Dan Perry

The North Course at Eagle Ridge Resort may not get the press that The General does, but it is still a test of golf, and a course that should definitely be played if you’re every in Galena, or staying at the Eagle Ridge Resort. We played all three and found something to like about each one.

The North Course starts right out the back door of the clubhouse. The first hole is fully in view, and relatively easy (369 from the back tees). Readers know that I’m a fan of “warm-up” holes, and this course doesn’t disappoint with its opening, short dogleg right.

The second hole is a meandering par 5, that may be reachable, but not for me. The approach to the green is all uphill, so I’d suggest making it a 3-shot par 5, and try to start par-par (or possible birdie).

The 4th is a lengthy, 204-yard par 3. Luckily, you’re better short than long here, and the green is slightly raised. Definitely try to stick it, but being short isn’t the end of the world either.

The 5th is a short par 5 that is potentially reachable, but the tee shot and approach are both uphill, so plan on taking extra clubs here. Be careful not to go long as you approach into the green; there isn’t a lot of room for error behind the green. Fortunately, there is room to bail to the right of the green, so if your chipping game is on, it may be the right play. Here are pictures of the tee shot, and approach, respectively.

The 7th is a 402 yard par 4, but don’t worry; this hole is entirely down-hill. From the tee, you can see a little bit of the lake, but as you near your approach (and eventually the green), it comes into full view. This is one of the best views on the course, so have your camera ready!

The 8th is a very scenic par 3, with some of the best bunkering of the entire Eagle Ridge Resort.

Once you’re on the 8th green, you may see some boaters or fisherman. The day we were there, it was fisherman, and they were so close we could’ve reached out and touched them.

Eleven is a 533-yard par 5, with an elevated tee shot. If your driver is working, Fire at will. It’s one of those holes where you feel like the ball will go a mile.

Thirteen is a relatively tough par three (for me, anyways), mainly because it requires a mid-iron (185 yards from the Black), yet the green is surrounded by bunkers, forcing you to stick it. Easier said then done. There is a little room to bail (front-left and back-right), but not a lot, so take a little extra time focusing on this tee shot.

Fifteen is another great par 5 (If you haven’t noticed, I like the par 5’s on this course.) This is the longest one at 566 yards, but the approach into the green is downhill by quite a bit. It’s not reachable for me, but if you plan a three-shotter, the second shot should be left at about 135 or more. If not, you may have a very steep, downhill lie. Here, you can see the 150 yard stake in the fairway, and the drop-off to the4 green.

The finishing hole is actually pretty easy (Handicap = 14), which is a little disappointing to me, but not the end of the world. Hit a strong drive up the left side, and you should have a pretty good approach to the pin. Lots of bunkers, but by this time of the round, you should be as precise as you’re going to get, so go for the flag.

We discussed the three courses at Eagle Ridge, and if we could only play one, it would be The General. If it were only two, it would be The General and the South Course, with this course coming in third. The third place designation is not by a long-shot, by any means, but we both felt this was the least scenic of the three. On a positive note, my wife thought this was the easiest of the three for women, so it may be the right course for you.

Other Illinois Golf Course Reviews:

The General Golf Course, Eagle Ridge Resort, Galena, Illinois
Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois
Cantigny Golf Course, Wheaton, Illinois
Big Run Golf Club, Lockport, Illinois
Highland Woods Golf Course, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Poplar Creek Country Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Makray Memorial Golf Club, Barrington, Illinois
Foxford Hills Golf Club, Cary, Illinois
Harborside International Golf, Port Course, Chicago, Illinois
Whisper Creek Golf Club, Huntley, Illinois

Return to the Golf Course Reviews Homepage.

I love The Heathlands golf course in Onekama, Michigan. There really isn’t another way to put it. When you combine the cost, terrain, views, and difficulty, it is easily one of the best courses I’ve ever played. It is one of those undiscovered treasures that seem to go unnoticed. It’s only about 10-15 minutes south of Arcadia Bluffs, and a half hour north of Manistee National, so if you’re ever in the area (Northwest Michigan) have a look for yourself.

My Dad and I on the 15th green

The second is a straight-forward par 3, but on the third, the fun really starts. It’s a 559 yard par 5 that is almost reachable, if you cut enough of the corner. The tee shot looks like you should aim straight, but before you hit, take the cart just past the women’s tee, and see how far to the right you can hit your ball. You’ll probably be aiming over the trap and bush on the right-side of the tee. The fairway is fat, so swing away. The green is very tight (which forces me to make it a 3-shotter), with bunkers in the front, and OB behind it.

On 4, the tee shot is all about placement. Do what you can to reach the flat area of the fairway but be warned; a driver may be too much. If you leave it on the hill, you may have an approach that looks like this.

The fifth is a 445 yard par 4, which is the #2 handicap hole on the course. Driver for sure here, and stay up the left-side to catch the downslope, but don’t land in the left bunker.

Your approach (which is almost blind) can be a bit long if needed, because this green is HUGE. It’s two-tiered, but it’s better (for me anyway) to be long here than short, and in the bunker guarding the front of the green.

The 6th is a par 5, but with a hammer for a tee shot, is reachable. Like the third hole, the green is really guarded, with a bunker in front and OB behind it, but don’t let that scare you.

The 7th is another fun hole that is a severe dog leg to the right. Seasoned players (of this course) may go for the green by cutting the corner and hitting a huge cut, but for the rest of us, hit a 200-220 yard shot into the middle of the landing area.

This should leave you around 100 to the green, which is uphill. Oh yeah, and you’ll be landing it blind (especially if the pin is in the back), so hit a crisp one here.

