WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – I’m big on golf trails. Quite a few states have golf trails, and some have even more than one. They’re a good marketing tool for the areas involved and helpful for golfers  looking for spots where our sport is a priority.

Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the most prominent, but about 20 states have at least a semblance of one. Wisconsin, though, isn’t among them.

No state has made as big a stride in growing golf in the last two decades as the Badger State.  The creation of a golf trail – a listing of top courses within driving distance of each other that could work together for the common good – would spotlight just how attractive public golf in Wisconsin is.

Pat Stein, now the director of golf at Wild Rock,  grew up in the Dells area and has worked there for 23 years. He supports the golf trail concept.

“The Dells is known for water parks, that sort of stuff,’’ said Stein, “but it could be used as the hub. The Dells is a convenient place to get out and do other things.’’

Golfers need options away from the courses, too. The Dells certainly has those.

Two of the six courses in the Dells – Wild Rock and Trappers Turn – would fit into a trail of the state’s best courses but plenty of other good ones aren’t far away. Kohler, home of Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, and Erin Hills are about two hours from the Dells.  Those sites have hosted major championships.

Also within two hours are Grand Geneva and Geneva National, in Lake Geneva. Lawsonia and Sentry World are about an hour from the Dells and Sand Valley is less than that. That’s a lot of great golf in a relatively small area. Those stops don’t have all the side attractions that the Dells has, though.  The Dells has long been a destination for family vacations thanks to its array of lodging, tourist attractions and dining. Its boat tours started 150 years ago  and are a trademark for the area.

As for the golf there, Trappers Turn – built in 1991 – was created by architects Roger Packard and Andy North and Wild Rock – which opened in 2008 – was designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry. They started work on Wild Rock as they were finishing up Erin Hills, site of the 2017 U.S. Open.

Both Trappers Turn and Wild Rock are championship layouts that also have short courses.  Wild Rock is part of the Wilderness Resort and it has a popular dining location in Field’s Restaurant. Trapper’s Turn is part of the Kalahari Resort, and it has its own hot restaurant — named Double Cut.

These two are among the best golf resorts in at least the Midwest, and that makes them natural rivals. Which is better? Trapper’s has 27 holes, and the extra nine is a significant plus but Wild Rock gets a slight edge here as an 18-hole layout.

“I’d call it a friendly rivalry,’’ said Stein.  “We both have to work together to make it a golf destination.’’

The Dells has four other courses.  The oldest is Coldwater Canyon, part of the Chula Vista Resort.  Now an 18-holer, it’s front nine opened in 1923.  Christmas Mountain has long been a skiing destination but its golf course has come along nicely in recent years.

Most unique is Fairfield, a 12-hole executive length course that owner Jim Tracy has expanded and upgraded in the last few years. Fairfield has a particularly nice simulator room  and a 20-acre practice range that is 350 yards deep. Those things make this facility more than just golf holes and its prices are much more affordable than the resort offerings. Spring Brook, a challenging but playable nine-holer for all ages, is also available.

Neighboring communities – particularly Reedsburg and Baraboo — have their courses, too, and Sand Valley has come on like gangbusters with its steady stream of expansion projects.

“Sand Valley has been a big boon to (the  Dells),’’ said Stein. “What Sand Valley is doing is bringing people to this area.  From the resort side that helps.’’

The Dells has over 8,000 hotel rooms, and that’s added to the Dells attractiveness for golf-playing visitors.  A clear sign of that are the striking tree-house cabins that have been added at Wild Rock to bring in more golf groups.

“Spas are big now, too,’’ said Stein.  “Golf was just one more thing to do. Now people want things that involve more than just golf.  The evolution in the area is pretty amazing.  A lot of groups come here, though not as part of an official trail. From the Dells you can really spread out, and play a lot of golf. And, groups can come here and have a night life.’’

 

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Having about 100 courses, an oceanside setting and tons of lodging and dining options made Myrtle Beach a popular place for golfers to visit.  It wasn’t good enough for the PGA Tour, however – at least not until this year.

