The golf party always rocks hard whenever The Golfography Experience comes to town. However, for the 2021 Arbor Links edition we decided to dial it down a notch and focus more on the charitable aspect of golf as well as the Dormie Network experience at Arbor Links.
With Channing Benjamin leading the Golfography charge, we invited just two of our favorite influencers, Hannah Leiner and Alejandra “Mami” to create some high quality Nebraska Golfography content. Even with an extremely high level of golf influencer talent, Arbor Links and it’s top tier golf barn still managed to steal the show.
Everyone knows that high quality Nebraska golf content begins and ends with corn. Fortunately, the corn is plentiful at Arbor Links and we took advantage immediately.
The girls tried their hands at corn modeling, but Channing and I clearly outperformed them. However, when it came to golf modeling, the girls brought their A game.
We came out of the corn in Nebraska to golf the E9 this evening. @ArborLinks @CBenjaminPhoto #EmergencyNine @DormieNetwork pic.twitter.com/5NC4c7B3Xu
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) July 25, 2021
After the corn modeling was complete, I sat down with Channing Benjamin to discuss the topic of diversity and inclusivity that our little foursome clearly portrays. With the recent boom in golf’s popularity, a wider group of people are enjoying the game. Golfers are coming from different socioeconomic groups, different races, and places that have historically not had access to our great game.
It’s not just old white men playing golf anymore and some of golf’s racial and sexist stereotypes are slowly fading away. For myself and Channing, these changes can’t come soon enough. When Channing talks about “growing the game” he is talking about inclusivity, diversity and access for everyone that has a desire to play the game. The Golfography Experience plays a small part in extending that vision for the future of golf.
To make good on this vision, the Golfography Experience at Arbor Links is going to provide an all inclusive experience to either The First Tee or Women of Color Golf. The boys team was going to play for The First Tee and the ladies were playing in support of Women of Color Golf. The winning team will earn a spot for their charity in an upcoming Golfography Experience.
“Inclusivity is a big part of what we are about and we want to offer that same experience to someone who otherwise wouldn’t be able to come to something special like this.”
Over the course of two days at Arbor Links we played a pair of 2 on 2 matches for the charitable giveaway. It was a classic boys vs the girls showdown. The first day was a total massacre for the fellas and the match was over after just 13 holes of golf. Channing and I had plenty of excuses for our loss, but the girls and the golf course had simply gotten the best of us.
“I think the girls are using some sort of PEDs.”
“I think the new golf balls I put into play are actually larger than the hole.”
The 5th hole on the #5 best private club in Nebraska
The short and splendid 11th hole at Arbor Links
At 7,190 yards from the back tees, Arbor Links give even the most seasoned golfer all that they can handle. Precise tee shots are required on most of the golf holes and if you don’t execute your first shot well, the struggle to make par will be very real. The good news is that Arbor LInks does an excellent job of providing different tee box options for all skill levels. The image below should give you a good idea of their frequency.
The view from above the 3rd hole. Not only is that snack shack conveniently placed, but it is loaded with goodness.
After the tough defeat, Channing and I woefully retired to our fine Dormie Network accommodations. All of the lodging at Arbor Links is on site so we only needed to drove our carts a short distance as we sobbed over the day’s loss.
Arbor Links has these cottages that they refer to as Four-Plex suites with four bedroom/bathroom suites and a common space. The cottages have a rustic vibe to them but still make it cozy enough so that each guest experiences the ultimate comfort. Most importantly, each cottage offers an abundance of snacks and drinks ready for consumption. I got a couple of peanut butter cups in my stomach early and could already feel the competitive fire begin to return.
The cottages at Arbor Links snuggle nicely in between the 17th and 18th holes. Photo: Channing Benjamin
In addition to the peanut butter cups, I also enjoyed one of the finest meals that I had had in a long time. It was steak and potatoes and nobody does it like Arbor Links. I didn’t take any pictures, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.
Channing and I were fully fueled and ready to dominate.
The green on the par 5 4th hole can provide some headaches with a back left pin.
As the sun rose over the stunning landscape at Arbor Links, the very next day, Channing and I knew that we were destined to even the score. Channing and I knew that we had to play a tighter game off of the tee and vibe as a team. With the greens at Arbor Links as pure as they come, it was only a matter of time before the putts were going to drop.
“There is no way the boys are going to lose today.”
“If you want to concede the match on the 1st tee, we will allow it.”
The confidence was obviously not a problem as the match began. Even when Hannah rolled in a birdie putt on the very first hole, we were not deterred. A bounce back birdie by the boys on the second hole evened the match and the gentlemen were 3 up after nine holes of golf. On the back nine, the girls distracted us with synchronized swings and tunnel vision poses. Channing and I survived the psychological warfare but only managed to hold onto a 1 up lead as we stepped onto the 18th tee box.
Tunnel Vision 👀 @pxg @PatrickjKoenig @GolfographyE pic.twitter.com/DbiXV4yoGa
— Hannah B. Leiner (@hannahbleiner) July 26, 2021
The 18th hole at Arbor Links is one of the most difficult holes on the golf course and requires to well placed shots if you are looking to make an easy par. If you happen to make birdie, there is complimentary cinnamon whiskey that awaits you behind a secret compartment in that golf barn.
After Hannah missed a heartbreaker for her par, I simply needed to two putt from 10 feet to secure the victory. Naturally I blew my first putt by the hole just to make things interesting. I heard a several “meat on that bone” and “still some pizza in that box” comments but I wasted no time in banging that 4 footer right into the cup.
With the match tied at 1-1, it was determined that both the First Tee and Women of Color Golf should receive a spot in an upcoming Golfography Experience. Even though there was no official winner, the mission at Arbor Links will be a success when we welcome our new guests at an upcoming Experience.
The boys v girls rubber match will remain on the horizon as the WSGA required my presence in Wisconsin for my official summer internship duties.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member of the Dormie Network and Arbor Links, just send me a message. If you need more Arbor Links Golfography content, be sure to check my Instagram highlight.