By Barry Willingham, President & CEO
Shangri-La Resort
The time has finally arrived. After more than a year of planning, designing, building and finalizing one of the most anticipated Par 3 golf courses in the country, The Battlefield officially opens for play on Cinco de Mayo – Friday, May 5.
With multiple tee boxes, plenty of water features and bunkers, a warm-up range, and a 10,000 square-foot practice putting green, our newest offering has caught the attention of feature story writers at Destination Golfer, Tee Times Magazine, Midwest Golfing, and Golf Oklahoma Magazine.
Having played the course myself, I can promise you it can be every bit as challenging as our Championship courses.
This new 18-hole course makes Shangri-La one of only a handful of clubs who offer 45 holes of challenging golf for players at every level.
The Battlefield facilities are operated totally separately from the other courses.
It has its own club house, golf shop, and turn house – and its own golf carts.
If you want to play The Battlefield, you will get your carts at The Battlefield club house – not the main club house.
The warm-up range is just for that, warming up to play the new course. If you want to practice your long drives, please continue to use the range at the main club house.
If you’re practicing putting, though, you may find the incredible 10,000 square foot practice green at The Battlefield more challenging.
The course will be open six days a week – closed on Wednesdays.
We have two special events at The Battlefield this month:
- The Battlefield Charity Challenge Tournament is scheduled for Thursday, May 25 benefiting 19 different Grand Lake area charities.
- The next day, Friday, May 26 is our first Battlefield Couples Mixer with a 5:00 p.m. shotgun start.
If you want to participate in the mixer, please contact the Golf Shop to reserve your space ASAP.
The Busy Golf Season is Here!
In addition to the opening of The Battlefield, the month of May offers plenty of choice activities for golfers.
Our Friday night “Yellow Rabbit Run” horse races are underway for another fun season of competition.
Both the Men’s and Women’s Golf Association seasons are underway, and golfers from throughout the region are reserving play dates at Shangri-La.
We have some special activities planned for the Memorial holiday weekend including the two special Battlefield events – the Charity Challenge and the Couples Mixer.
Dock Shots golf (with players trying to land their shots on a floating dock from the Grand Lake bluffs) is set for Saturday, May 27 (5:30-7:00), and our holiday Alternate Shot Horse Race is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 28.
If you need to sharpen your skills a little for the competitive season, PGA Instructor Joe Hassler is hosting special golf clinics every Friday and Saturday – Fridays for the ladies and co- ed tips Saturdays.
The clinics begin at 3:00 p.m. ($25). Pick your events and contact the Golf Shop to reserve your spot!
Even More Outdoor Fun!
The month of May means better weather and opportunities for all the outdoor fun we’ve all been missing for a few months.
In addition to lots of golf and all the outdoor tennis, pickleball, basketball, WIFFLE®Ball, and cornhole activities at The Anchor, the popular Pool Bar is now open at the hotel’s Resort Pool and our Thursday night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke fun on Doc’s patio us underway for another summer.
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens for the season at 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 19 with a great menu, all your favorite beverages and outstanding live entertainment.
We’ll kick off the musical offerings at Eddy’s Memorial weekend with Downbeat on Saturday night and Brett N’ Terri Sunday night.
We’ll have great live music at Eddy’s every Saturday night throughout the summer from such great entertainers as Usual Suspects, Torn, Whiskey Poet Society, Midas 13, Travis Kidd, Reverse Reaction, Hypnotic, and The Fabulous Two Man Band.
Expanded Hours at Doc’s, The Summit, and The Galley
Doc’s Bar & Grill now has extended hours of operation – open until 10:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and until midnight Fridays & Saturdays with a special late-night menu available for snacking from 10:00 p.m. until midnight.
In addition to the Thursday night karaoke fun, Doc’s continues to offer live entertainment every Friday night.
May entertainers include Kevin Price, Ryan Graham, Mark Gibson, and Clint Ingram.
The Summit Restaurant has a great new Summer Menu and expanded hours of operation.
The Summit is now open for lunch seven days a week (limited menu on Tuesdays & Wednesdays) and dinner service Thursday-Sunday.
The Galley at The Anchor also now offers food service seven days a week – 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays.