#10, #11 and #14 are all short par 4’s (333, 345 and 295 yards, respectively). If you don’t have the 50-75 yard shot in your bag, hit hybrids off the tee, to leave yourself good approaches. They really are all attackable holes, so if you had some pain on the front 9, here’s your chance to make some strokes up. Here are pictures of all three, in order:

Fifteen is THE hole. It’s a downhill par 3, that is easily one of the most scenic holes in the area. (The first picture in this set of my Dad and I was taken on this green.) It’s so far downhill that it’s easily a 2-3 club difference, depending on wind. It’s so dramatic of a shot that you should be happy if you keep it on the green, let alone near the pin. Bring your camera for this one; it’s the best.

The 16th isn’t a long par 4 (360) but it is ALL uphill. Driver is probably fine, but your approach is also uphill, so be sure to adjust for it. Here are a couple pictures of the tee shot, and the approach.

The 18th is an animal; there’s just no other way to say it. It’s the #1 handicap hole on the course, and for good reason. It’s 605 yards from the tips, and absolutely impossible to go for in two, so don’t even think about it. The tee shot is wide open, so go ahead and let it fly.

The second shot should leave you with about 150 in (the water is at about 140 or so, so be sure not to go long on this shot.) Because it will be an uphill, blind shot, you should take a little more club, but don’t take too much, or you’ll be wet. This usually causes players to play safe, which leaves them about 160-170 for their third shot (over water). The green is very large, with multiple undulations. Although I’m sure it’s happened, in the dozens of times I’ve played here, I’ve never seen anyone birdie the 18th. A par is quite an accomplishment here!

As I said, I really love this course. It’s short enough that my Dad doesn’t feel intimidated, it’s scenic enough that my wife loves playing here, and it’s challenging enough to keep me coming back. Plus, it’s as reasonable as it gets (In-season weekend is $65). Now you see why we’re smiling so much!

Kate and I with the 16th hole behind us

Other Michigan Golf Course Reviews:

Heather Golf Course, Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, Michigan
Hemlock Golf Club, Ludington, Michigan
Canthooke Valley, Manistee National Golf & Resort, Manistee, Michigan
Fazio Premier, Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Michigan
Bay Harbor Golf Club, Bay Harbor, Michigan
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course, Arcadia, Michigan
Arthur Hills Golf Course, Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, Michigan
The Bear Golf Course, Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, Michigan

Return to the Golf Course Reviews Homepage.

I’ve played Hemlock Golf Club about 4-5 times in the past, but my wife has never played it, so we decided to give it a shot over the 4th of July weekend.

We arrived a bit early for our 10:30 tee time, and actually got to hit the range, practice a few putts, and tee off about a half-hour early. Thanks to the starters for getting us on early – much appreciated.

Oops, before I forget. When we checked in, I noticed about a dozen cans of Deep Woods Off on the counter, and decided they were there for a reason. Heck with the sunscreen; this was WAY more important. It didn’t help that it rained (very hard) the night before. Needless to say, we spent very little time in the shade.

The course starts our easy enough, with a straight-away par 4 that has a slight turn to the left. It’s not the longest hole (438 from tips, but only 413 from the Blues, which I played), but it is a good starting hole. I’ve played courses that start tough from the get-go, and I prefer a few warm-up holes. Here’s a shot form the back of the green towards the tee.

The second is actually a very short par 4, giving the player a chance at birdie/easy par very early in the round. Again, fairly straight, and only measuring 325 from the blues. I’d suggest a hybrid, leaving a 100 yard shot, but you’ll probably blast a driver. I know I did the first time I played it!

The third is another short par 4, this one only 278 from the Blues, but beware; this hole is trouble. There are two landing areas for your tee shot, and they are at different distances from the tee. The fairway is almost two different fairways, depending on where you land (ironically, there is a two-fairway hole coming up.) It’s short, but a par is all good here.

The seventh hole is the opposite of the 2nd and 3rd holes. It’s a loooong par four, playing to 459 from the Blues, into the wind. I thought I hit a pretty good driver, and still had 200+ to the green. Consider making it a 3 shot par 4, instead of trying to kill it on the first or second shot. I should’ve played hybrid, wedge, wedge.

The ninth is a great par 4, with sand bordering the entire right side of the hole. If your driver is on, you can cut a lot of this hole off, leaving less than 140 to the flag. Instead of playing safe to the fat part of the fairway, let one rip over the foliage to the right of the fairway, and if it carries well, you’ll be rewarded.

At the turn, we stopped for a couple sandwiches. As we were waiting, I noticed that on the bar, there was a sign that had been printed and added for a specific type of alcohol. I thought it was just too cool not to take a picture. I think it speaks for itself.

I’ve always thought the back was more interesting (and more of a challenge) than the front. I also think that this is a good thing, because by now, you should be warmed up and ready for it. The tenth starts you right off with a challenge; a large bunker directly in the middle of the fairway. Play up the left if you can.

The 11th is a great par 5 that is potentially reachable (505 yards from the blues), except for the green. This is probably one of the scariest second shots, if you decide to try for it. The green is elevated by at least 20 feet, and is thin, forcing you to stick the approach. In addition, there is a significant bunker that borders 4/5 of the green. A par is possible, if you give it the respect it deserves, and play it as a three-shot par 5. Here’s the view of my third shot.

The twelfth is also a par 5 (that’s right; back-to-back par 5’s), but this one is 564 from the Blues. Also, it is one of the most interesting hole designs I’ve seen. The fairway splits, with a group of large trees in the middle, forcing you to make a choice. If you go left (which you can barely see from the tee), the path is a little wider, and it may give you a view of the green for your third. If you go right, you will definitely have a blind shot for your third, to a very small green. I don’t think I’ve ever parred this hole, but I really do love it. It’s always a challenge.

