Sand Valley anchors the growing Sand Valley Golf Resort

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have made a handsome career for themselves designing golf courses following a “Minimalist” philosophy. Hand these two artists a topographically interesting and well-drained canvas, and they will deliver a masterpiece. Sand Hills Golf Club in Nebraska, Streamsong Red in Florida, and both Bandon Trails and The Sheep Ranch at BandonContinue reading “Sand Valley anchors the growing Sand Valley Golf Resort”

Wisconsin’s Sand Valley Golf Resort: “Best Golf Resort in the Midwest?”

Some say Sand Valley Golf Resort’s history dates to 2016, when its eponymous course, Sand Valley, opened for preview play. Others might say it began in 1999, when legendary golf developer Mike Keiser unveiled Bandon Dunes in Oregon, spurring a golf resort development boom in remote, topographically ideal locations with a “Field of Dreams” philosophy:Continue reading “Wisconsin’s Sand Valley Golf Resort: “Best Golf Resort in the Midwest?””

80th U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills

I covered the 2004 U.S. Women’s Open at The Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, MA, on the campus of Mount Holyoke College. There were a lot of legendary veterans in that field – Hall of Fame types: Laura Davies, Julie Inkster, Annika Sorenstam, Karie Webb, Lorena Ochoa, and eventual winner, Meg Mallon. Two thingsContinue reading “80th U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills”

“U.S. Open Challenge”: SentryWorld Hosts 2023 U.S. Senior Open

As I milled around the interview room at the 2023 US Senior Open, which just wrapped up at SentryWorld in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, I heard the same refrain from nearly every player: “This is a U.S. Open challenge. We’re just putting ‘Senior’ in front of it.” Brett Quigley, whose final round 66 (-5) vaulted himContinue reading ““U.S. Open Challenge”: SentryWorld Hosts 2023 U.S. Senior Open”

Grand Geneva Resort and Spa: From bunnies to birdies

The Lake Geneva area of southern Wisconsin has been the preferred getaway for Chicagoans ever since 1871, when Chicago burned and industrialist families fled the remains of the city smoldering in the sweltering summer heat. The shores of Lake Geneva are lined with the “summer cottages” of families with names like Wrigley and Maytag –Continue reading “Grand Geneva Resort and Spa: From bunnies to birdies”

SentryWorld reasserts dominance in Wisconsin destination golf

Before Whistling Straits. Before Erin Hills. Before Wild Rock. Before Sand Valley. Before all of these Wisconsin “destination” golf courses, there was SentryWorld. SentryWorld debuted in 1982 in Stevens Point, when Sentry Insurance commissioned Robert Trent Jones, Jr., to build a course to cater to locals and business colleagues as well as attract golfers fromContinue reading “SentryWorld reasserts dominance in Wisconsin destination golf”

Kohler is more than Whistling Straits (But The Straits Course IS awesome)

Let’s be very clear: There is MUCH more to The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, than The Straits Course at Whistling Straits. This iconic and unique resort offers four Pet Dye courses, not to mention the Kohler Waters Spa (try the Rain Man or Woodsman Massage treatments), one of the best restaurants in the MidwestContinue reading “Kohler is more than Whistling Straits (But The Straits Course IS awesome)”