Roll Call: Wisconsin - We're So Back

Taylorda · January 29, 2020, 11:10pm

Man 15 days since you guys last post. Seems like i need to stir things up a bit.

You all should make the drive over for this. Yours own @charvey from Hudson will be there, show some support for your Wisconsites.

Weezy · January 30, 2020, 4:36pm

I have been thinking about a Top 20 list of golf courses in wisconsin, here is my list: Interested to hear your thoughts

Whistling Straits (Straits)
Erin Hills
Blackwolf Run (River)
Milwaukee CC: Home of the State Am this year
Sand Valley
Mammoth Dunes
Whistling Straits (Irish)
Blue Mound CC
Sentry World
Lawsonia Links
Strawberry Creek
Troy Burne
Pine Hills CC
Blackwolf Run (MV)
University Ridge
Wild Rock
Green Bay CC
Horseshoe Bay
Minocqua CC
Hidden Glen

Thoughts?

chrisisoutrunning · January 30, 2020, 4:56pm

I’ve only played 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, and 16 on that list, so I can’t go spot by spot.

SentryWorld is too high in my opinion. It’s well conditioned and has a par 3 with a shit ton of flowers. Beyond that there is very little memorable about it. It would be below URidge and Wild Rock in my list.

It’s been eight years, so time may have faded my memory, but the Irish is definitely a step down from SV/MD, so I would expect Bluemound and Lawsonia, at least, to be above the Irish.

Straits/EH is likely going to be a pick 'em for everyone (though as can be seen, I’ve played neither, just walked them).

And I’d have the Sandbox on the list. Fight me.

chrisisoutrunning · January 30, 2020, 5:59pm

Not sure if anyone is interested in the Sand Valley Summer Solstice (I played in 2018), but I received this email today:

Hello,

Thank you for your interest in the 4th Annual Summer Solstice at Sand Valley . This event gives you the opportunity to play 72 holes in a single day. This event is unique in nature and is circled on many of your calendars so we look forward to seeing you at Sand Valley June 14th-16th, 2020 for our most anticipated Sand Valley Summer Solstice to date.

You are being contacted because you are currently on our Solstice waitlist, have previously expressed interest in playing or have played in past Solstice events. Your continued interest in the Sand Valley Summer Solstice allows us the opportunity to invite you and three others to join us in 2020. Due to the increased interest in this event, all interested parties must call the 1-800 number listed below to sign up. Please remember, spots are very limited.

The event is $1,341.48 per person (traditional double occupancy). Deposit in the full amount is due at the time of registration and the reservation must be made directly by you as the team leader. All cancellations must occur prior to 90-days before the start of the event and should be done by contacting our Reservations Team at the 1-800 number below. Single occupancy rooms & cottage upgrades are available for an additional amount.

This is your opportunity to officially sign up for the event prior to our full announcement. Your foursome is guaranteed as long as long as space is available and payment is submitted at the time of inquiry.

4th Annual Sand Valley Summer Solstice

June 14th – 16th, 2020

$1,341.48 per person (double occupancy)

$1,681.98 per person (single occupancy)

To sign up, please contact Reservations at 1-833-903-1859

When I did it, the price was more along the lines of $8-900 (I think). It jumped up last year to right about this price, which I couldn’t justify. It might be something I’d look at doing again after Doak’s course opens, but not this year.

KC_Badger · January 30, 2020, 7:51pm

Of what I’ve played, here’s what I’d say:

Erin Hills
Whistling Straits (Straits)
Blackwolf Run (River)
Mammoth Dunes
Sand Valley
Blue Mound CC
Lawsonia Links
Troy Burne
University Ridge
Whistling Straits (Irish)
Maple Bluff CC
North Hills CC
Bishop’s Bay CC
The Bull (RIP?)
Blackwolf Run (MV)
Timber Ridge

Playing Pine Hills this year, interested to see it.

Many others not worth ranking. Including SentryWorld.

Weezy · January 30, 2020, 8:07pm

Pine Hills is a hidden gem in the shadow of all the Kohler courses but is a cool test. Played it a couple of times you will enjoy it

KC_Badger · January 30, 2020, 8:09pm

I’m super excited for it. Was going to play it after @thefriedegg Steamshovel event last year but played BMCC instead, so this year going play it the day before. As luck would have it, Andy worked some magic and got some times for participants. Highly recommend the event if you haven’t already signed up.

jpcronin · January 30, 2020, 11:10pm

Tough seeing The Bull circling the drain. Not saying it’s worthy of all the accolades possessed by it’s neighbors, but it is a rock solid course. Would be a significant loss.

jpcronin · January 30, 2020, 11:15pm

Solid overall list of contenders. Been lucky to play several but here’s to making more progress in 2020. Is it May yet?

Jake_skud · January 31, 2020, 12:06am

Do we have any news of the result of the Sheriff’s sale for The Bull? Is it dead?

Jake_skud · January 31, 2020, 12:08am

Not dead, yet.

Sweethebs · January 31, 2020, 1:48am

Great list. I have played 8 of the 20. Still not a fan of Troy Burne. Sentry World was fun to play once. Two courses I have always like playing when I was living in Wisconsin were Washington County and The Bog.

DWise · January 31, 2020, 2:50pm

Nice lists! The top of mine is pretty similar but I counted down only the courses I played in 2019. Pictures can be found on my IG @golfwisely

Erin Hills
Whistling Straits (Straits)
Sand Valley
Whistling Straits (Irish)
Lawsonia Links
Wild Rock
University Ridge
Trappers Turn
Hawks Landing
Viroqua Hills

I have SentryWorld, Mammoth, Blackwolf Run Meadows on my list for 2020. Might need to add Pine Hills.

jpcronin · January 31, 2020, 3:40pm

Dropped you a follow on IG. Nice pics!

jpcronin · January 31, 2020, 3:51pm

Veering off the courses theme briefly, can we discuss “competitive” golf and tournaments?

My golf resolution last year was to play in one competitive event. I’d say mission accomplished - I did the Golfweek Am Tour team event at The Bull, the Public Links in Madison, and Kohler’s Fall Challenge.

I will have some more free time this summer and would like to play in a few more events. Curious as to what you all would recommend. I will probably pass on doing the Golfweek thing again and instead opt for the WSGA.

Thoughts?

blakehall · January 31, 2020, 4:21pm

I have a similar resolution (although I only played in really local events last year).

This year I’m leaning towards entering the WSGA Match Play qualifier (hello Lawsonia), and the Mid-Am (Wild Rock). Sign ups are in a couple of weeks, so it’s not 100% nailed down yet though.

RosesTintedGlasses · January 31, 2020, 4:40pm

I played in the Public Links too. It was my first competitive play in five years. Yahara’s greens were in great condition, the supers and green staff did a great job.

This summer I hope to play a bit more competitively, but my soon-to-be-married friends are making that a bit difficult (a good problem to have, for sure). Just some of the qualifiers, and hopefully the Madison pub links.

DWise · January 31, 2020, 4:43pm

Keep us posted on the sign up for the Madison Public Links competition. I was mad I missed it last year.

RosesTintedGlasses · January 31, 2020, 4:46pm

For sure. It was a great laid back tournament (definitely a lowercase “t”).

I know the Madison city courses get knocked for slow play and (some) uninspired design, but I’ve found the community of golfers to be top notch.

jpcronin · January 31, 2020, 7:13pm

I swore off Yahara the summer-before-last due to the conditions there being horrendous at times. Went back a few times and for the pub links. Pains me to say it, but the greens this past year were some of the best I played all summer.