Caddies, rolling hills with sheep grazing, the Irish farmhouse-style clubhouse and ever-changing winds off a lake that’s the spitting image of the Irish Sea – Destination Kohler negates the need for a passport. With numerous non-stop flights from The Lone Star State to Wisconsin, it is now easier than ever to experience Irish-like championship golf in America’s Heartland.
This year, new shoulder-season prices on Pete Dye’s four beautiful, challenging and inspiring courses have created an even more persuasive opportunity to relish the magic of Old World golf without venturing on a trans-Atlantic journey.
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All four of Kohler’s majestic layouts were named to Golf Digest’s 2017-18 list of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” – The Irish and The Straits at Whistling Straits and The River and Meadow Valleys at Blackwolf Run. Building upon the 100th anniversary of The American Club in 2018, the No. 1 resort in the Midwest, as designated by Condé Nast Traveler, is now ramping up to host the 2020 Ryder Cup.
Extending over two miles along the iconic Lake Michigan coastline, The Straits course at Whistling Straits features many of golf’s most-recognizable landscapes.
As one of Dye’s most famous designs, his signature trademark of visual intimidation keeps golfers on their toes. Unlike America’s last Ryder Cup venue, and for the first time in over 20 years, you can play this Ryder Cup layout without the prerequisite of an accompanying member.
Sharing the same clubhouse and range as The Straits is The Irish. By strategically routing the course through tall grass mounds and sand dunes, Dye formed a little piece of the Emerald Isle in the Badger State. Not to be overshadowed by its sister course, this memorable track was recently described by GOLF Magazine as one of, “Five Outstanding (and Overlooked) Courses That You Can Play.”
Nestled in the Sheboygan River Valley, you’ll find The River and The Meadow Valleys courses at Blackwolf Run. Celebrating 30 years in 2018 since Pete Dye first opened Blackwolf Run, the club brightly exhibits the true beauty of Wisconsin and decorated golfing history of Kohler.
The Meadow Valleys embraces the natural features of the local terrain, making its way through prairies and gorges. Overlooking the picturesque Blackwolf Run Clubhouse, the dramatic par 4 finishing hole is particularly notable, in part due to its massive double green protected by water in front. Long-time golf writer Rich Skyzinski accurately describes, “The back nine at The Meadow Valleys might be among the most creative works on Dye’s legendary resume.”
In contrast to The Meadow Valleys, The River course is characterized by small landing areas, tactical bunkering and large rolling green complexes. Winding along the Sheboygan River, this layout finishes on a challenging and exhilarating par 4 (suitably named “Dyehard”) with a fairway bunker that runs parallel along the entire left side of the hole.
In early 2018, Kohler’s Inn on Woodlake reopened after a year-long renovation and expansion. Its two- and four-bedroom suites pair well for buddies’ golf trips, which can house up to eight visitors in one suite.
Inclusive of two nights at The American Club or Inn on Woodlake, the Golf Kohler Package features three 18-hole rounds of golf. Also included are cart fees at Blackwolf Run, forecaddie fees on The River and Meadow Valleys courses, and caddie fees on The Straits and Irish courses, along with a 30-minute golf lesson at the Kohler Golf Academy, 20-percent off Kohler Waters Spa services, and much more.
Destination Kohler is one hour’s drive north of Milwaukee (MKE), one hour south of Green Bay (GRB), and two hours north of Chicago (ORD or MDW). For more information or reservations, call 866.466.5170 or visit www.DestinationKohler.com.
