Brickyard Crossing Golf Club
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 484-6572
1993, Pete Dye
Gold 6994, 74.5, 137, 72
Blue 6621, 71.7, 130, 72
White 6028, 68.4, 122, 72
Directions: From I-465, get off at the Speedway Clermont exit and make a right, the course is on the left side of the road.
Fees: ~$90
Golfcourse.com Review: This course features mounded fairways, so expect many uneven lies. Parts of the course were built alongside, as well as inside, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Little Eagle Creek comes into play on eight holes, and a pond comes into play on hole #10, a 346-yard, par 4. This club annually hosts the Senior PGA Tour's Brickyard Crossing Championship. "Golf Digest" rated this course as the "Best Public Course" in the state for 1996. They also ranked it as the 3rd "Best in State" course for 1995-96, and the 4th best for 1997-98. Under the 1996 category of "Top 75 Upscale Courses" it was named 13th.
Best Bar Nearby: A bunch of Indiana Pacers once got in a well-publicized altercation at a Gentlemen's club called Club Rio, so you know it's dope, but judge the neighborhood and clientele for yourself, cuz I ain't never been there.
Where To Grub: Philly Daily News says the real-life Jimmy Chitwood from the real-life Hoosiers of Milan High was a guy named Bobby Plump. Tiny Milan High upset Muncie Central in the 1954 Indiana State High School basketball championship, 32-30, on a last second shot by Plump. Check out Bobby's restaurant, Plump's Last Shot (6416 Cornell Ave, Indianapolis, 317-257-5867). For the best of heartland beef, St. Elmo Steakhouse (317-635-0636) makes many "Best Steakhouses" lists.
ESPN.com digs:
Cajun Food
Yats Cajun Creole
5363 N. College Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-253-8817 | Web site
This is a small place with funky Crescent City decor on every wall. Entrees are cheap and plentiful, ranging from red beans and rice to homemade peanut butter cream pie. If it ain't hot enough for you, Yats has a full selection of spicy sauces for you to try. The soft drink policy is, "Refills are free, and necessary."
Family dining
Moe & Johnny's
5380 N. College Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-255-6376 | Web site
Hold on to your raccoon coat, this place is even older than Hinkle. It incorporates three old buildings that date back to 1922. The menu goes on forever, and the family dining room features an open-flame stone oven that makes for a cozy setting on a cold, winter night.
Bar
Plump's Last Shot
6416 Cornell Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-257-5867
The sharpshooting Jimmy Chitwood character in the flick "Hoosiers" was based on real-life local legend Bobby Plump, who really did hit the last-second shot that led tiny Milan High to the state championship in Hinkle in 1954. Plump later became a legend at Butler and has remained a popular figure at his namesake bar. The walls are loaded with vintage hoops memorabilia from Plump's playing days, and the atmosphere is nice and relaxed for those who might find the college crowd in Indianapolis' Broad Ripple Village district a bit exhausting.
Museum
NCAA Hall of Champions
700 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-916-4255 | Web site
The NCAA campus is a few miles from Hinkle, smack in the heart of the city, and it's a must-see while you're in town. The Hall was remodeled in March 2009 and features interactive displays, championship banners for every sport the organization sponsors and an archive of "One Shining Moment" videos from the past several years of NCAA basketball tournaments. Located at the edge of White River State Park, in case you feel like taking a nature walk afterward.