The 13th is an all-carry, 189 yard par 3. The bunkers in the front are trouble (the wife hit here, and got the fried-egg lie; the ball was almost completely covered.) I hit a strong 6-iron, and actually two-putted for a par. The green is large, so better long than short here.

From the 14th tee, you can’t really see where you need to hit it, but trust me; a driver is fine, if well placed. There is sand up the right-hand side that slopes down towards the fairway, so hit it strong and long right up the middle, and you’ll be rewarded with a short approach.

The 18th is a tricky hole. This is a true dogleg, with the fairway ending, and the hole to the left. Club selection here is key (I chose the wrong one). If you’re too short (like I was), you won’t be able to approach the green, due to tall pines on the left. If you’re too long, you may end up in the junk. I’ve played with guys who will hit driver over the pines on the left, right at the green, or about 50 yards short. If you’re a big hitter, it may be the play for you.

A friend of mine read a few of my reviews, and asked “Why don’t you ever post your score?” I never thought it was a big deal, but since he asked, I’ll start posting going forward. I shot a 91 at Hemlock Golf Club. Not my proudest moment, but considering I hadn’t played here in a few years, I was pretty happy with it.

I’d recommend playing Hemlock Golf Club to anyone. The scenery is great, the course offers up some very challenging holes, and the price is very reasonable. Just remember to bring the Deep Woods Off; you’ll thank me later.

Other Michigan Golf Course Reviews:

Heather Golf Course, Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, Michigan
Canthooke Valley, Manistee National Golf & Resort, Manistee, Michigan
Fazio Premier, Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Michigan
Bay Harbor Golf Club, Bay Harbor, Michigan
The Heathlands, Onekama, Michigan
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course, Arcadia, Michigan
Arthur Hills Golf Course, Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, Michigan
The Bear Golf Course, Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, Michigan

Return to the Golf Course Reviews Homepage.

Spent Memorial Weekend at The American Club in Kohler, and on the last day of our stay, we played the Bull at Pinehurst Farms. I had heard from my boss that it was a great design (only Nicklaus course in Wisconsin). In addition, it was only about 10 minutes from Kohler, and the cost was very reasonable, especially when considered to the cost of playing the Kohler courses.

We arrived a little early, spent some time in the pro shop and on the range, and when we went to the starters shack, we found out that it would be only the two of us in our group. Although we enjoy playing golf with others and meeting new people, we also enjoy each others company enough, and besides; it gives me more opportunities for taking pictures. Here’s the only one I didn’t take at the course; one of Kate and I.

I remember reading somewhere that Nicklaus likes to start his courses with a practice hole, and the first hole could have been just that. Very straight-forward, not too long, and a green that undulated, but nothing serious. Here’s my approach.

Actually, through the first three holes (par 4, 4 and 3 respectively) I thought to myself, “Is this it?” I really wasn’t that impressed. Even as my fourth tee shot landed over a hill and out of sight (but still in the fairway) I wasn’t really impressed. And then I reached the top of said hill, and knew that I was in for something special. The second shot plays downhill to a very tight green. It’s large, but well guarded by bunkers. I chickened out, and gave myself a third shot approach of about 120.

Then came the fifth. It seems easy enough, for the uninitiated; a slight dogleg left, and just over 400 yards. From the tee, it’s a little difficult to see just how thin the fairway is. It’s all OB left, and a fence line with houses on the right. This is easily one of the toughest driving holes I’ve played. Even if you get a good poke off the tee, the approach is over a chasm of junk, with little room to bail. Nicklaus went from warm-up to world class in 5 holes. Here’s a shot from in front of the ladies tee (showing the thinness of the fairway) and a looking back from the green.

The 6th is an all-carry par 3, with bunkers on both sides of the green. The pin was front, making the landing area as tight as possible. It really made for a beautiful hole though.

This brings us to two details about The Bull; one I liked and one I disliked. Near the ladies tee on this hole, there was a “Personal Tee” marker from U.S. Kids Golf. These are placed on courses for beginner’s to use, and placed in such a position that the person playing may actually make a par. I’ve seen them on par 4’s from about 150 yards out. I LOVE this, and wish more courses would implement it. Very impressed.

Now for the dislike. The on-course restrooms are, in my opinion, an embarrassment for this course. The Bull is an impressive Nicklaus design, on par with the neighboring Meadows Valley and River Courses at Blackwolf Run, and easily one of my favorites in the Midwest. The on-course restrooms are porta-potties. For a course this nice, it is borderline unacceptable. What really surprised me was that there were houses within throwing distance of the porta-potties (note one in the background of the image below). Why didn’t they add the plumbing for on-course restrooms? It isn’t like there aren’t water lines running to these houses. I truly hope there’s a good reason, or that they are considering adding them at a future date.

The seventh is another wonderfully, tight hole. The tee shot has got to be precise to have any chance of hitting this elevated green. Also, your approach is basically blind. Be careful off the tee here.

As is often the case, the 9th works its way back to the clubhouse. Again, an uphill approach is in play, although not blind.

The tenth is relatively easy. I wonder if Nicklaus made this a “practice” hole too, for those playing only 9 holes. In any case, it’s a dogleg right, with some water on the right, but some room to bail on the left. This should be a par (although it was a bogey for me; stupid 3-jack.)

The 12th is a very scenic, long par 3. It’s 236 from the tips, and over 200 yards for all but the shortest set of tees. It’s a struggle to par here, with trouble everywhere. The water doesn’t really come into play, but there’s bunkers surrounding the green, and hitting it long is OB, so if anything, be a little short.

