service had just concluded at the town’s little log church, which housed all of the town’s citizens. The only order of business that evening, which had
been the frustrating case before, was to figure out a name for the town. The esteemed and popular Reverend Christian Wyttenbach presided over the meeting and declined on the suggestion of “Wyttenbach, Indiana.” It appeared the meeting would again end in frustration when a fierce wind blew the door open. As the residents rushed from the wood burning stove to the door, the adults fell silent, but the children came to life. In the picturesque December evening was a scene of magical snowflakes with a deep blue background and somewhere out of sight, a faint sound of sleigh bells filled the forest. The children immediately shouted in choir like fashion what all of the adults were thinking…”SANTA CLAUS!” The town’s name was set. This small Indiana town now boasts one of Southern Indiana’s best golf facilities in Christmas Lake Golf Course. The 280 acre Edmund Ault layout opened for business in 1968. The course was purchased by Russ Winkler of Santa Claus in 2001 and has been steadily improving ever since. The course went from being a semi-private facility to a strictly public facility in 2001. Christmas Lake does offer a season pass package to the local players. A series of improvements to the course over the past 7 seasons have led to steadily increasing play from year to year. The “Silent Night Condominiums” are an exciting project for the course as well. Two and three bedroom condominiums are left of hole number 8. This is just another great improvement for the property. The first units opened in the Spring of 2008
The layout helps Christmas Lake stand out over many facilities. The front nine is long with the first hole progressing downward into Christmas Lake Village gated housing community. You play through the Village on the entire front nine coming back up hill gradually on number nine back to the clubhouse. The entire back nine winds through a beautiful hilly forest on the south side of the road with some great elevation changes. The course has sets of tees that measure 5142, 5758, 6238,6701, and 7275 yards. The course ratings range from 67.8 to 75.8. It’s a great facility for all levels of play and is a course that you are ready to play again as soon as you finish. This is a special time of year at Christmas Lake with people from all over the country calling for merchandise orders with the unique Golfing Santa Claus/Christmas Tree logo. CLGC sells a little bit of everything to all over. Outwear, Golf Shirts, Caps, Logo Golf Balls, Windshirts…they all make great Christmas gifts for your friends that play golf. People like to surprise their friends or family that have never heard of our facility with a piece of logo merchandise for the holiday season. A few years back, we shipped items to 41 different states in November and December. You can simply call the Toll free number (877-XMAS GOLF) to place an order (or send an email to [email protected]). Christmas Lake also has a few of the Tri State’s most popular tournaments. The Spring Two Man Scramble/Alternate Shot in Mayl, The Pepsi Cola Senior Amateur in July, The August Two Man Best Ball, and the infamous Nightmare Before Christmas Two Man Scramble in December. The “Nightmare” is set up at about 7400 yards with brutal pin placements. It is a true test of will with the average temperatures in the mid forties with a hint of wind. You can go to www.christmaslake.com to find out more about all of the tournaments at Christmas Lake. Don’t hesitate to visit Christmas Lake in the off-season. The rates will be $30.00 for 18 holes with cart seven days a week through the month of February. There will also be some great specials in both March and April. The “in season” rates are very competitive with all other facilities in the area. Some of the local hotels offer great stay and play packages at unbelievable prices for a great close getaway (check out the website for information). Holiday Word and Splashin Safari, Lake Rudolph Campground, Lincoln State Park, and Lincoln Boyhood Memorial and Living Farm are only three or four real solid tee shots away from the course which make Santa Claus a great two or three day destination. Christmas Lake boasts being a very popular outing destination as well. Not only is the course a top notch facility, but the staff does a fantastic job in helping set up and run outings. The ample indoor and outdoor banquet facilities/meeting rooms can accommodate groups of all sizes. We offer a great variety of food and beverage options in the “19th Hole” grill and bar and work with some of southern Indiana’s best caterers if we can’t make it in-house. The Golf Shop carries a little bit of everything golf related (and some things not golf related!) and offer a variety of services including Lessons, Club Fitting, Club Repair, and more. To learn more about Christmas Lake Golf Club, get on the web at www.christmaslakegolfclub.com or call toll free at 877-662-7465. The course is less than one hour from Evansville and Louisville only about 7 miles off of Interstate 64.
