Sort of like those famous potato chips, you can’t eat just one. This is the second of two pieces that The Scrambler turned in five years ago, on the occasion of our first trip to Wisconsin.<\/p>\n
Day 2 \u2013 After a relaxing afternoon at the American Club followed by a refreshing workout at the SportsCore Complex, Mo\u2019 Golf, the Travellin\u2019 Duff and The Scrambler sat back and reflected on our preliminary Kohler experiences.\u00a0 We were all still in awe of the engineering marvel that was the Irish Course, and had been enjoying the many comforting amenities available to us.\u00a0 Even though I stumbled down the last few holes at the Irish, optimism abounded for our Sunday marathon at Blackwolf Run.\u00a0 The weather forecast was clear of any rain and we were headed to \u201ceasier\u201d courses.\u00a0 In contrast to the rugged terrain of the Whistling Straits complex, all the promotional photos of Blackwolf Run portrayed a pastoral and serene setting, with the bright Blue Sheboygan River beautifully framing green fairways, inviting us for a relaxing day.<\/em><\/p>\n Sunday morning dawned and the weather was as promised, comfortable enough for shorts at 7:00 am.\u00a0 As we stepped out onto the Clubhouse porch, we overlooked the vistas of the closing holes.\u00a0 I could have never predicted how the serenity of that morning would belie the turbulent 36 holes ahead.<\/em><\/p>\n Who is Elisabeth Kubler-Ross?<\/em><\/p>\n In Jeopardy!, this would be the correct question to the answer, \u201cThe doctor who developed the Five-Stage Grief Model.\u201d\u00a0 With some minor variations from other Grief Models, the five stages one passes through are Shock\/Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.\u00a0 On this Sunday, I grieved for the loss of a golf swing, and further, the lost dream of a serene and peaceful day of Golf at Blackwolf Run (don\u2019t despair \u2013 there\u2019s a happy ending).<\/em><\/p>\n Shock \/ Denial<\/em><\/p>\n The day featured many instances of shock, where I refused to believe this was happening to us.\u00a0 Where did my beautiful Blue Sheboygan go?\u00a0 Hard rains had pummeled Kohler Saturday night, and the peaceful flowing river had transformed into an angry brown raging waterway.\u00a0 The comfortable warmth at 7:00 am gave way to oppressive 90+ degree temperatures, compounded by the moisture from the night\u2019s storms, making for a sweltering journey.\u00a0\u00a0 The 3+ club winds rolled in after the first 13 holes, complicating club selection even further.<\/em><\/p>\n The shocking weather conditions could have all been endured, except for the sudden loss of rhythm and accuracy.\u00a0 An occasional pulled driver is not unusual, but when wedges and 9-irons started missing their targets by 30+ yards, I couldn\u2019t believe that my swing had decided to take yet another unscheduled vacation day.<\/em><\/p>\n Anger<\/em><\/p>\n In this stage, Anger is usually distributed to many undeserving recipients, in an attempt to cope with the loss.\u00a0 I borrowed a page from many PGA players, placing Pete Dye\u2019s designs in the cross-hairs.\u00a0 \u201cI hope this jerk gets some real pleasure from torturing people!\u201d\u00a0 \u201cPete Dye fell in love with the Cape Hole here \u2013 he really needs to mix it up a little.\u201d\u00a0 (An astute observation given my extensive years of architectural experience \u2013 I\u2019m sure if Pete reads this, he\u2019ll be sure to call for my input).\u00a0 \u201cHow is it possible to play 18 holes with 30 mph winds, and never play downwind?!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Or even the blasphemous \u201cI don\u2019t see what\u2019s so great about this course!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I never cursed the stupidity of the sport \u2013 there are just some things you\u2019re not allowed to do.\u00a0 Even in the darkest times, I always know that the difficulty is what makes Golf\u2019s successes that much sweeter.\u00a0 But those successes seemed so far away that Sunday.<\/em><\/p>\n Bargaining<\/em><\/p>\n I really didn\u2019t have much to offer as a bargaining chip.\u00a0 In the midst of my despair, I offered to the Golf Gods that I\u2019d be willing to sacrifice 20-30 yards of distance if I could only have better control.\u00a0 I promised to swing much slower if it would only help.\u00a0 But the Golf Gods could see through my empty offer.<\/em><\/p>\n Depression<\/em><\/p>\n Yes, there was a perceptible funk in the Scrambler\u2019s aura.\u00a0 Shortness of written or spoken words is not something I\u2019m often accused of.\u00a0 After I stewed in silence for several minutes, Mo\u2019 Golf told the Duff, \u201cUh-oh, we\u2019ve lost him.