Discover GrayBull Club: Nebraska Sandhills Golf Trip Destination
Every Detail Built with Your Best-Ever Midwest Golf Trip in Mind
GrayBull Club | Maxwell, Nebraska
GrayBull Club is Dormie Network's seventh masterpiece to join the national collection of stay-and-play golf destinations. Located in the Nebraska Sandhills, amidst the largest sand dune formations in the Western Hemisphere, GrayBull is at the heart of America’s holy land for golf.
As Dormie Network’s first ground-up build, GrayBull redefines golf trip destinations and entertainment. Remote yet accessible to members from coast to coast, it's the ideal Midwest group stay-and-play. Every detail, from world-class facilities to top-notch service, is designed with the group’s best interests in mind. Whether you’re planning a Nebraska Sandhills golf trip with friends or hosting a corporate retreat, GrayBull provides a seamless, all-inclusive experience. Expect impeccable links golf, luxurious accommodations, fresh farm-to-table cuisine, and customized services tailored to each group’s needs. Here’s a look into one of America’s top golf trip destinations, GrayBull, starting with how it all began.
GrayBull’s Origin Story
“If it speaks to him, he’ll make the move,” said Dormie Network Chief Operating Officer Mark Ruhga in 2018 when describing President Zach Peed's approach to acquiring properties for the Network.
The Nebraska Sandhills didn't just speak; they called.
In 2021, Dormie Network’s next move in the golf travel industry solidified: an accessible yet secluded group golf trip destination in Nebraska, built from the ground up in the Sandhills. But this location isn’t just any ordinary land, and the choice of golf course architect was key to bringing the vision to life.
“From our first round of golf together at Bandon Dunes in 2021, we clicked,” said Zach Peed, Dormie Network President, of his no-brainer choice of course architect, David McLay Kidd.
The pair worked together to select the land that would ultimately become Dormie Network’s seventh heaven club and first bespoke build, but it didn’t come easy.
After months of seeing proposed sites that didn’t tick all the boxes—great golf terrain, sandy soil, unspoiled views—David McLay Kidd was pitched a parcel that was part of a ranch. He loved it from the moment the topo charts loaded on his computer, and Dormie Network set about acquiring almost 2,000 acres from the rancher. — Golfweek
The land was not ideal for ranching. Ranchers want flat land, golfers don’t. So a fortuitous match was made in Maxwell, Nebraska.
“Being a direct influence on land selection is rare in the industry, which makes it even more exciting to build,” said Kidd. “Golfers want to go to a place and actually experience the place, and golf is the excuse for doing so. This land is special—there’s nothing but you and Mother Nature in its rawest, simplest, most beautiful form.”
In June 2022, the vision became a reality when GrayBull broke ground. Later in November 2023, Dormie Network assembled the team that would lead this club to being a top Midwest golf trip destination in the country for group stay-and-plays. But as fate would have it, every triumphant story must have a setback. On February 26th, 2024, Mother Nature decided to act. The Betty’s Way Fire, a massive wildfire scorched the region of western Nebraska, with GrayBull in its path. Thanks to preventative measures in place and swift actions of the GrayBull team, led by Director of Agronomy Michael Sheely, the course was unscathed, and construction remained on schedule.
GrayBull’s opening in August 2024 marked the realization of a dream—a dream built on the principles of exceptional golf, seamless service, and an unwavering commitment to group entertainment.
Group Travel and Entertainment
Group entertainment on the GrayBull clubhouse porch
A true Midwest stay-and-play destination, GrayBull caters to the needs of groups of all sizes, making it an ideal golf club to bring your friends and colleagues alike. GrayBull opened on day one to the Dormie standard of first-class facilities, pristine course conditions, and cottages onsite for members to make the most of the evening entertainment available at Network tournaments and private events.
Travel routes to GrayBull in the Nebraska Sandhills
One standout element of GrayBull Club is its strategic location. Peed explains: "It was a delicate balance: we wanted the club to be accessible from the airport, but far enough away to feel like an escape. GrayBull is the gateway to the Nebraska Sandhills." Nearby airports include North Platte Regional Airport (22 miles), Searle Field in Ogallala (80 miles), Kearney Regional Airport (100 miles), and Denver International Airport (280 miles).
GrayBull Course Design by One of the Modern Masters
“The best of the best have worked here, and I want to be in that group. Adding GrayBull to the great list of courses that are in the Sandhills is a huge honor, and I'm hoping that it can rub shoulder to shoulder with the other courses out here that are all phenomenal,” says David McLay Kid.
The Nebraska Sandhills didn’t just call Dormie Network, they were also calling David McLay Kidd. “The site is extremely unique. It’s like nothing I have ever seen before," said Kidd. Famous for his masterpieces like the aforementioned Bandon Dunes, Mammoth Dunes, and Gamble Sands, Kidd was eager to leave his mark in the Sandhills with GrayBull.
