The Landmand Golf Club in rural Nebraska has become the toughest place to book a tee time in the U.S., with its 11,000 available slots disappearing in under an hour on New Year's Eve. For Josh Gardner and Jared Stiver, two regular golfers from Wyoming, this meant a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on the course's inaugural tournament, The Heartbeat. The course, carved out of the treeless Loess Hills, is nearly 600 acres, with fairways as wide as football fields and greens that are massive, with gradients rising to 25%. The experience was unlike anything they had imagined, with a scale that was hard to describe. The course's architects and owner, Will Andersen, were on hand to explain the Landmand concept and history, and their passion and detail gave Gardner and Stiver a unique perspective. The duo presented Andersen with a spur with hearts cut into it and a copper shot glass from their hometown Mint Bar, leaving a lasting impression on the course's owner. The golf itself was a challenge, with the course's enormity and the howling Wyoming-esque winds, but Gardner and Stiver managed to finish in 19th place out of 52 teams. Despite their golf egos still bruised, they are already planning their next adventure, with Gardner stating that they will be ready to get hurt again. The experience left a lasting impression on the duo, and they are now enjoying their few minutes of golf-envy fame back home, with Landmand being the talk of the town. For those who win the lottery and land a tee time, Gardner's advice is simple: just experience it, because it's an unforgettable adventure.