Golf’s premier circuit brought its first-ever tournament to the stunning Dunes Golf & Beach Club in May. Even without a great field the Myrtle Beach Classic received a warm welcome that encouraged city leaders.

“This high-profile sporting event not only enhances our area’s reputation as The Golf Capital of the World, but also reinforces the strong community spirit that defines the Grand Strand,’’ said Karen Riordan, president and chief executive officer of Visit Myrtle Beach. She called the inaugural playing of the event “a standout success.’’

Tournament director Darren Nelson reported that over 1,300 volunteers turned out to get the Classic off to a good start.

“With the continued dedication and support from the Myrtle Beach community the event is poised to continue to grow and evolve, further spotlighting the Grand Strand as a premier destination for golf and recreation,’’ said Nelson.

The tourney reported over 40,000 spectators attended the pro-am and four tournament rounds and claimed that the 15,281 ticketholders for Saturday’s third round was 5,000 more than expected. TV coverage on The Golf Channel was also helpful.

Oh, yes.  The golf was good, too.  Chris Gotterup, an up-and-coming 24-year old, was 22-under-par en route to winning by six strokes on a course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1948. Another young hotshot, Thorbjern Oleson, set a course record with a 10-under 61.

Vanna White, a mainstay on TV’s Wheel of Fortune and a North Myrtle Beach resident, played in the pro-am and said what many were thinking about the only new tournament on the PGA Tour in 2024.

“We relate Myrtle Beach to golf, and it’s been that way for a long time,’’ she said.  “It’s  time the PGA Tour came here.’’

No argument there, and the area’s biggest tournament – the 41^st annual World Amateur Handicap Championship – is still to come, along with a myriad of other events that have been annual attractions in Myrtle Beach.  The World Amateur will bring bring over 3,000 players to Myrtle Beach from Aug. 26-30. It’s the world’s biggest golf tournament and this two-time participant has fond memories of the experience.

The PGA Tour certainly needed to put one of its tournaments in this golfing hotbed.  Now we’ll find out if Myrtle Beach really needed the PGA Tour. Chances are both parties will benefit from the relationship that will continue for at least a few more years.

In the meantime the Myrtle Beach golf community has continued to upgrade its courses.  Our stop took us to Grande Dunes first. It has re-opened after a lengthy renovation and will return as the site of the Flight Winner’s Playoff, the climax to the World Amateur.

Next stop was Myrtlewood, a 36-hole facility that offers the Pinehills and Palmetto courses.  We played Pinehills, a layout in the final stages of a bunker renovation.  We got rained out after 10 holes.  Still, a fun day with our return likely as soon as we get back to the area.

Finally, we hit the Caledonia Golf & Fish Club – arguably Myrtle Beach’s most popular course. (At least it is our favorite).  Caledonia and neighbor True Blue make for a nifty double-round day if you choose to accept the challenge.

Because we’ve been to Myrtle Beach many times over the past 20 years we can attest to the quality of lots of other courses – Pine Lakes, River Club, Pawleys Plantation, TPC Myrtle Beach, Founders Club, Barefoot Resort’s Fazio, Dye and Love courses, King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, Oyster Bay, Thistle.  The beat goes on.

The key to Myrtle Beach’s success isn’t  because the PGA Tour has finally arrived there.  It’s because course leaders haven’t been reluctant to re-invest in their properties. For the vast majority of visitors over the years that’s been the most important thing.  That’s why Myrtle Beach has maintained its prominent position as a golf destination.

 

 

 

PINEHURST, North Carolina – These are extraordinary times for the “Cradle of American Golf.’’

The U.S. Golf Association will begin unveiling its new campus in Pinehurst on Dec. 1. This six-eight acre spot will evolve leading into the U.S. Open in June, 2024. That may turn out to be the most significant addition to the golf industry, but — shortly before the big tournament — Pinehurst No. 10 will become the first new design to open at the resort in nearly three decades. Its opening is scheduled for April 3.

In between the two openings the USGA will be working its way into a new era, and it’s been a long time coming. Discussion about the move from New Jersey to Pinehurst started during the frequent rain delays during the 2009 U.S. Open in New York. Now those talks have come to fruition.

