The gates were never closed to the public at Indian Creek but today they feel more open than ever.
The iconic, public, Elkhorn golf destination invites the community to experience it in entirely new ways. Friends gather around state-of-the-art golf simulators, business owners meet over cocktails in beautifully curated dining spaces and families relax together on the outdoor patio, all set against sweeping views of the course. Here, the goal was never exclusivity, but rather creating a high-end experience that still feels approachable and welcoming.
From the minute you pull through the front gates you’ll realize care is reflected in every detail. For Indian Creek, creating a place where the community can connect, grow and have fun together is vitally important.
“We get to make people feel like they belong here and that this is their place,” explains General Manager Jim Nedrow. “We wanted to create a country club experience for a daily-fee customer.”
First Impressions
At Indian Creek, the elevated experience begins the moment guests walk through the doors.
“Our goal is if you walk in often you’ll be greeted by name,” Nedrow says. “If you’ve ever been to a luxury resort, it’s going to feel similar.”
Almost immediately, guests are welcomed into a personalized environment that redefines the traditional daily-fee golf experience.
“Our goal is to interact with our guests, especially those who come regularly,” Nedrow notes. “We strive to understand what they like to eat, drink and shop for.”
For Nedrow, the vision is rooted in the warmth and familiarity people feel at their favorite local gathering place.
“My daughter and I have a tradition of stopping at the same coffee shop every Monday,” he emphasizes. “It’s so fun to walk into a place where they know you and know your order without you saying a thing. That’s the kind of personalized service we strive to emulate here.”
Indian Creek first opened in the summer of 1992, and while intentional design updates have helped usher it into a new era, Nedrow emphasized that its hometown feel remains unchanged.
“We worked really hard not to alienate the guests who have been here since the beginning,” he states.
The attentive staff, intentional service and familiar atmosphere that longtime guests have come to love still remain.
“It will still feel the same to our long-time customers,” Nedrow reinforces.
The Sand Room
Few spaces embody Indian Creek’s renewed vision quite like The Sand Room.
What was once an unfinished basement filled with sand, machinery and golf carts has been transformed into a warm yet energetic lounge complete with golf simulators, large-screen TVs and a cocktail menu designed to appeal to every kind of guest.
“We have really fun craft cocktails, and you can also get a bucket of Busch Light,” Nedrow states with a smile. “It checks the box for everybody.”
The Sand Room was intentionally designed to feel welcoming to golfers and non-golfers alike.
“Male, female, younger, older, golfer, non-golfer, sports fanatic or non-sports fanatic — no matter who you are or where you are in life, there is a place for you here,” Nedrow says.
Warm lighting, cozy booths, refined finishes and comfort-driven cuisine all come together to create a space guests will want to return to again and again. The Sand Room is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., where hand-tossed, Neo-Neapolitan-style pizzas, sandwiches, starters and small plates take center stage. Guests can also enjoy dinner from 3 to 9 p.m., with a full menu. The Sand Room offers a warm and inviting setting for lunch, dinner and everything in between.
All-Year Play
And thanks to Indian Creek’s private simulator bays, guests don’t have to wait for warm weather to enjoy the game.
Three private bays equipped with state-of-the-art golf simulators allow players to sharpen their skills year-round.
“Winters can be tough and long and outdoor activities are often limited,” Nedrow mentions. “These simulators really empower people to continue developing their skills despite the weather.”
The bays have also become popular for family outings and group gatherings.
“You’ve got your own private party room, which is really great, and it’s an affordable way to play golf,” Nedrow explains. “There are all sorts of games within the simulator package that engage kids.”
Even beginners are encouraged to join in.
“You don’t have to know anything about golf to have a really fun time,” he says
Integrated seamlessly into The Sand Room lounge, the glass-paneled, soundproof bays provide enough privacy for guests to immerse themselves in the experience while still feeling connected to the energy of the space around them.
The simulators are rented by the hour and can be reserved online much like booking a tee time.
“It’s really affordable,” Nedrow states. “It’s $40 an hour on weekdays and $50 on weekends. If you split that among four or five people, you’re talking about $10 to $15 a person.”
Accessibility was also thoughtfully considered. Elevators deliver guests and their clubs directly to the bays, while staff members are available to assist with setup and answer questions.
Elevated Dining
The experience continues with Indian Creek’s chef-driven dining concept, Approach.
Offering a fresh take on neighborhood dining, the restaurant features signature dishes such as cedar salmon, alongside protein bowls, fresh salads, small plates and house-made pizzas.
“We have three chefs here at Indian Creek — Chef Alek, Chef Nico and Chef Kyle,” Nedrow shares. “What’s unique is that all three have a voice in shaping the menus for both Approach and The Sand Room.”
Working collaboratively, the chefs have created a dining experience that feels both elevated and accessible, blending seasonal ingredients with Midwestern influence and global inspiration.
Open year-round for lunch and dinner, Approach offers something for every occasion. Guests can enjoy a shared daytime menu between the Approach and The Sand Room, while evening service introduces a more elevated dining experience featuring steaks, seafood and chicken dishes.
Beyond the restaurant, catering is available for the many events hosted throughout the year in The Laurel Room, including weddings celebrated on the refreshed outdoor patio overlooking the course’s manicured greens.
Y’all Come Back
Ultimately, Indian Creek wants guests to experience more than luxury — though the refined atmosphere, chef-driven dining and state-of-the-art simulators certainly deliver that feeling.
What Indian Creek has truly set out to create is something deeper: a place for the community to gather, celebrate and belong.
It’s walking into a space where people know your name, remember your favorite drink and let you know the sunglasses you were eyeing now come in your favorite shade of orange.
The remodel reflects the same care and hospitality the Gottsch family has poured into Indian Creek since the beginning — a desire to build something lasting for the community they love.
And that is what continues to make Indian Creek feel so special.
“Male, female, younger, older, golfer, non-golfer — no matter who you are or where you are in life, there is a place for you here.”
More Than Golf
Indian Creek's transformation extends far beyond the fairways. With chef-driven dining, craft cocktails, year-round golf simulators and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces, the destination has evolved into a community hub where guests can connect, celebrate and unwind. While the amenities have been elevated, the mission remains the same: creating a welcoming experience where everyone feels at home, whether they're longtime golfers, first-time visitors or simply stopping in for dinner with friends.