The Sports Bar at The Anchor provides service until 10:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and until midnight Fridays & Saturdays.
May Holiday Specials
We’ll be celebrating Cinco de Mayo as we open The Battlefield May 5. Doc’s will have a fun Mexican menu available – and the Summit will celebrate with a Cinco de Mayo Menu, as well.
Enjoy our drink specials at both Doc’s and The Galley at The Anchor. Mother’s Day is May 14 – one of the biggest dining adventures of the year at both Doc’s Bar & Grill and the Summit.
We will feature special Mother’s Day menus at both venues. Make your reservations early!
Boating Season
The arrival of springtime means the kickoff of another busy boating season on Grand Lake and our marina crew is anxious to see everyone.
Slip renters and Nichols Marine Customers will be partying at Eddy’s Saturday evening, May 6 at the “Shangri-La Marina/Nichols Marine Customer Appreciation Luau.” An in-water boat show at the marina is scheduled for the
weekend, as well.
Sail Grand boats and personal watercraft rentals are now available at the marina, along with yacht charters – and parasailing adventures begin Memorial Weekend.
Mitch Whitehead has added to the charter fleet.
In addition to the 64-foot Bluewater Yacht (30 passengers), we now also offer a 39-foot Princess Cruiser (8 passengers) and a 38-foot Chris Craft Launch (10 passengers).
Ask about the 10 percent discount available to Shangri-La members.
Get Your Kids Signed Up for Junior Golf
Sign-ups are underway for our constantly expanding programs for Junior golfers.
Our Junior Players Academy is scheduled for June 19-21 ($299 per player). This camp has grown significantly in the past ten years.
The 3-day camp includes instruction, daily lunch, and swimming following play. T-shirt, hat, prizes and lots of fun are included in this camp.
For the more serious youngsters, our Junior Skills Camp is scheduled for July 17-19 ($399 per player).
The focus of the Skills Camp is to identify each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to grow their game.
If your player shows a desire to play golf at a higher level, this camp is for them. This camp is for experienced golfers only.
Sign your kids up for either of these great camps by calling the Golf Shop at 918-257-7706 or email Rob Yanovitch directly at [email protected].
Tennis & Pickleball Camps and Summer Camp for Kids, Too
We know planning summer activities for kids is important – and we want to help you plan ahead.
In addition to golf opportunities, Coach Todd Kerr has also scheduled a Summer Tennis Camp June 5-7 and a Youth Pickleball Camp June 26-28.
The $250 camp fee includes a racquet (or paddle), hat, and T-shirt, in addition to the daily fun on the courts from 9:00 a.m. Noon.
For more information, contact the Racquet Club Pro Shop or email [email protected].
We have also planned a “Anchor Summer Camp” July 10-13.
The fun four-day camp will be filled with games, exercise, and friendship.
The $200 per child fee includes all activities including lunch.
Contact Shaun Tune at [email protected]. Both camps are open to the public.
It’s Time to Start Thinking “Fireworks”
Independence Day Fireworks are on the horizon – Monkey Island Fireworks will once again be fired from Shangri-La.
The official fireworks date for 2023 is Sunday, July 2.
The Monkey Island Fireworks Committee always does a fabulous job of raising revenue to fund this fabulous display but, of course, they need our help.
Let’s go ahead and get the ball rolling.
If you enjoy the fireworks celebration, please contribute to make sure there is funding for a fabulous show.
Shangri-La members may have contributions added to regular monthly billing by emailing Membership Services Coordinator Katelin Jumper and letting her know how much you want to contribute to the fireworks.
It will be added to your Shangri-La bill. Email your wishes and amount to [email protected].
If you would like to donate directly to the fireworks fund, make your check payable to Monkey Island Fireworks and mail to: Monkey Island Fireworks Committee, 30397 South 567 Road, Unit 63, Monkey Island, OK 74331.
With your help, it will be the best celebration ever!
Moving Ahead!
I can’t over-emphasize my gratitude for the continued support from all our incredible members offering encouragement and participation that enables us to constantly move forward to greater success with expanding venues and increased amenities.
Thank you for your support, your patronage, and your friendship through the years.
Our team is always here for you and your guests any time you are struck by the urge to Escape the Ordinary.
Let’s “Play the Threes!”
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