I really liked the 16th hole. It’s one of those holes that doesn’t reward the long hitter (which, ironically is me), but the accurate player (which, sadly is not me.) It’s a dogleg left, but a good tee shot can cut off a lot of the hole, so give it a shot. The green is pretty well guarded by bunkers (no surprise there), but there is room for bailing to the back right. I also like the 16th because I got one of my favorite pictures from this golf course on this hole. Note that the flags were US flags, to commemorate Memorial Day.

The 18thg hole is probably the toughest finishing hole I’ve ever played. It’s a 485 yard par 4 from the tips, and it’s all into the wind. That’s right; I said a 485 yard par 4. That’s US Open length, AND it’s into the wind. Even the tees I played were 462; a true monster. I played it as a three-shot hole, and hoped to one-putt (which I didn’t). I can imagine that tournaments played here are lost more often than won on this hole. Definitely something to remember.

I would be happy to play The Bull again. Once you play a course, you remember some of the nuances, and I think I’d probably have a better finishing score. I will say that I was disappointed with the on-course restrooms (more so for my wife than myself), but other than that single, minor issue, this is a must play.

If you are traveling to Kohler and planning to play some of the course there, I would consider including The Bull at Pinehurst farms in your travel plans. It’s less than 10 minutes away, a Nicklaus design, a shotmaker’s delight, and a fraction of the cost.

If you go, be sure to comment below with your thoughts.

Other Wisconsin Golf Course Reviews:

The River Course, Blackwolf Run, Kohler, Wisconsin
Irish Course, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin

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I’ve played the Irish Course at Whistling Straits twice; once during my honeymoon (when I played all four of the Kohler golf courses), and again in August of 2007. It borders the Whistling Straits course, so you do have views of Lake Michigan, but not nearly as many as you do on the Straits. Of course, you still get the wind, and it is a Pete Dye design, so the challenge is still there for sure.

Caddies are required, and it’s a walking-only course. I think I read somewhere that they’d allow a golf cart for the physically handicapped, but I’ve never seen one on the course. If you’re not used to walking, or are not in the best of shape (like me), plan on playing in the morning, and either soaking in a hot tub in the afternoon, or getting a massage. This course is anything but flat, and will require a good degree of stamina.

The Irish Course starts out tough enough; slight uphill par 4, directly towards Lake Michigan (think windy). Take plenty of club on the approach, which is also uphill.

The second hole looks simple enough from the tee; it’s also a par 4, and measures 360 from the Blue (only 372 from the Black). Oddly, it’s the 6th handicap hole on the course. There’s water on the right, but the real challenge is the approach. The green is small, very thin, and is well-guarded. Since the tee shot is short, be sure to leave yourself a perfect distance for the approach (and include the wind). Here’s where the caddies really start coming into play.

The fifth is an almost unreachable par 5. The tee shot has to be perfect, and there’s trouble everywhere, including dozens of bunkers, a waste area, a long carry, and a river running through the middle of the fairway. Again, the green is abnormally small, and heavily guarded. My advice (as is the norm with Dye designs); play it safe. Ask your caddy; he’ll tell you the same.

The 8th hole is a downhill par 5, and a beautiful hole. Be sure to hammer the drive; this hole is potentially reachable. Although 542 from the Blue, the second shot is downhill, and the wind doesn’t seem to be too large of a factor here. With two great shots, it’s possible (but remember the key word… great).

Here’s the tee shot (which should favor the right side):

And here’s the approach on 8:

The ninth isn’t necessarily a hard hole, but the ever-present railroad ties (Dye is famous for them) become apparent here. Personally, I think they add a lot.

The tenth is a visually difficult hole. It is completely uphill, so plan on hitting a blind approach. Again, the caddies help a lot for this type of shot. It’s hard to show just how uphill this hole is, but the picture below was taken from the tee, and the golfers on the far left of the shot are on the group in front of us, on the green.

The 11th and 13th are both straight-forward par 3’s, but they are both so beautiful, with their railroad ties and numerous bunkers, that I had to include pictures of both.

Here’s the 11th:

And here’s the 13th:

The on-course restrooms are basically hidden from sight, but if the need arises, they are some of the cleanest restrooms I’ve even seen (and of course, full of impressive Kohler fixtures.) I had to take a couple shots. Here’s the outside of the restroom facilities:

And here’s a close-up of one of the Kohler sinks (I think it’s the border is the Straits course):

One thing did surprise us while playing the course; the sound of cowbells. The caddy noticed the weird look on our faces, and mentioned that the sheep (which are allowed to roam the course at will) must have been up and moving around. The first time we played the Irish Course, most of the sheep were lying down. The caddy said that was a sure sign that it was going to rain soon. They were getting their rest. True to form, it rained that night, and we had to reschedule our round at the Straits Course.

The 14th is a relatively straight par 5, with one (personal) stand-out feature; a massive bunker on the left side of the green. It’s OB right, so there really isn’t a place to bail. Playing out of this bunker was a great premonition of playing the Straits Course; almost every hole there has a bunker like this.

If you don’t pass out from all the walking (OK, I’m REALLY out of shape), the 18th is a great finishing hole. A par 5 with an elevated green. Playing 536 from the Blues, it’s potentially reachable, but not for me. A great tee shot goes down into a valley, making the second almost completely uphill. I say make the third shot your approach, and give yourself a good distance.

At the 18 green, a staff member will meet you and give you a ride back to the clubhouse. Although it’s within walking distance, you’ll be thankful to be able to sit down on a cart (I GOT to get to the gym!)

Of the four courses at Kohler, The River Course is my favorite, followed by this one. It’s not as penal as the Straits, but not as easy as the Meadows. It’s a true test, within throwing distance of Lake Michigan. If you can only pick two, pick this one.

