Johnny Goodman at Johnny Goodman Golf Course

Johnny Goodman Golf Course is Omaha's accessible tribute to its hometown champion, a public course where golfers chase echoes of the city's own improbable Open winner.

This parkland layout, sculpted across gently rolling Nebraska terrain in the heart of the city, is known for its mature trees lining many fairways and subtle elevation changes that test course management more than raw power. The late architect, Graham Marsh, created the course, designing it to favor accuracy over distance, with doglegs and strategically placed bunkers requiring thoughtful shot-making.

While Goodman isn't a stop on the professional circuit, its significance lies in its connection to a local legend. Stories circulate of Goodman himself playing the course in his later years, offering tips to awestruck amateurs. It is a place where Omaha golfers connect to the history of the game within their own community. Many of these golfers know that the course’s namesake remains the last amateur to win the U.S. Open (1933). The club hosts several local amateur events annually, continuing Goodman’s commitment to amateur golf.

While it may not appear on global lists, Johnny Goodman Golf Course offers more than a round of golf; it's a living memorial to Omaha's golfing hero, a place where the spirit of the game is nurtured and passed down. The 19th hole is known locally for its hearty, no-frills clubhouse fare, mirroring the grounded nature of the course itself.