near Columbia, Missouri · Lake of the Ozarks & Columbia
L.A. Nickell Golf Course
Built in 1953 by the Cosmopolitan Club and the Jaycees and renamed for the two L.A. Nickells in 1983. Zoysia fairways, bentgrass greens, open all winter.
- 18Holes
- 70Par
- 6,231Yards
- MissouriLocation
- municipal (City of Columbia)Access
About L.A. Nickell Golf Course
L.A. Nickell is Columbia’s city course in Cosmo Park, the 533-acre park on the northwest side. It’s a par 70 from every tee, 6,231 yards from the blues and 4,684 from the reds, on ground the city describes as flat with rolling hills. Mature trees and a few lakes shape it, but the landing areas are generous, so it’s an easy place to bring a newer player.
It started in 1953 as the Columbia Municipal Golf Course, built by the Cosmopolitan International Club and the Junior Chamber of Commerce with the city’s parks department. Kansas City pro Earl "Smiley" Bell laid out the first nine; its old 1st hole, 405 yards, is today’s 10th. The back nine came in 1968, believed to be the work of retired Columbia Country Club pro Johnny Gavin. In 1983 the course was renamed for L.A. Nickell Sr. and Jr., who helped build the original course and the park, and the clubhouse was rebuilt in 1986.
The fairways are zoysia and the greens bentgrass, and the range has irrigated bermuda tees with target greens. It stays open all year: as a rule it opens any day the forecast high is at least 40 degrees.
It's one of 26 courses Yoink watches in the Lake of the Ozarks & Columbia area, and Lake of the Woods Golf Course is practically next door — handy when your first choice is booked solid.
Booking a tee time at L.A. Nickell Golf Course
Tee times open 7 days ahead and take priority over walk-ins every day. Book online, or for same-day times call the clubhouse at (573) 499-GOLF or stop in. City annual passes work here and at Lake of the Woods.
How to get a tee time at L.A. Nickell Golf Course
Yoink
Golfers across Lake of the Ozarks & Columbia know the drill: the good times at courses like L.A. Nickell Golf Course are gone within minutes of release, and cancellations come back without warning.
Instead of refreshing the booking page, let Yoink do it. Pick L.A. Nickell Golf Course, choose your day and time window, and Yoink alerts you when a tee time that fits opens up. You always book straight with the course.
- Pick L.A. Nickell Golf Course in Yoink.
- Choose your day, time window and number of players.
- Get an alert when a matching tee time opens — then book it directly with the course.
Golf courses near L.A. Nickell Golf Course
- Lake of the Woods Golf Course · 0 mi
- The Links at Columbia Golf & Country Club · Columbia · 4 mi
- Par 3 at Midway Golf and Games · Columbia · 5 mi
- Tanglewood Golf Course · 21 mi
- Hail Ridge Golf Course · 23 mi
- Arthur Hills Golf Course · 24 mi
- Railwood Golf Club-RGC, LLC · Holts Summit · 27 mi
- Heritage Hills Golf Course - MO · Moberly · 30 mi
All 26 Lake of the Ozarks & Columbia courses in Missouri · Missouri golf courses
L.A. Nickell Golf Course FAQ
Where is L.A. Nickell Golf Course?
L.A. Nickell Golf Course is near Columbia, Missouri, in the Lake of the Ozarks & Columbia area.
Who designed L.A. Nickell Golf Course?
L.A. Nickell Golf Course was designed by Original nine by Earl "Smiley" Bell of Kansas City.
Is L.A. Nickell Golf Course open to the public?
L.A. Nickell Golf Course is municipal (City of Columbia).
How many holes is L.A. Nickell Golf Course, and what's par?
L.A. Nickell Golf Course is an 18-hole regulation course: 18 holes, par 70, 6,231 yards.
How do I get a tee time at L.A. Nickell Golf Course when it's booked up?
Set a watch for L.A. Nickell Golf Course in Yoink with your date, time window and group size. Yoink monitors the course's tee sheet and alerts you the moment a matching time opens, including cancellations. You book directly with the course.
What golf courses are near L.A. Nickell Golf Course?
Nearby options include Lake of the Woods Golf Course, The Links at Columbia Golf & Country Club and Par 3 at Midway Golf and Games. Yoink watches 26 courses in the Lake of the Ozarks & Columbia area.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these pages, checked 2026-09-28. Rates and booking rules change, so confirm with the course.
- golfcolumbiamo.com · official
- como.gov · government
- columbiagolfchampionship.com · other
Never miss a tee time at L.A. Nickell Golf Course
Yoink watches the tee sheet so you don't have to. When a time you want opens up, your phone buzzes — you book direct.