Kokopelli Golf Course in Marion, Illinois, represents designer Steve Smyers's work in the southern Illinois region. Smyers, known for his strategic design philosophy and attention to natural landforms, brought his approach to this public facility that serves the greater Marion area. The course operates as an accessible daily-fee option in a part of Illinois where golf development has been more modest compared to the Chicago metropolitan region. The routing takes advantage of the rolling terrain characteristic of southern Illinois, where the landscape transitions from the flat prairies of the state's midsection toward more varied topography. Smyers typically emphasizes width off the tee paired with challenging approach play, rewarding thoughtful course management over pure distance. His designs often feature naturalized bunkering and green complexes that demand precision with short irons and wedges. Marion sits near the convergence of several major highways in the southernmost portion of Illinois, roughly equidistant from St. Louis, Nashville, and Indianapolis. The course serves both local golfers and travelers passing through this crossroads region. The facility provides a straightforward golf experience without the resort amenities or private club exclusivity found elsewhere, focusing instead on the core challenge of the layout itself. For golfers familiar with Smyers's portfolio—which includes higher-profile designs along the coasts—Kokopelli offers a chance to experience his design principles in a Midwestern public golf setting.