“Our campus all along was to showcase all our values, not just our championships,’’ said Janeen Driscoll, director of brands communications for the USGA. “This community only knows us for the U.S. Opens we bring here. We truly believe this is the center of the golf universe, and we’re going to give back.’’

The USGA received $27 million from the state of North Carolina to help bolster economic development and Pinehurst donated the land.

Pinehurst also produced 1,200 on its volunteer wait list, community involvement that impressed the USGA, and the organization was also interested in working with the well-regarded North Carolina State University agronomy program.

Several Pinehurst people were hired by the USGA to open an office after the 2005 U.S. Open was played at Pinehurst No. 2. It was a small operation – a max of 20 staffers to focus on U.S. Open matters – while the corporate office remained in New Jersey. There are 350 people based there.

With the shift in headquarters the Pinehurst office staff will max out at 65.  It’s a massive facility built on land that had been used for tennis courts and is located between The Carolina Hotel and the first tee of Pinehurst No. 2 with the address of 3 Carolina Vista.

One wing of the complex will house administrative offices and the equipment testing  center. The other will have the USGA Experience on the bottom floor and the World Golf Hall of Fame on the higher floors.

At our museum in New Jersey most everything is about the history of golf,’’ said Driscoll. “About 90 percent of our collection is in a vault below ground, though, and most people don’t get to see it. We have golf bags of most every president, books dating back to 1400 and a very rich art collection related to the game of golf.  That’s why we built this. It’s not just to look back at history.’’

The World Golf Hall of Fame started in Pinehurst in the 1970s. Upon its return the Pinehurst Resort wil become the site of the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies every year a U.S. Open is held in Pinehurst. The next inductions will be sponsored by CME Group next June 10.

Some items from the New Jersey museum will be brought to Pinehurst and exhibits will change every six months. The walk through the USGA Experience and Hall of Fame will be seamless.

The USGA Experience will feature a championship gallery, interactive exhibits, movie shorts and video clips that will intrigue golf devotees.

“It’ll give us a chance to story-tell more than we had in New Jersey,’’ said Driscoll, a golf industry veteran who has been a Pinehurst area resident since 2000.  “This will be almost double the size of what we have in New Jersey.’’

The equipment test center in New Jersey will be demolished and moved to Pinehurst. The new headquarters will also be a base for the USGA to develop a national team similar to what other countries have.

That’ll be headed by Heather Daly Donofrio, who came over from the Ladies PGA Tour to become USGA managing director of player relations and development. In September Chris Zambri, associate head men’s coach at Pepperdine University, was named the first head coach of the U.S. National Development Program.

ALL THESE NEW THINGS tend to overshadow the hard work put in by the longstanding members of the Pinehurst golf industry.  The course at the Talamore Resort, for instance, once was known for the llamas that graze in an area on the back nine.  That’s still a novel feature, but the course has been renovated and is now called The New Course and its practice range includes Trackman technology.

Talamore has been an old favorite. This time we were introduced to Southern Pines, which has its own following.  Those golfers just got a new 18-hole putting course, called Overhills. It’s a Kyle Franz design.

ABERDEEN, North Carolina – The Pinehurst area has dubbed itself “Cradle of American Golf,’’ and there’s no argument here – especially given what’s coming soon.

The Pinehurst Resort has announced that it’ll open its 10^th course, called Pinehurst 10, on April 3, 2024.  Soon after that the U.S. Golf Association will open its Golf House Pinehurst to the public on July 1 with the World Golf Hall of Fame to be ready soon after that. The USGA is moving is headquarters from New Jersey to Pinehurst and the Hall of Fame is being shifted from St. Augustine, FL. Construction is well underway on both projects, to be located between The Carolina Hotel and the No. 1 tee of Pinehurst No. 2, the site of the 2024 U.S. Open in June.

For the golf traveler, the opening of a 10^th course may be more significant – especially when you know that Pinehurst No. 11 is already on the drawing board. No. 10 also has USGA ties.