Finally, be sure to tip your caddy well. All you did was walk it; they had to drag your bag.

Other Wisconsin Golf Course Reviews:

The River Course, Blackwolf Run, Kohler, Wisconsin
The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin

Return to the Golf Course Reviews Homepage.

Whisper Creek Golf Club is about a 45 minute drive north from where I live, but easily worth the trip. It’s right in the center of a Del Webb community, made up of single story retiree homes to larger, family homes. The benefit of this type of facility is that it is master planned, so the homes don’t really get in the way of the golf.

Since it was planned from the ground up, the flow of the course is also quite impressive. You drop your clubs at the bag drop, and take them to your cart (or someone helps you). You step in side to pay, and when you step outside, you’re immediately facing the driving range, with a snack bar and a very large putting green to you left. After picking up a coffee at the snack bar, you can hit a few balls on the range, and move your cart about 10 yards to the putting green. After warming up the putter, you drive about another 15 yards to the starter, and finally end up on the first hole. This gentle, relaxed flow is noticeable, and the perfect way to start the round.

The course starts with a gentle par 4 (or so it seems). The prevailing wind is left to right (and the day we played, it was significant). The only issue that arises is if you slice a little, and the wind takes it to the right side of the fairway. It borders the driving range, so pay close attention to the ball before you hit it! This also leaves a tough approach to the green, forcing you to go over a bunker.

The 4th hole is a great design, and I’m actually glad that they decided to leave the large trees on the left side intact. It may have been very easy to remove them, but it adds a layer of difficulty to the hole that could’ve easily been avoided (good for you, Whisper Creek designer!) The tee shot is crucial; you have to be on the right side of the fairway to have any sort of an approach to the green. In addition, there’s water bordering the right side of the fairway, very tall grass on the right, and a creek running through the fairway ¾ of the way to the green. Like I said, it is very tough. In the following picture, the green is behind the group of tall trees in the middle.

Just before reaching the 5th tee, one of the two (plus the halfway house) on-course restrooms is available. I often play golf with my wife, and have come to understand the value of clean, permanent facilities on the golf course, and Whisper Creek Golf Course is no slouch. The restrooms were clean and abundant (3 total through 18 holes). At times, this is the decision-maker as to what course we’ll be playing. Good job Del Webb! Here’s a picture of the facility, with my Dad and wife screwing around in front of it.

The 8th hole is one of the more interesting par 5’s I’ve seen. It’s plenty long (616 from the tips), but most of the distance is after the tee shot. To make it easier to understand, here’s a shot of the tee sign.

So the tee shot may only be 250 or so before you run out of fairway (and it tapers at the end, so don’t push it), making this a definite three shot par 5. The second shot should be all about placement, and the third should be precise, as the green is surrounded by trouble. Par here is great.

As you make the turn, you’ll have the opportunity of stopping at the halfway house (which is the same as the snack bar mentioned earlier.) The restrooms are very clean, and the snack options are expected. There’s also room to sit outside after your round and have a snack, and watch golfers pass by and the players on the range.

The tenth hole is a pretty straight-forward par 4 with bunkers lining the right side, and a few trees on the left. If you drive it a reasonable distance, be sure that it stays in the fairway. The right side turns into a very wicked hanging lie, making it tough to land on the green (spoken from experience.)

The 15th is a par 5 that is easily one of the toughest to par (for me at least). It’s tough to describe the abundance of trouble on this hole, so here’s a shot of the tee sign, for reference:

It is almost impossible to clear the water on the tee shot, so plan on laying up but remember, the fairway slopes down to the water, so take one or two less on the tee shot (tough to do on a par 5, but you’ll thank me later.) The second shot is best placed left of the bunkers, but the fairway gets very thin in the preferred landing spot, so decide if you’d rather risk a shot and have 100 yards in, or have 150-160, and lay up before the bunkers. If you look at the image, there are bunkers on three sides of the green, so a crisp shot is required.

One of the best things about playing golf is the opportunity to see wildlife, and Whisper Creek is no exception. Here’s a shot taken from behind the 16th green. I love this stuff.

The golf course finishes on a par 5 that works its way back to the clubhouse. Again, the fairway is cut into sections, requiring a second with a carry over water. Here’s what my second shot looked like.

As long as you stay out of trouble on your tee shot, the second over water isn’t too difficult. The fairway is fat enough that you’re allowed to pick a distance for your third without too much trouble. Don’t leave your approach to the green short; you’ll end up in the bunker like I did. At least it made for a pretty, final picture.

The pace of play was very good, and we finished in 4 ½ hours, which is very acceptable, especially for a Saturday morning. In addition, they don’t have permanent tee times on Saturday mornings yet (although they may be going that direction very soon), so it’s one of the few quality courses you can call on a Wednesday afternoon and still get a decent tee time for Saturday morning. Finally, if you watch their web site on a regular basis, they usually keep the “coupons” section updated, so always check prior to making a tee time.

I’m sure I’ll be playing this course again in the future, because it’s always a challenge (with or without the wind), the price is very reasonable based on the quality of the facilities and greens, and it’s relatively close to my house. Give it a shot, and let me know what you think in the comments.

Other Illinois Golf Course Reviews:

Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois
Makray Memorial Golf Club, Barrington, Illinois
Cantigny Golf Course, Wheaton, Illinois
Big Run Golf Club, Lockport, Illinois
Foxford Hills Golf Club, Cary, Illinois
Harborside International Golf, Port Course, Chicago, Illinois
Highland Woods Golf Course, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Poplar Creek Country Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
The General Golf Course, Eagle Ridge Resort, Galena, Illinois
North Course, Eagle Ridge Resort, Galena, Illinois

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Kate and I visited Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena, Illinois in May of 2007. We played the three 18 hole layouts, and I thought they all held their own, but clearly the gem of the three is The General.