\u201d\u00a0 My depression was not so much aimed at my poor Sunday play, but the fear that I would completely hack up my rare opportunity to play the Straits Course Monday. <\/em><\/p>\n Acceptance<\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s no shame in getting your butt kicked by a Pete Dye design \u2013 the man has been vexing professionals for years.\u00a0 And there\u2019s certainly no shame in having an off-day with your swing.\u00a0 However, the combination of the two, coupled with extreme weather conditions can lead to a catastrophic experience, a seeming universe away from the serene and peaceful day envisioned.<\/em><\/p>\n However, the healing process always seems to start with a change in perspective and bit of reflection.\u00a0 One dramatic stretch of holes near the end of the day initiated the transition, as the great beauty and design separated the Scrambler from his problems.\u00a0 The 12th through 15th holes on the Meadow Valleys course is one of the more memorable stretches you will find anywhere, and forces you to appreciate the greatness of the game and this course. <\/em><\/p>\n It also put my struggles into a proper perspective.\u00a0 How many other people get to spend three days playing 4 world-class golf courses with their friends?\u00a0 We faced the challenges together, encouraging each other and rejoicing in shared successes. <\/em><\/p>\n Sure, some lingering depression hovered even after that stretch, but the transformative process had started.\u00a0 Now thoroughly separated from the negative associations with a bad swing day, the design of Blackwolf Run can be contemplated and appreciated as yet another example of Pete Dye\u2019s genius.<\/em><\/p>\n Blackwolf Run<\/em><\/p>\n You may remember that Blackwolf Run hosted the 1998 US Women\u2019s Open, highlighted by the duel between young stars Se Ri Pak and Jenny Chuasiriporn.\u00a0 The Championship course was actually a composite of the River Course (9 holes) and Meadow Valleys Course (8 holes), plus one \u201chybrid\u201d hole played cross country from the Clubhouse over to the Meadow Valleys 10th green. <\/em><\/p>\n Unlike the Whistling Straits complex, where both courses have the same Irish Coastal feel, the two designs at Blackwolf Run vary greatly, moving from a River Woodland to a sweeping and undulating landscape.\u00a0 All the courses are a testament to Dye\u2019s ability to create unique designs that blend with a variety of canvases.<\/em><\/p>\n River Course<\/em><\/p>\n Perhaps the one word most associated with the River Course design is \u201coptions.\u201d\u00a0 The River course is not overly long, topping out at less than 7,000 yards, and only 6,600 yards from the Blue tees.\u00a0 There are seven par fours playing less than 400 yards, including four under 350 yards.\u00a0 With this type of design, Driver is not the automatic tee-shot of choice, and the use of long-irons, hybrids, or fairway metals is a valid selection on a number of holes.\u00a0\u00a0 However, Dye certainly doesn\u2019t take the Driver out of your hands.\u00a0 As any well-designed course should, the River Course rewards players who take a little extra risk off the tee, often by opening up preferable angles to well-protected greens.<\/em><\/p>\n Perhaps the hole with the most options is the 316 yard 9th, \u201cCathedral Spires\u201d, a dog-leg right Par 4 which features a stand of tall trees in the center of the driving area, and the Sheboygan River down the entire right side.\u00a0 Avoiding the trees left leaves a longer approach, but the view of the green is partially obstructed by high banked bunkers and elevation changes.\u00a0 Challenging the spire of trees leaves a shorter approach and better view of the green, but brings more fairway bunkers into play.\u00a0 Those hearty enough to attempt driving the green play right of the trees, but face the added risk of the river.\u00a0 Holes such as these prove that a Par-4 does not need to push 450 yards to provide a memorable challenge.<\/em><\/p>\n Options off the tee are not limited to the shorter Par 4s.\u00a0 \u201cLong-Lagoon,\u201d the 433 yard 12th, features two distinct landing areas.\u00a0 To the right is a safe landing area, but leaves a longer second shot that must also flirt with the river and rough that cuts into the right side of the hole near the green.\u00a0 Those willing to challenge the lagoon for the left landing area risk a forced 220 yard carry, but are rewarded with a shorter approach and more accessible green.<\/em><\/p>\n The options certainly don\u2019t end once your tee shots are away.\u00a0 One theme that stood out to the Scrambler at all Pete Dye\u2019s Kohler designs was the amount of strategy required on the second shots for all Par 5s.