NEKOOSA — “So, the rest of Wisconsin doesn’t look like this?”
Fair question from a guy who was visiting from St. Louis. We were in the same group playing a golf course called Sand Valley. As native Wisconsinites, my dad, stepmom and I kind of assumed the host role, proudly answering questions and bragging up the state. No, we informed Jimmy. The rest of Wisconsin doesn’t look like this.
Sand Valley is a sprawling golf resort built on dunes in central Wisconsin. About an hour north of Wisconsin Dells and just south of Wisconsin Rapids, the land is carved out by ancient glaciers. It features three golf courses, with a fourth in the design phase.
The property has been a topic of conversation among area golfers for years, as devotees to the game began hearing buzz that “Bandon Dunes Guy” was building an amazing golf course here. Mike Keiser is the owner of the renowned, destination golf resort in Oregon.
Keiser got on board in 2013, and Sand Valley officially opened four years later. Golf Magazine called it “Best New Course You Can Play” that year. The resort features a 17-hole, par-3 course called The Sandbox and another regulation course called “Mammoth Dunes," both of which opened in 2018.
“Have you played Sand Valley yet?” Anyone who golfs around here has surely been asked that question in some form the last few years.
The question usually includes “yet,” as if to suggest if you haven’t been there, surely you were planning a trip.
I began to feel like the last golfer in the state who hadn’t been there! My dad and I had planned to play in spring of 2018, but twice had tee times snowed out. Finally, we got out there in early September. So, yes, I’ve played Sand Valley. I took tons of pictures to share. If you haven’t played Sand Valley, click herefor more information.