The General has four sets of tees, but doesn’t use the standard red-white-blue style of naming them. Here, they use 1, 2, 3 or 4 stars (get it, 4-star general? Not bad).

The course starts off easy enough (or one would think). The first is a downhill par 4, with a pretty receptive green. Just don’t be long (which, of course, is easy to do on a downhill hole). The green drops off, and will force you to struggle for a par.

The 4^th hole is not a long hole, by any means (376 from the tips), but there is lots of trouble on either side of the fairway, requiring accuracy over length. The approach is pretty easy, as long as you don’t go left. Trust me, it’s a near-death experience (I know; I went left).

At the 5^th tee, there is a restroom facility. As most of you may know, ever since I started golfing with my wife, I’ve grown a new sense of appreciation for decent on-course facilities, and The General is up to par here. Very nice and clean.

The 6^th hole is a great par 5, and really provides a wonderful view of most of the front 9 when you get on the green. It is potentially reachable in two, but the green is pretty small, and there’s water up the entire right side.

The 9^th comes straight back to the clubhouse (as expected). The tee shot is key here; be on the left side of the fairway if you can. There is some foliage on the right which may hinder your shot. There is also a bunker right in front of the green, making anything on the right of a green tough to stick. A par here is all good.

Making the turn, and playing the uphill tenth, you come to the 11^th, a great par 3 that is all carry. The green isn’t necessarily small, but it isn’t large by any means. There are no bailout areas, making this a tough par if you miss the green.

The 13^th is a long, full par 4 (442 from tips, and even 423 from the 3-star tees), with a slight dogleg to the left. Try to cut as much off at the corner as you can. Once you get to your approach, you’ll see the sky just open up behind the green. It really is a great spot, and the next hole is even more interesting.

By looking at the tee sign, the par 4 14^th actually looks pretty short (only 357 from the tips)… Until you see the magnificent 180 foot drop from the tees to the fairway (reminded me of the 13th at the Arthur Hills Golf Course at Boyne). It’s one of those holes where you feel like you can drive it a mile. It’s easily one of my favorite holes on the course (and actually on the entire Eagle Ridge Resort property). Enjoy the view, but be careful; there’s water to the right near the landing zone, and it’s easy to miss it with such a spectacular view.

The 17^th is another strong hole, mainly because the tee shot and approach are both fully uphill. It plays to 407 yards from the tips, but is easily 40-50 yards more because of the slope. It also had an “island” fairway, that is actually pretty thin. A par here is like a birdie.

The finishing hole is a par 5, with a split fairway near the final half of the hole. I favored the right side, mainly because it’s a little fatter. With the split fairway, it does allow the opportunity to try to go for it in two, without too much recourse for an errant shot.

All in all, we absolutely loved the golf at Eagle Ridge, especially the General. That being said, we were less than impressed with the resort itself, for a number of reasons. If we were to do it again, we’d stay off property and play the three courses again.

Other Illinois Golf Course Reviews:

North Course, Eagle Ridge Resort, Galena, Illinois
Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois
Harborside International Golf, Port Course, Chicago, Illinois
Makray Memorial Golf Club, Barrington, Illinois
Big Run Golf Club, Lockport, Illinois
Foxford Hills Golf Club, Cary, Illinois
Highland Woods Golf Course, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Poplar Creek Country Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Cantigny Golf Course, Wheaton, Illinois
Whisper Creek Golf Club, Huntley, Illinois

Return to the Golf Course Reviews Homepage.

I’ve had the pleasure of playing the River Course 4 times (to date). The first was on my honeymoon (Kate and I played all 4 courses at Kohler), then we came back for our anniversary and played again, then we brought her parents up for Memorial Day weekend, and I played it twice; once with her Dad, and again with her. It’s the only course at Blackwolf Run (and at Kohler) that’ I’ve played more than twice. The reason is that it is easily my favorite course of the four.

My first tip is to play the correct set of tees. I’m fine from the blues, but when I played with my father-in-law (who’s 70), he decided he could too. I suggested the whites, but he said he’d be fine, so off we went. The worst part of playing the wrong tees is this: He would have a great drive, really catch the ball pure… and still not make the fairway. It’s a tremendous blow to the psyche, and honestly ruined the round for him. Heed my advice.

Every time we’ve played the River course, we’ve seen fisherman in the river, and this time was no exception. As we teed off on the first hole (the only true “reachable” par 5), there was a fly fisherman in the river on the left. They were also behind the tee on the 2nd hole. It seems, regardless of the time of year, there is always some type of fish “running”, and it’s always nice to see. It actually adds a level of calm to the round. Of course, it’s a calm before the storm, as you’ll see.

The first and second holes are pretty tame, but don’t be fooled; this is a Pete Dye design. The third hole is named “Gotcha”, and is the #1 handicap hole on the River course. The tee shot is fairly open, but the approach gets tighter and tighter to a small green surrounded by lots of trouble. In addition, there is a deep bunker that borders most of the right side of the fairway. Don’t be a hero on this hole; the River course is all about restraint. A hybrid off the tee is sufficient, trust me.

The 4th hole is called “Swan Lake”, but should be called “Gutshot”, especially if you play a draw, like me. All water on the right, and when I played, the pin was back right too. Of course, being the sucker I am, I went for it and just missed, taking a 5 on the hole. There is room for bailing out on the left side of the green, although not really visible from the tee.

Taking a cart on this course comes in handy, because the distance between the 4th green and fifth tee is pretty long. Not a mile or anything, but definitely made for a cart.

