NEKOOSA, Wis. – Tom Doak visited Scotland on scholarship as a younger man – even caddying on the Outdated Course at St. Andrews – and was decided to check all of the programs he may see. Studying from so many nice holes on properly north of 100 programs in the UK taught him a lesson he hasn’t forgotten.
“I saw so many cool golf courses that were only 6,000 or 6,100 yards long,” Doak stated. “And in the U.K., nobody cared that they were shorter. It was almost like they were better because they were shorter – if they’re good golf holes, then it’s a good golf course and we don’t care what that adds up to, right?
“So I kind of always had the idea, if I ever get in the position to do it, I would take the chance.”
So was born the idea of Sedge Valley at Sand Valley, which opened this yr. The par-68 structure ideas out at 5,829 yards, some 1,400 wanting many programs constructed lately.
Size wasn’t the purpose. Doak wished to construct the perfect holes attainable on the land accessible, with out transferring an excessive amount of earth. However don’t consider this as some short-course pushover – the greens present loads of problem, and because the course ages and circumstances develop into more and more agency, Sedge Valley will introduce loads of gamers to an extremely enjoyable model of small ball.
Editor’s notice: Golfweek’s Greatest course raters decide programs in 10 classes on a factors foundation of 1-10, then provide a non-cumulative general score.
Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
How properly the holes individually and collectively adhere to the land and to one another.
The ambivalence to expectations of size and par allowed Doak to deal with selecting premium inexperienced websites. The course unfolds superbly because it stretches to and from these websites. The non-returning nines ramble over reasonably hilly terrain with out ever changing into steep. My score: 8 out of 10
No. 12 inexperienced as seen from behind at Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
The extent to which course building creates design parts that slot in properly and gives a constant look or sensibility.
The shaping round greens blends superbly into surrounding terrain, offering loads of problem even with a brief iron or wedge in hand. Fairway shaping seems minimal with pure terrain offering loads of curiosity – the exception being the split-level 18th fairway that took some work to supply. My score: 8
Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin, with the primary resort facilities out of view past the primary inexperienced (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
Ease of integration of all built-out parts with fatherland, together with course, clubhouse, actual property, roads, native topography and landforms. Extent to which land plan facilitates lengthy views of surrounds and/or inside views of property.
Doak just about had free run of a comparatively small website and adjusted plans a number of instances as routing changes and inexperienced websites got here into focus. With its personal little professional store tucked away from the primary campus, Sedge Valley affords a straightforward getaway from the resort’s greater programs.
My score: 8
No. 18 inexperienced of Sedge Valley, as seen from behind, at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
Curiosity, selection and playability of placing surfaces, collars, chipping areas and greenside bunkers.
The shorter the opening, the tougher the inexperienced. Angles into the placing surfaces matter, as poor or lackadaisical pictures are sometimes repelled. Inner slopes are attention-grabbing however by no means too excessive. A number of greens are lengthy and thin, regularly turned at an angle. Brief-game choices are extraordinarily various. The deeper right into a inexperienced that an strategy shot is struck, the extra calls for on management.My score: 8
No. 5 inexperienced at Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
Differentiation of holes by size, membership required, topography, look and angle of strategy.
The 5 par 3s vary from 136 yards to 227 off the again tees, so anticipate to hit quite a lot of golf equipment. No. 5 with its huge, three-tiered inexperienced – considerably of a sideways Biarritz template tucked right into a hillside – was a private favourite. My score: 7
No. 14 at Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
Vary of right-to-left and left-to-right drives and second pictures required, in addition to unfold of size, topography and look of the holes.
The course is lower than 6,000 yards from the ideas, however 4 of the par 4s are longer than 400 yards. Holes function nice selection, with frequent centerline bunkers forcing gamers to problem one aspect or the opposite to arrange the perfect angles into greens. The quick sixth was a private favourite, with widespread sense begging for a layup properly to the left whereas private bravado calls for a daring drive on the inexperienced via a smattering of deep bunkers. The 18th – cut up ranges all the way down to the left and as much as the appropriate with a bunker and earthen wall between – is unforgettable.My score: 7
Number of danger/reward alternatives on tee shot; how attention-grabbing the second pictures are; number of third pictures required.
There’s just one par 5 on the course, No. 11, and it’s a stable gap. However par 5s aren’t the purpose. Doak has expressed delicate frustration up to now about designing par 5s that may pretty problem a full spectrum of gamers, so it’s no shock to see only one par 5 right here.My score: 4
No. 16 at Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
Extent to which ornamentals, hardwoods, conifers and different flora improve the design and playability of a course with out overburdening it or compromising strategic flexibility and agronomy.
Distinctive. With stands of bushes in view however faraway from enjoying corridors, there’s loads of width and lengthy sight strains throughout the course. The pure contours of the sandy dunes are largely uncovered however not as blown out as at Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes. My score: 9
Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
Total high quality of upkeep, discounting for short-term points (climate or high dressing); extent of native areas; range of flora and wildlife.
Fescue is an ideal golf grass, providing agency and bouncy fairways. As with earlier programs on the resort, Sedge Valley takes full benefit of those circumstances. The sandy areas and native vegetation on the perimeters of most holes may function a guidebook for sustainability, however it might develop into thick in locations for any gamers who stray. The bent grass greens have matured properly since opening. My score: 8
No. 4 at Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
The sense of the place as worthy of spending 4 hours on it.
It’s completely different, and that’s largely the purpose. However to focus an excessive amount of on the variations may result in lacking the large concept of little Sedge Valley as a gorgeous stroll punctuated with attention-grabbing golf pictures alongside the best way. My score: 7
Nos. 4 (left) and 15 greens at Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
This isn’t a cumulative rating.
Doak wished to construct one thing completely different, so he did. This can be a welcome boost to a resort full of selection amongst what at the moment are 4 full-size 18s with extra on the best way.My score: 7.4
Gap No. 2 on Pinehurst No. 10, the brand new and tenth course at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina(Courtesy of Pinehurst Resort)
