By Mike May
When you make plans to visit southwest Indiana, possibly for Strassenfest in Jasper (August 4-7), you must set aside time to play the Sultan’s Run Golf Club. Designed by Tim Liddy, a protégé of Pete Dye, this 18-hole layout is one of the marvels of golf in Indiana.
The property on which Sultan’s Run now sits was once the home turf of the famous horse Supreme Sultan, who sired a record number of world champion American Saddlebred horses. In his honor the logo for Sultan’s Run features the silhouette of an American Saddlebred. Each hole at Sultan’s Run is named after a world champion horse sired by Supreme Sultan, Foxfire’s Prophet (4th), Magic Marvel (8th), Candledance (12th), Starpina (14th), and Bellissima (15th). Supreme Sultan’s presence can be felt as you walk the course. 
Sultan’s Run, which provides beautiful views of the scenic southern Indiana countryside, features rolling hills, wonderful bunkering, bent grass greens, and a beautiful waterfall behind the 18th green, which makes the perfect backdrop for a photo op of you and your golf buddies.
Only a handful of holes at Sultan’s Run don’t have some type of elevation change, plus water hazards exist on ten of the 18 holes at Sultan’s Run.
“The Sultan’s experience is unique in that we are secluded from the hustle and bustle of big-city noise,” said Jeff Howerton, head golf professional at Sultan’s Run. “Upon arrival at Sultan’s Run, the golfer only sees woods, lakes and the golf course, which is unusual in today’s time with housing developments and resorts. It’s a great experience coming to hole number 18 with the beautiful vista from the top of the hill while teeing off and culminating with the 18th green being surrounded by a rock wall, trees and the waterfall!”
The left-to-right dogleg par four 18th, the signature Hole at Sultan’s Run, is possibly the most dramatic home hole in Indiana. The tee shot is struck from a high perch to a wide, spacious, bunkered fairway in the distance. Don’t swing too much club on the uphill approach and airmail the putting surface, or you will get an up close an personal view with the afore-mentioned waterfall. Be sure to take in the view back down the 18th fairway to keep a fond memory of Supreme Sultan’s former homestead.
In 2015, Sultan’s Run was voted the #1 golf course in Indiana by the Indiana Golf Owners Association.
When you play Sultan’s Run, make plans to eat afterwards at the nearby Schnitzelbank German restaurant in Jasper. I highly recommend the German Sampler as an appetizer with either the wiener schnitzel or the schweine schnitzel, both served with German fries, for your entrée. The apple strudel, German chocolate pie, or the Black Forest cake are beyond compare will provide the perfect ending to your culinary experience at the Schnitzelbank.
You will be hard-pressed to discover a better 18-hole golf experience than Sultan’s Run. We think you will agree, it’s one of the marvels of golf in Indiana.
