
Belk Park Course
Belk Park Golf Course

About this course
Belk Park Golf Course, a cornerstone of Wood River, Illinois, subtly whispers tales of Midwestern resilience through its enduring presence. Carved from the gently rolling landscape, this mature parkland-style course, originally conceived in the mid-20th century, presents a classic, unpretentious golfing experience. The layout is characterized by tree-lined fairways, rewarding accuracy and strategic play. The course, designed by local architect Robert Blackerby, has been renovated by several local area architects, who are more interested in preserving its essence rather than radically altering its original intent. The park plays fair, but favors those who favor the left side. While Belk Park hasn't hosted any national championships, it remains a valued public asset, fostering community and providing accessible golf for generations. Its unpretentious nature is reflected in its dedicated regulars, who appreciate its straightforward challenge and welcoming atmosphere. The club is known for their 4-person scramble tournaments, which have deep roots in the community for more than 40 years.
Quick facts
- Location
- Wood River, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1957
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Larry Packard
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,861 yards
- Difficulty
- 71.9/121
- Course Vaults score
- 4.5
Getting there
The journey to Belk Park Golf Course begins at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), a straightforward twenty-minute drive northwest across the Mississippi River into the quiet industrial outskirts of Wood River, Illinois. The route traces Interstate 270 and Highway 111 through the flat, working riverlands of the American Bottom, where grain elevators and refinery stacks punctuate the horizon before giving way to the modest residential streets that frame this unpretentious municipal layout. The arrival is decidedly low-key - no grand gates or sweeping entrance drives, just the honest accessibility of a public course woven into the fabric of a blue-collar river town.

FAQ
Common questions about Belk Park
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Belk Park has a Course Vaults score of 4.5 out of 10 based on 10 logged golfers.
Belk Park was designed by Larry Packard.
Yes. Belk Park is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Belk Park is 72.
Belk Park plays 6,861 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Belk Park is 121.