“Pinehurst gave us 40 acres of land over there, some of which will be used as our test pavilion for clubs and balls’ compliance,’’ said Janeen Driscoll, director of brand communications for the USGA.  Turfgrass research may also be done there, too.

First things first. No. 10 will have a good story to tell once it opens. Reservations are already being taken for players wanting to be among the course’s first players.  It’ll be the first original course built by Pinehurst in nearly three decades.

No. 10 is a Tom Doak design that was put together in a surprisingly short time on land that once housed The Pit, a Dan Maples design that was built in the early 1980s. Its revival was rumored for a long time. This is no revival story, however.

“The Pit was successful for a long period,’’ said Bob Farren, director of golf course & grounds management at Pinehurst.  “Traveling guys always wanted to play The Pit. It had its niche.  It was really a unique golf course – rugged, short, mounds of dirt. It was successful for 25 years.  Then Michael Strantz built Tobacco Road.’’

Farren describes Tobacco Road as “a larger-scale version of The Pit.’’

“It became the next must-play course, and that didn’t bode well for The Pit,  ‘’ said Farren. “In 2008-09 we owned the property by it, and The Pit had been closed.  Pinehurst bought it in 2010, and that brought us up to 900 acres over there.’’

For a decade nothing was done with that land, then the decision-makers came to an agreement.  Doak would build a new course there, but getting the project going wasn’t easy.

“Tom wanted to do the job, but couldn’t do it until 2025 or 2026 (because of other projects he was working on),’’ said Farren.  “We wanted it done this year.  Tom said that could be done, but it’d have to be finished by September.  We had doubts about that, what with getting permits and things like that.’’

Getting a crew together at short notice was a problem, too.  A New Jersey firm said it could have 65 people there in January, but two-thirds would have to be taken away (for other projects) in six months. No problem.  The work would begin. Clearing started in late December of 2022 and the real work started in January. Angela Moser came on site as Doak’s associate architect and when we visited in mid-September Pinehurst No. 10 looked very much like a soon-to-be intriguing golf course.

While that work was being done the Pinehurst hierarchy was already making plans for No. 11.  Nothing’s been announced yet, but Farren is sure it will be coming.  The architects have been chosen and preliminary work has begun. This project has an interesting history, as well.

“Robert Trent Jones (Sr.) had owned the property there, and we bought it,’’ said Farren. “Rees Jones (son of Robert Sr.) had built our No. 7 course and the first version of No. 4.’’

A Jones-designed course was planned for that property when Pinehurst bought the land.

“Then 9/11 happened.  We had wanted to build a village there but then we had to put a chain on the gates,’’ said Farren.

That’s where the No. 11 project stands now, but probably not for long.

“No. 10 will be a concept for 3-5 years, then it’ll be a destination by itself with No. 11 beside it,’’ said Farren.  “We’ve got the routing on the ground. There’ll be cottages so people can stay on the property.’’

A tour of No. 10 with Farren verified his claim that “it’ll be an entirely different course than The Pit. It’ll be cut from the same fabric as No. 2 and No. 4 together – broad, expansive fairways, centipede turf rough with native sandscape and some wiregrass plants in the bunkers.’’

The 10^th hole of No. 10 will be a 640-yard monster with lots of humps and bumps.  There won’t be much water on the course, mainly just an irrigation pond at No. 17, and when it opens the course will be walking-only with caddies. With 75 feet of elevation change it’ll make for a good walking course.

Nos. 9 and 15 will share a tee placement.  There’ll be three types of bunkers, and they’ll be hazards with native plants in them. A bald eagle has made a home at No. 10 but the most talked about hole will be the par-4 eighth. The tee shot there will be over (or around) an unusually high mound and four more such mounds surround the green. It’ll be a hole you won’t forget.

One thing won’t be ready at opening.  There won’t be a clubhouse until 2025. The last remnant of The Pit is its old clubhouse.  It’s still standing, and has been used to house interns working on the course. For now it’s a landmark, but down the road probably not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GALENA, Illinois –  Mark Klausner changed most everything since taking over ownership of the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa four years ago – with one notable exception. We’ll get to that one later.