The fifth hole is easily one of my favorite holes. The best part is that as you approach in your cart, you can’t see the fairway until you get out, grab a club, and walk towards the tee (kind of like on the 14th tee at the Arthur Hills Golf Course at Boyne). Then almost surprisingly, the hole opens up, and it’s one of those experiences that is hard to explain to a non-golfer. The wide open fairway… the trouble spots… the beauty of the river itself, and the outstanding view. It all comes together to make you happy you’re a golfer.

Making you’re way around the front 9, the eighth is another great par 5. Lots of room to the left, but if you hit it a little right, it may not be OB. You could be pleasantly surprised from the extreme slope of the right-hand side of the fairway. The tee shot is a little daunting though; take a look.

There is a split fairway for the second half of this par 5, so choose your path wisely. My advice – don’t even consider going for it in two. The green is small, and there is no room behind it; it drops off to the river. Making par here is something to be rewarded. Luckily, the on-course halfway-house is between the 8th green and 9th tee.

Although I didn’t take a picture of it (the reason escapes me; I take pictures of everything, ask my wife), the halfway house is impressive. Every bathroom is clean, and all the fixtures are Kohler (obviously). It’s also full of brats, dogs, beer and cigars, as expected.

The 9th is another pure Pete Dye hole, called Cathedral Spires. The smart play (trust me, I’ve tried both smart and dumb plays here), is to hit an iron or hybrid to the left. There is a very thin strip of fairway that borders the water, and honestly the green is potentially reachable (only 316 from the blues). Don’t succumb to Pete’s trickery! Par is good all day long on this course. Take them when you can.

The 11th is another one of my favorite holes (I think I have 4 total) on the River Course at Blackwolf Run. It bends around the Sheboygan River, making it a definite three shot par 5. The tough choice is the second shot. If (and that’s a big IF) you hit the fairway on your tee shot, you’ll need to decide how much of the hole to cut off. Again… play it safe! A par here is like a birdie anywhere else. Here’s a view of the second shot. The green isn’t even viewable, but it’s on the far right.

Here’s the view from the green looking back towards the fairway, and the bend around the River. Like I said, play it safe. You’ll thank me later.

The par three 13th hole is called Tall Timber for good reason; there are huge trees on the left side. Add that to the fact that the prevailing wind blows left-to-right, and there’s water bordering the right side of the hole, and you have yourself one of the toughest par 3’s in Wisconsin. You’re draw better be on. If you play a fade, play a ground fade.

The 16th is another favorite. It reminds me a little of the 5th, where the hole just opens up, and slaps you in the face with its beauty, but be warned; it’s a vile temptress indeed.

After the tee shot, the hole is downhill to a green that is perched about 20 feet above the river. Again, this may sound repetitious, but don’t even try going for it in two. A par here is something to write home about. Here’s the view of your second shot, should you decide to go for it.

Oh, and if you do decide to go for it, here’s a shot of the bunker behind the green. Remember, you’ll be hitting up and out of this, and there’s a 20 foot drop-off from the green to the Sheboygan River. Not a very enviable position.

The finishing hole is pure Pete Dye, and apply named “Dyehard”. Lots of sand on the left, complete with plenty of railroad ties, a signature of Pete that is seen on every golf course at Kohler. The green doubles as the 18th green for the Meadows Valley course as well, so when you see two flags sticking out of it, be sure to aim for the closer one.

As you can see by the picture above, the clubhouse is above the 18th green, and has a restaurant (with a great outdoor deck) and a separate bar for drinks or snacks after your round. I strongly recommend taking the time (either before or after the round) to enjoy a meal and/or a drink here. This is easily one of the most peaceful places on the course, and you get the added advantage of seeing folks hit their final approach shot on two different courses into the same green. Here’s the view from the restaurant:

And finally, here’s the inside of the restaurant portion, with my wife and her parents on the left. We had the place to ourselves!

The River Course at Blackwolf Run may not be the hardest of the four Kohler courses (I think Whistling Straits has that honor), but it is impressively scenic, with a number of distinctive, inspiring holes that make you glad you’re a golfer. Because of the personal history I have with this course (honeymooned here, in-laws, etc.), I would have to say it is my favorite golf course in the country. I’ve played many, but this course is in some way “personal” to me, and that’s the biggest compliment I can give it.

To sum up my advice: Play it, but play it safe.

View the complete set of pictures from the River Course at Blackwolf Run on my Flickr page.

Other Wisconsin Golf Course Reviews:

The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
Irish Course, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin

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I’d be remiss if I didn’t start this review without mentioning the entrance gate to the Atunyote Golf Club. It’s a masterpiece of metal work. I’ve never seen anything like it; truly an impressive piece of art. Really a fantastic way to get amped up for a round of golf. After all, if they can be this lavish with the gate, what’s the course going to be like?

I played Atunyote on a Sunday morning with a good friend of mine. We were a twosome, and we had the earliest tee time of the day; 8 a.m. They offer tee times earlier, but there were no takers. The kicker; the next tee time was a foursome at 10:30! We had the whole course to ourselves.

Since it was such a joyous occasion, we decided to take a forecaddy. The difference between a forecaddie and a regular caddy (as I understand it) is that a forecaddie watches where your ball goes and helps you find it, and a regular caddy carries the clubs, looks for balls, etc. We took a cart, so didn’t need anyone carrying our bags.

One of the neat things about Atunyote is that each tee sign shows not only the picture of the hole and distances, but also has a panel explaining some of the local wildlife.

The course starts our easy enough, with a pretty straight par 4. I actually hit the green in regulation, but my partner ended up in the bunker on the right. He’s a card-carrying PGA pro, so of course, he got up and down, and I actually two-putted for a par. Great start!