\u00a0 On many Western New York Courses, there is little thought required, as we usually just hit a fairway wood towards the green and get as close as we can.\u00a0 The Par 5s at Kohler force you to assess multiple options and commit to a shot, usually through the use of angled fairways, split-fairways, double-doglegs, or cross hazards that don\u2019t allow you to \u201calmost\u201d catch your 3 wood perfectly.<\/em><\/p>\n On the 512 yard 8th (\u201cHell\u2019s Gate\u201d), a decent drive may leave a 230 yard approach.\u00a0 Going for the green requires you to flirt with the River running close to the right side of the fairway.\u00a0 Guarding a little left will kick you down a sharp bank, requiring a difficult uphill recovery from either heavy rough or sand.\u00a0 If you choose to lay-up, the split level fairway requires a choice.\u00a0 The upper right landing area brings the River into play, but leaves an unobstructed view of the green.\u00a0\u00a0 The lower left fairway option is safer, but requires a delicate third shot to an elevated green.<\/em><\/p>\n The second shot on the 540 yard 11th requires a \u201ccape-like\u201d decision, choosing how much of the Sheboygan you want to challenge in an effort to shorten your approach.\u00a0 The double-dogleg 16th Hole (\u201cUnter de Linden\u201d) features a solitary tree approximately 75 yards short of the green, leaving several options to play left, right or over the sentinel Linden.<\/em><\/p>\n Overall, the variety of options makes the River Course a true shot-makers\u2019 paradise which has consistently ranked in the Top 15 public access designs in the United States.<\/em><\/p>\n Meadow Valleys Course<\/em><\/p>\n Just as you seemed to travel through space crossing from Wisconsin Farmland to the Irish Coast at the Whistling Straits entrance, the transition from the River Course to the Meadow Valleys Course can be just as shocking.\u00a0 Compared to the somewhat restricted feeling at the River Course, the Meadow Valleys course features vast expanses of open space.\u00a0 Between the 11th and 12th holes is a windswept prairie, with only a large barn (converted into a rest station) dotting the landscape.\u00a0 Surveying the vista from the 12th green was one of the most unique experiences of the weekend. <\/em><\/p>\n Except for the extremely tight 10th hole carved through the trees (think Blue #2 and #3 at International Country Club), the first 12 holes play over a sweeping and gently rolling Meadow, completely exposed to the heavy winds.\u00a0 With the large areas, there are a variety of angles that can be taken, with Dye using large mounds to obstruct your view on several occasions, most notably on the Par 5 4th hole.\u00a0 Severely contoured greens force you to choose your angle of attack carefully, as many three-putts await an approach improperly placed.<\/em><\/p>\n One large lake enters into play on the 7th, 8th and 9th holes, with the scariest being the 188 yard 8th, nicknamed \u201cWet & Wild.\u201d\u00a0 The water guarding the entire left side provides the \u201cWet,\u201d, while the whipping winds from the left make for a \u201cWild\u201d ride, especially if you elect to play over the hazard and pray for some wind assistance.<\/em><\/p>\n While there may not be jaw-dropping elevation changes or significant geographic features, the essence of the Meadow portion is the feel of being in the middle of a large wind-swept prairie, very much alone to commune with nature.\u00a0 The only real indication of civilization on the Meadow holes is the \u201cLargest Flag in the United States\u201d which towers 338 feet above nearby Sheboygan, and at 7,200 square feet can be seen from miles away throughout the course.<\/em><\/p>\n The path from the 12th green to 13th tee features yet another geographic metamorphosis, as the Valleys portion of the course emerges with a series of ravines and dramatic elevation changes.\u00a0 The opening trio of Valley holes holds up against any other sequence in the entire Kohler kingdom.<\/em><\/p>\n The 13th is a mere 335 yards, but steadily climbs from tee to green.\u00a0 Nicknamed \u201cChimney\u201d, the green doesn\u2019t just sit at the top of the hill \u2013 that wouldn\u2019t be high enough.\u00a0 The 13th putting surface climbs even further, setting atop a 20 foot plateau at the top of the hill.\u00a0 Think Country Club of Buffalo\u2019s \u201cVolcano Hole\u201d being placed on the 18th green at CCB.\u00a0 Only the purest iron approach will cling to this tricky surface.<\/em><\/p>\n As the saying goes \u201cWhat goes up, must come down.