Klausner hosted the grand opening of his pride and joy, the Stonedrift Spa, earlier this year and it is something to behold.

The original spa, located in the resort’s Inn, measured 3,500 feet.  The new one, located in what had been the General Store, is 12,000 and was two years in the construction phase.

Its antique columns are 150 years old and came from a building in nearby Dubuque, Iowa.  They’re old, but they add to the attractive architecture of the new place.

Notable features of the new spa are lighted vanity mirrors, vaulted ceilings, saunas in both lockerrooms, a barber pole, beautiful co-ed relaxation rooms, manicure and pedicure stations, state of the art showers with power sprays, a movement studio and facilities for unusual treatments.  All those enhancements have boosted the Spa’s attractiveness for wedding planners.

Klausner declines to give a cost estimate for all the upgrades he’s given to the resort, but the Stonedrift Spa alone was a $3.5 million project and is a big boost for women guests. Colin Sanderson, the 10-year marketing and sales director, estimates that Spa users are 70 percent women.

Beyond that, long-time visitors to Eagle Ridge might not recognize the place. The 63 golf holes are still in place, but the nines on The General course were flipped. The old General Store is now located near The General and has been enlarged. What is now Lounge 289 there used to be a pro shop.

Klausner struck a deal with Illinois-based John Deere Company to revamp the golf course maintenance equipment and a new 30,000 square foot maintenance building has been built by the South course. Course conditioning has marketably improved throughout the resort because of those changes.

Solar panels have been installed at all the resort’s profit centers and striking back-lit signs have replaced the old ones at the resort entrance and in front of the Eagle Ridge Inn.

The Inn was also converted from propane to natural gas and the entire complex has been re-roofed. The computer and telephone systems have been upgraded and the indoor swimming pool, while still located in the Inn, has been given some enhancements.

There’s been some new key staffers, most notably Steve Geisz as general manager and Mel Anderson as executive sous chef within the last year.

There’s also that previously mentioned new/old one.  That would be John Schlaman.  He’s back as Eagle Ridge’s director of golf operations after leaving that post 25 years ago. His return contrasts with all the new things going on at the resort but adds a nice touch as well.

Schlaman’s first post-college job was as an assistant professional at Eagle Ridge in 1984, the year the South course opened. There’s even a classic picture in a golf shop of Schlaman teeing off on The General when that course was under construction. (It opened in 1997).

Pete Jones was Eagle Ridge’s head man then. He left in 1987 to take the head job at Cantigny, in Wheaton, IL., which was also preparing to open a new course.  The Cantigny opening came in 1989.

When Jones left Schlaman, who had also been working for five winters at Innisbrook Resort in Florida, was named Eagle Ridge’s director of golf in 1988. He stayed until 1998, then spent two years at River Hills, in Valrico, FL.

Schlaman came back to Illinois in 2002 as general manager at Prairie Landing, an upscale public facility in West Chicago that was well-known for its state-of-the-art practice facilities. He was also doing some work with a winery when Eagle Ridge beckoned again.

Ownership changes had played a part in Schlaman’s earlier departure from Eagle Ridge, but his wife had been from nearby Iowa and was also involved in the winery.  That made a return to Galena an attractive possibility.

“It wasn’t my intent to retire when we came back here,’’ said Schlaman.  “Both of us wanted to work.’’

He worked with his wife at a Galena winery until Mike Weiler, then the new director of golf at Eagle Ridge, invited Schaman to join his staff as the head pro at the South course.  While Schlaman was well known in the Chicago golf community after his Prairie Landing stint, Weiler had also been in charge at two other Chicago clubs – Bull Valley, in Woodstock, and Wynstone, in Barrington.

Schlaman was happy with his new golf role at the South course and stayed around the resort as night manager after the golf season,” he said.  “I wore a white shirt, a tie and a name tag.   That was a good move on my part because I got to know all the people within the resort.’’

Then Weiler opted to retire, announcing his decision on April 27.