The third hole is, what looks like, a pretty easy par 3. I totally flubbed it off the tee, and honestly couldn’t find it in the rough, it was so high. The forecaddie helped us look for way too long (since nobody was behind us, we took a bit longer than usual.) Nothing as embarrassing as searching for your ball with a caddy and a PGA Pro, when the ball’s about 30 yards from the tee. Owie.

The 6^th hole is another great par 3, with water on the right. I actually hit a good one here. The best part? Listening to the caddy tell the story of when John Daly played this hole. According to said caddy, he sprayed it long and right, having to hit the ball left-handed out of the junk, and made the most impressive up-and-down the caddy had ever seen! Another great reason to take a caddy!

On the ninth tee, you have the ability to order food from the clubhouse, and they’ll have it waiting for you. Nothing impressive here… Except the type of phone! Wow, was this cool to see.

Making the turn, the tenth had water on the right. Upon reaching the top of the hill, I immediately noticed how they manage keeping all the geese off the greens. I wonder why more courses don’t use this wonderful method.

The cart girl was just starting, so we decided to stop her and get a drink. As expected, this wasn’t your ordinary cart. I wonder how much Coca-Cola paid (if anything) for the rights to provide this cart?

The twelfth hole is a great par 5, with water on the right and some strategically placed bunkers. Believe it or not, I managed to avoid them, but still walked away with a bogey. The greens here are tour worthy (and in fact, the PGA Tour does play here, at the Turning Stone Championship in the fall.) This shot is from the green looking back towards the clubhouse.

The fourteenth hole has something you don’t see everyday on a golf course; a waterfall. I have to admit; it sounds kind of odd and out of place, but when you’re playing the hole, and you hear the water actually “falling”, and the babble of the brook, it’s actually pretty nice.

The 16^th was probably my personal favorite hole on the course. It’s a short par three, with tons of trouble all around. I actually birdied it with a well-placed 8-iron, and a snaky putt. What a great feeling!

The finishing hole is awesome, and absolutely full of trouble. Just look at the bunkering around the green. I actually made my par on this hole, and my partner bogied.

I ended up shooting a 40 on the back (which is just about a career back 9 for this caliber of a course), coupled with a scary but acceptable 49 on the front, for an 89. I’ll take an 89 on a PGA course all day long.

The real value of this course is that it doesn’t need to make money to exist. It’s owned and operated by a casino, so if the course itself loses money, it’s not a make or break situation. Because of that, the greens are impeccable, the pace is very laid-back, and there’s always a tee time. It’s as close as I’ve been to a private course without it actually being private. Although not inexpensive (around $200+), I strongly suggest you play it once. I was impressed from the beginning of the experience (when our car was met by staff take our bags) all the way to the end (when the locker room attendant gave us our engraved bag tags, included in the price), and everywhere in between.

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I was attending a conference in Santa Barbara, and decided to do a little digging into local courses, to see if I should bring my clubs. Found this wonderful little gem perched right on the ocean, and couldn’t pass it up. There’s something about water on a golf course (whether a river, Great Lake, or ocean) that makes it special.

I arrived at the course around 1 p.m. in the afternoon on a weekday, and ended playing my round as a single. Luckily, the group in front of me was 6-7 holes ahead, which left plenty of time to take pictures (yay for me!)

The course starts out simple enough, with the first hole right off the clubhouse. Then, you go back and forth a few times until you reach the 5th, which is an uphill par 5.

The best part of the hole is that the closer you get to the green, the more the ocean comes into view. I ended up on the right side, just short of the green. Here’s the view.

After holing my chip (yeah, right) I remember seeing a few kite-flyers just south of the golf course. I got to tell you; there’s nothing like being stuck on a plane for 4 hours, then within a couple hours, standing on a golf course overlooking the ocean. The difference is like night and day.

The 6th is a par three that runs parallel to the ocean, so lots of wind to deal with. My tee shot was close enough for a birdie try, my first legitimate shot of the day. Of course, I missed it, but still felt glad walking away with a par.

As I worked my way back towards the clubhouse, I couldn’t stop thinking of how great it was to be playing golf, even by myself. My round was actually average, or a little below average, but the sense of being on the course, and knowing that I’d already had a great time, and that I wasn’t even half-way done is truly a great feeling.

The tenth hole isn’t long (only 381 from the black), but the approach is directly into the wind. The shot is also great in that there’s a drop-off behind the green. I chickened out, and left it short, but was still rewarded with this view.

The 11th is a 224 yard par 3, but is so far downhill, the camera doesn’t do it justice. It’s a very interesting shot, because you need to adjust not only for the wind (which is right in your face), but the drop in elevation as well. In addition, the green is narrow and long, which makes it that much tougher.

The best part of the 11th is that once you’re on the green, you’re probably 20 steps from the ocean. You can see it, hear it, and smell it. I can even smell it now as I type this. What a place to be.

The 12th, 13th and 14th all border the ocean, so it’s all OB on the right. One of the best views on the course is from the 12th tee box, looking back towards the 11th green.

As you work your way through the rest of the holes (trying to make up a few shots you lost from the distraction of the wonderful views), you finally come up on the 18th. It’s a great finishing hole for two reasons. One, it’s a par 3, which is rare, and 2, it’s all carry over water, with the wind at your back. At least the green is large enough to land a ball and (hopefully) stick it.

As you can probably tell, I loved playing this course. I was lucky enough to have had perfect weather, and to have the time (as a single) to really enjoy the course and the views it had to offer. If given the chance, I’d gladly play here again.

If you play it (or have in the past), be sure to comment below on your thoughts of the course.

Other California Golf Course Reviews:

Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California

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