The Battlefield Par-3 Golf Course at the esteemed lakefront Shangri-La Resort, a proud member of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts Latitudes collection, has recently been crowned the “Best New Attraction in Oklahoma” for 2023.
This prestigious accolade was bestowed by the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association (OTIA) at their annual RedBud Award ceremonies during the Oklahoma Tourism Conference in Edmond, OK, on June 11, 2024.
The RedBud Awards stand as the pinnacle of recognition within Oklahoma’s tourism industry, and this honour underscores the Battlefield Par-3 Golf Course’s exceptional appeal and innovative design.
Shangri-La Resort, located on northeastern Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, is no stranger to accolades, having previously been named “Best Lodging in Oklahoma” in 2018 and “Best Attraction in Oklahoma” in 2022.
The resort’s Anchor Activity Park also received the “Best New Attraction” award at the 2023 OTIA Awards Banquet.
The team representing Shangri-La at the ceremony included PGA Director of Golf Ryan Snyder, PGA Head Golf Professional Jerrod Neighbors, Head Golf Professional at The Battlefield Bradley Jumper, Director of Sales Dana Able, Director of Communications Mike Williams, and Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Amanda Davis.
They accepted the award from OTIA President & CEO James Leewright and Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Director Shelley Zumwalt.
The Battlefield Par-3 Golf Course, a remarkable 3,000-yard layout, is built on a stunning piece of land that features more than 100 feet of elevation change.
This $15 million project showcases a creative and strategic design, with each hole named in honour of an Oklahoma veteran of World War II.
The course boasts its own clubhouse, turn-house concessions, golf carts, a short warm-up facility, and a spacious putting green.
Designed by architects Tom Clark and Kevin Atkinson, with building designs by Mark Thomas, The Battlefield features Bermuda grass fairways and Bent Grass greens, mirroring the lush conditions of the 27-hole Championship course at Shangri-La.
Despite being a Par-3 course, the Battlefield offers a challenging experience with dramatic elevation changes and multiple tee boxes, allowing golfers to tailor the difficulty level to their preference.
“The Battlefield is a beautiful, captivating, and purposefully designed short course like no other,” says PGA Director of Golf Ryan Snyder.
“It’s an endlessly fun and engaging experience for golfers of every skill level that also recognizes our brave military personnel, with special commemorations to World War II veterans on every hole.
The course has an energy and excitement that, along with our renovated, world-class 27-hole championship course, elevates the golf experience at Shangri-La into the ‘Must Play’ category among the nation’s destination resorts.”
This par-54 course, featuring holes ranging from 110 to 245 yards, complements the acclaimed 27 championship holes at Shangri-La—the Legends, Heritage, and Champions courses.
Together, they form an extraordinary 45-hole golfer’s paradise, making it a top destination for golf enthusiasts nationwide.
“The Battlefield is a unique facility,” says Bradley Jumper, Head Golf Professional at The Battlefield.
“The piece of land is amazing for a Par-3. It’s great for players of all ranges—good players can make their game more difficult by changing tees.
The patio at the new clubhouse is sensational, offering spectacular views of the course in a very relaxing atmosphere.”
PGA Head Golf Professional Jerrod Neighbors adds, “The Battlefield is not like any Par-3 course golfers may have played.
The terrain is rugged, and with five tee boxes plus the close-up Felix tees, golfers can choose to make play as easy or as difficult as they like. It’s a wonderful, relaxed family atmosphere.
Players are going to want to spend a lot of time here. Every hole presents a different challenge, and the greens are tricky enough that even though every hole is a Par-3, we see a lot of three-putts,” he laughs.
Neighbors emphasized, “The Battlefield isn’t the typical Par-3. You’re not just using the same three clubs over and over.
Bring all your clubs—you can use them all! Play different tees, experience different games, mix it up, and have a great time. It’s a different experience every time you play.”
The Battlefield Par-3 Golf Course is open six days a week, closed on Wednesdays, while the Championship Course at Shangri-La is open for play seven days a week.
For more information, visit shangrilaok.com.