“It hit me by surprise,’’ said Schlaman.  “I applied for the job when Mike left.  The (people at the resort) didn’t want to go through a hunt, and I was quick and easy.’’

At 62 years old, though, he had to take a second look at his eventual retirement plans.

“I gave them a five-year plan to transition to the next guy,’’ said Schlaman, who moved his office from the South course to The General and quickly campaigned for a range ball machine for the practice area. Artificial turf is also to go in at the back of the range to minimize damage on busy outing days.

Already a lifetime member of the PGA of America, he just had to have his membership shifted from the Illinois to the Iowa section.

While he doesn’t see a major tournament coming Eagle Ridge’s way — “the population here is a little thin,’’ he said, “but I see some regional college potential and some high school events.’’

Even before all the changes Eagle Ridge – spread over 6,800 acres — was Illinois’ premier golf resort. It has 80 guest rooms at the Inn and over 150 homes and villas located throughout the Galena Territory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HARBOR SPRINGS, Michigan – Boyne Golf has a lot to celebrate these days.

Boyne Mountain, the first of the group’s three Michigan destinations to open, is celebrating its 75^th anniversary.  The Highlands, a few miles down the road, is celebrating its 60^th and long-time senior vice president of golf operations Bernie Friedrich has been named the winner of the prestigious PGA Golf Executive of the Year by the PGA of America.

All that is secondary to the ground-breaking for the new nine-hole short course and Himalayan-style Putting Course near the Lodge at The Highlands. Described as “fun’’ and “ultra-inclusive,’’ the still unnamed layout will be Boyne’s 11^th course in Michigan.

“It’ll add an entirely new dimension to our portfolio,’’ said Josh Richter, senior vice president of golf operations for the three resorts.  “We have plans to build short courses at our other facilities in coming years as well.  Non-golfers and families can enjoy them as an activity while avid golfers can play a few more holes without playing another 18.’’

This one was designed by Michigan architect Ray Hearn. It’s located on the site of the former Cuff Links nine-hole par-3 course.  The new one will be lit to allow for night-time play and will be a big upgrade from Cuff Links.

“My favorite part of the project are the famous approximate green complexes I was able to create, drawing inspiration from some of my favorite greens in Scotland, Ireland and America that I have played and studied over the years,’’ said Hearn.  “I was able to create fun, scaled-down versions of the originals and route them along the ski slope with uphill, downhill and sidehill holes creating some thrilling golf shots.’’

Two to three fairway options are available for each hole. Construction began in mid-July and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2023.  The planned course opening is the spring of 2024.

In reality, though, it’s just the latest in a ton of projects completed or planned around the resorts.

“In the 15 years I’ve been at Boyne I’ve never seen as much re-investing and as many golf course improvements as I’ve seen in the last year and a half,’’ said Ken Griffin, the director of marketing and sales.

It all started in the aftermath of the pandemic and will continue for years.

“Ray and Bernie (now focusing on renovation projects) put together a 10-year plan for enhancements and improvements on every hole on every course at our resorts,’’ said Griffin.

Hearn’s first project was making the Highland’s Moor course more playable.  He did that last year.  He also started hole-by-hole upgrades at the Donald Ross Memorial.  One hole was done last year. Now five have undergone major upgrades.

The Alpine and Monument courses at Boyne Mountain underwent major upgrades and the sand in all the green-side bunkers was replaced on all 18 holes at the Arthur Hills course at The Highlands. Fourteen bunkers were removed at Crooked Tree, one of the courses at Bay Harbor.  Over eight miles of new cart paths and five new irrigation pumps were installed at the courses since last fall.

Golf-wise, those were the biggest projects in the start of the 10-year plan but more will come down the road and one possibility is particularly interesting.

It’s not impossible to think that Boyne might one day have a Pete Dye course.  At least Hearn and Friedrich worked one into the 10-year plan, which is a tentative thing for projects further down the road.  Dye, a legendary architect who died in 2020, designed a course for the resorts in 2002 but work on it stopped abruptly to shift resources to the creation of a water park.  It opened in 2004 and remains the largest indoor water park in Michigan.

