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.’’