\u201d\u00a0 The 409 yard 14th hole is not called \u201cSpinning Wheel\u201d, but sweeps back down to the right, revealing one of the prettiest downhill approaches you will ever encounter.\u00a0 With a ravine providing the backdrop, the green sits 40 feet below the fairway, wrapped on three sides by Weeden Creek.\u00a0 With its unmatched beauty, \u201cNature\u2019s Course\u201d is one of the most photographed holes in Wisconsin.<\/em><\/p>\n As the three of us drove away from the 14th, we assumed we had reached the high point and talked about how great \u201cNature\u2019s Course\u201d was.\u00a0 However, as we pulled up to the next tee, Mo\u2019 Golf could be heard, \u201cGuys, you won\u2019t believe this\u201d followed by \u201cWow, would you look at that!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n After a demanding uphill trek followed by a gorgeous downhill sweep, it would take a special \u201cflat\u201d shot to complete this cycle of holes.\u00a0 Finding a level hole in the league with this set-up would be a stretch, but the 15th hole actually crescendos to a fortissimo finale.\u00a0 One of the more ironically named holes, \u201cMercy\u201d is a 196 yard par 3, all over a glacial ravine and usually played into the wind, with \u201cno mercy\u201d granted to the poorly struck attempt.\u00a0 A truly heroic par 3, the 15th leaves a lasting impression on all those who pass through the Meadow Valleys layout.<\/em><\/p>\n While it is difficult to maintain such a breathtaking pace in design, the last three holes certainly don\u2019t disappoint, with the 16th featuring one of Pete Dye\u2019s famous Acre-sized greenside bunkers (ala PGA West), the par 3 17th over a less dramatic ravine and solitary Maple Tree, and the closing hole featuring a final approach over the Sheboygan River against the backdrop of the Blackwolf Run Clubhouse.<\/em> Compared to the Irish Course, Blackwolf Run is much more punitive to the wayward drive, essentially eliminating the hopes of a recovery.\u00a0 Water abounds everywhere on the River Course, with penalty strokes adding insult to the lost $3 Titleist.\u00a0 Even on the Meadow Valleys, water is less prevalent, but the grasses framing the holes are knee high, usually resulting in a lost ball or, at best, an unplayable lie.<\/em><\/p>\n Scramble of the Day<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s often said that adversity is just an opportunity to shine, so it was an \u201copportunistic\u201d round, to say the least.\u00a0 On the 429 yard 9th at Meadow Valleys, my drive was pulled a touch, ending up a foot inside the tall grass, and behind a large Maple Tree, some 180 yards out.\u00a0 The Scramble attempted to hit Driver from the rough to keep the ball below the tree, and still chase down the fairway.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the ball was close enough to the high grass to interfere with the downswing, leaving a 100 yard shot from a perched rough lie on the side of a fairway bunker, all into a 30 mph crosswind.\u00a0 As the full swing wasn\u2019t working, it was time to get creative.\u00a0 The Scrambler elected the \u201clong pitch\u201d with a 5 iron, which seemed to float in the wind 15 feet off the ground and dropped softly next to the pin, 4 feet away. <\/em><\/p>\n Favorite Holes:<\/em><\/p>\n At the Meadow Valleys course, the honor would have to be a three way tie among the trio of holes described above. <\/em><\/p>\n On the River Course, aesthetics was the primary determinant, with the 388 yard 5th hole getting the honor.\u00a0 Named \u201cMade in Heaven\u201d, this hole features an elevated tee overlooking the valley below, guarded on the right by the ubiquitous Sheboygan River.\u00a0 After descending into the valley, your approach is to a plateau green sitting at an angle to the fairway, adding both beauty and strategic elements.<\/em><\/p>\n To find out more about Blackwolf Run, visit DestinationKohler.com, and follow the \u201cGolf\u201d links to see the variety of world-caliber Golf available. <\/em><\/p>\n Our three day adventure wraps up on Monday, traversing the Straits Course that hosted the 2004 PGA Championship.\u00a0 Stay tuned to BuffaloGolfer.com for more on the Golf adventures of Mo\u2019 Golf, Travellin\u2019 Duff and the Scrambler.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sort of like those famous potato chips, you can’t eat just one. This is the second of two pieces that The Scrambler turned in five years ago, on the occasion of our first trip to Wisconsin. Day 2 \u2013 After a relaxing afternoon at the American Club followed by a refreshing workout at the SportsCore […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-scrambler"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nAbility to Scramble<\/em><\/p>\n