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The Battlefield Par 3 Golf Course at Shangri-La Resort, part of Crescent Hotels & Resorts’ Latitudes collection, received the prestigious RedBud Award from the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association for “Best New Attraction in Oklahoma in 2023.” This recognition was bestowed during the OTIA RedBud Award ceremonies at The Oklahoma Tourism Conference in Edmond, OK on June 11, 2024.

Known as the highest honor in Oklahoma’s tourism industry, the RedBud Awards celebrate excellence. Shangri-La, situated on Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma, has previously been lauded as “Best Lodging in Oklahoma” in 2018 and named “Best Attraction in Oklahoma” in 2022. Additionally, the Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La earned the title of “Best New Attraction” at the 2023 Awards Banquet.

Accepting the award were Shangri-La’s PGA Director of Golf Ryan Snyder, PGA Head Golf Professional Jerrod Neighbors, and Head Golf Professional Bradley Jumper, alongside Director of Sales Dana Able, Director of Communications Mike Williams, and Grove Area Chamber of Commerce’s Amanda Davis. Oklahoma Travel Industry Association President & CEO James Leewright and Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Director Shelley Zumwalt presented the honor.

The Battlefield, a 3,000-yard layout designed by architects Tom Clark and Kevin Atkinson, with building designs by Mark Thomas, showcases Bermuda grass fairways and Bent Grass greens similar to the resort’s Championship course. Each hole is dedicated to an Oklahoma WWII veteran, set on varied terrain with over 100 feet of elevation change. The course offers amenities such as its own clubhouse, turn house concessions, golf carts, a warm-up facility, and an expansive putting green.

Golfers can choose from multiple tee boxes, altering the course’s difficulty to suit their skill level, though the dramatic elevation changes present a challenge for all players.

“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 engaging par-54 course, offering holes ranging from 110 to 245 yards, complements Shangri-La’s renowned 27 championship holes—Legends, Heritage, and Champions courses—set gracefully along the shores of the expansive Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees. Together, they create a remarkable 45-hole golf haven, enticing buddy trip groups and golf enthusiasts nationwide to make it a must-visit destination.

“The Battlefield is a unique facility,” said Bradley Jumper, Head Golf Professional at The Battlefield. “The facility is obviously beautiful. 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 club house is sensational. It’s a spectacular view of the course and a very relaxing atmosphere.”

PGA Head Golf Professional Jerrod Neighbors assures players that The Battlefield stands apart from any other Par 3 course they may have experienced. The rugged terrain offers a unique challenge, while the availability of five tee boxes, including the nearby Felix tees, allows golfers to tailor their experience to their desired level of difficulty.

“It’s a wonderful, relaxed family atmosphere at The Battlefield,” Neighbors says. “It’s a place where players are going to want to spend a lot of time. It’s a really fun course, but it’s challenging. Every hole has a different challenge. There are no cookie-cutter holes on this course; and the greens are difficult enough that, even though every hole is a Par 3, we actually see a lot of three-putts,” he laughs.

“It’s not like the typical Par 3,” Neighbors says. “At most Par 3 courses you find yourself using the same three clubs over and over. The Battlefield isn’t like that.  Bring all your clubs. You can use them all! Play different tees. Experience different games. Mix it up. Play different tees. And have a great time. It can be a different experience every time you play.”

The Battlefield welcomes golfers six days a week, with Wednesdays being its designated closure day. Meanwhile, the Championship Course at Shangri-La is open for play every day of the week.