By no means have all the recent upgrades been in the golf operation.  Most noticeable is  SkyBridge Michigan, built at Boyne Mountain at a cost of over $10 million.  It opened last October as the world’s longest and tallest timber-towered suspension bridge. The bridge is 1,203 feet long and the five-foot wide walking surface is 118 feet above Boyne Valley.  Resort guests who choose to walk it get some spectacular views and there’s also an eatery that can add to the adventure.

Newly renovated lodging accommodations were added at The Highlands and Boyne Mountain got a 32-room boutique hotel, Chalet Edelweiss.  Upgrades priced at $4 million were made at the airport at Boyne Mountain. The speed in which all these projects were completed is impressive, and they’ve initiated a change in Boyne’s perception.

The Boyne resorts have long been popular for golfers and skiers but now it’s beyond that. Boyne is approaching the same level as North Carolina’s Pinehurst Resort as far as golf goes.

“We’re the two resorts with the most holes of golf under our control,’’ said Griffin. “It’s not just the holes. It’s the resort golf experience.  We’re the two biggest in the U.S. We’ve gone from a national to an international destination.’’

Next June the Boyne resorts will host 350 tour operators from around the world at the International Association of Golf Tour Operators convention. They’ll see what a great golf experience  Northern Michigan offers.  No doubt they’ll be impressed.

 

 

 

 

SPRING GREEN, Wisconsin – This was one of those odd stops where we stayed at a golf resort — and it looked like a pretty good one — but didn’t hit a shot.  House on the Rock has 27 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., but we were there to see a couple of attractions that have intrigued us for years.

In addition to being a resort, House on the Rock proper is a complex of distinct rooms, streets, gardens and shops.  It’s not an easy place to describe, but it’s been a popular tourist attraction since 1960.

Just a few miles away is Taliesin, the long-time home of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. These places aren’t related and have very little in common other than location. Still, people come to this town to visit both.

The one area where they are similar is in their creators.  Both Wright and House on the Rock’s Alex Jordan Jr. were extremely creative guys with unique personalities.

House on the Rock is more fun than anything else.  Taliesin is more historical.  It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and spotlights the unique style that Wright was known for during his lengthy architectural career.

I got interested in Wright after reading a “historical fiction’’ book on his life, “Loving Frank,’’ several years ago.  His architectural was controversial and always evolving.  His lifestyle was as well.

Wright called Taliesin his home and design studio for most of 50 years.  He lived for a significant portion of his career in Oak Park, IL., but Taliesin was where he did his creating.  The low ceilings were the most striking from my perspective.

Taliesin is built on 800 acres with great views of the Wisconsin River and very informative  tours of one-, two- and four-hours available.

Shuttles take you from the Frank Lloyd Wright Welcome Center, which was one of his creations, to Taliesen, which is just a few minutes away.

House on the Rock, meanwhile, is a self-guided visit and has three options. The “Ultimate Experience,’’ which we chose, covers the whole place.  It gave us a good four-hour walk.  Two shorter tours are also available.

Founder Alex Jordan was the opposite of Wright, in that he was a recluse who started work on a one-man retreat in 1945. Word of the unusual things he was creating inside rock formations got out and, by 1960, Jordan decided to open it to tourists. It’s grown from there.

The “Tribute to Nostalgia’’ and “Streets of Yesterday’’ were my favorites.  Meticulouusly furnished and crafted doll houses and circus displays were impressive as were two towering carousels.  The Carousel Room had one carousel that had 269 animals; 20,000 lights and 182 chandeliers.

Music played throughout the three sections if you wanted to hear it. Tokens were required to play the music and animation machines, and you could cash the unused ones in for purchases in the gift shop.

We spent the whole day at the two attractions, the morning for House on the Rock and the afternoon at Taliesin. That was plenty enough time for House on the Rock but – if you are a Frank Lloyd Wright fan – you might need more.

The gift center there is filled with good reading on Wright and the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, 200 miles of sights and sites relative to Wright’s career, can take you through nine counties in south Wisconsin.  It offers dining, hiking, the arts and cultural opportunities not part of the Taliesin experience.