“This site, it’s like the Goldilocks thing: not too flat, not too steep. It’s kind of in a bowl that looks inwards, and there are no bad views. It’s wide open, no big roads, no visual contamination – ticks all the boxes.”
– David McLay Kidd
Born and raised in Scotland and son of a golf course superintendent, golf course architect McLay Kidd has been immersed in the sport his entire life. McLay Kidd and his DMK Design Team’s philosophy is to unearth courses rather than impose their views upon them. GrayBull’s course design focuses on ensuring an enjoyable golf experience for players of all skill levels, striking a perfect balance between challenge and playability. Each hole has been meticulously crafted to offer both risk-reward shots for the skilled golfer and generous bailout areas for those still mastering the game.
“The knowledge DMK and his team bring to the table has been incredible and provides an impeccable backdrop for our team’s hospitality and focus on the experience of each member and guest,” said Peed. “Having every touchpoint from course to cottage centered on hospitality is going to make GrayBull one of the greats.”
“What McLay Kidd has created at GrayBull is an incredible inland links-style layout on a massive canvas, with angles and avenues that encourage golfers to think their way through like a chess match." - Erik Matuszewski, Forbes Contributor.
The Clubhouse at GrayBull
GrayBull Club’s atmosphere and design are inspired by the land's ranching origins. The clubhouse, designed by Sinclair Hille, rests harmoniously in the beautiful, undisturbed landscape of the Nebraska Sandhills. Its wood-clad exterior and long low roofline allow the structure to blend into the surrounding grasslands. Inside, you’ll be greeted by an open concept with a warm and distinctive rustic quality, using wood ceilings and walls and hints of aged metals as a frame to panoramic views of the course through its large picture windows. Situated atop a ridge with a southeast-facing patio, the clubhouse offers breathtaking views of the rolling sandhills.
“Sitting on top of the ridge by #1 tee and #18 green is one of the best views you will ever get in the Sandhills,” said Peed. “Seeing hints of the course pop in and out of the rolling hills form the patio is going to be tough to beat.”
The Party Barn at GrayBull
Unique to this Network property is the addition of a Party Barn. Sliding barn style doors greet you to where conversation flows and drinks stay full. This all-new event space is great for large group entertainment, hosting dinners (12+ people), and private business meetings. With its cement floors, rustic wood walls and ceiling beams, aluminum-clad bar, stone fireplace, and a faux rust aluminum GrayBull logo, it blends rustic charm with modern comfort, making you feel right at home on the ranch.
The Comfort Station at GrayBull
GrayBull’s comfort station amidst the Sandhills
Much more than a snack shack, the comfort station located near the #3 and #9 green (also easily accessible from #14 via path), offers a respite from the sun and a refresh to your cart cooler. Whether you’re looking to grab a quick bite or take a break, this stop has you covered. The station is stocked with a variety of fan-favorite snacks, from savory beef jerky to refreshingly sweet Transfusion slushies. For something more substantial, don’t miss the daily homemade Runzas—freshly made. With its laid-back atmosphere and selection of delicious treats, the comfort station is the perfect place to recharge before hitting the next hole.
The Owner’s Cottages at GrayBull
GrayBull is unique to the Network in that it has two Owner’s Cottages in addition to 13 Executive Cottages. Each Owner’s Cottage totals 5,408 square feet over two levels. With a variety of spaces for relaxation and play, these unique lodging options also feature a private chef’s kitchen for bespoke culinary experiences cooked to your specifications by the Executive Chef Joey Falco.
The lower-level highlights include a pool table, golf simulator, TVs, and bar—the ideal post-round activities. The upper level showcases an expansive common area with high arched ceilings and exposed wood beams, a spacious living room with a fireplace and TV, and a formal dining room. The staircase, framed by two stories of windows, floods the space with natural light and offers stunning views of the Sandhills. Every inch of the Owner’s Cottage is designed to make your group stay-and-play as comfortable as it is memorable.
The Bonus Golf Experience at GrayBull
McLay Kidd’s layout offers a unique experience to settle the score after a round: the bonus golf loop from #4 through #9, circling around the comfort station. The course's intriguing layout, combined with the absence of true cart paths, ensures a captivating and immersive golfing journey.
“It’ll be perfect for golden hour,” hints Peed. “The experience and reveals from green to tee are going to be incredible. Wandering in and out of the hills, you’ll have moments where you’ll wonder where to go next, and the entire round will feel like an adventure.”
With a commitment to excellence and a focus on group entertainment, GrayBull is a must-visit golf trip destination for golf enthusiasts and those seeking a memorable group stay-and-play experience—one you won’t soon forget.
