Some Things Wisconsin Golf

[Argonne69]

Are the junior caddies still available? I had a junior on MD, and he was awesome. It was great to have someone lug the clubs, and he had excellent course knowledge and was a decent green reader. Saved me a few bucks, and gave a local high school student a summer job. 

 

[_Hawk3y3_]

7 hours ago, lowlight21 said:

Excellent.  We also used our own push carts, and packing/unpacking them for the back of the car between SV and MD rounds was a bit annoying.  I believe with the shuttles you can just load your assembled push cart up into the shuttle - was that your experience?

 

6 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

We were there a couple of years back and they just put our push carts in the back of the shuttle.

Correct, they'll just open up the back door and load your entire assembly into the shuttle

[_Hawk3y3_]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Are the junior caddies still available? I had a junior on MD, and he was awesome. It was great to have someone lug the clubs, and he had excellent course knowledge and was a decent green reader. Saved me a few bucks, and gave a local high school student a summer job. 

 

They are.  A member of my church has a granddaughter who is a set to be junior caddie there this summer.

[PuttCurseRepeat]

On 6/2/2021 at 5:03 PM, Argonne69 said:

Are the junior caddies still available? I had a junior on MD, and he was awesome. It was great to have someone lug the clubs, and he had excellent course knowledge and was a decent green reader. Saved me a few bucks, and gave a local high school student a summer job. 

 

 

On 6/2/2021 at 10:03 PM, _Hawk3y3_ said:

They are.  A member of my church has a granddaughter who is a set to be junior caddie there this summer.

 

This might be something you have to ask for (Junior caddies) as I don't see it offered online and our group was not informed of the option when inquiring about caddies when we were there in mid May. Maybe it is an option when school is out.

 

This May provided generally excellent golf weather, unfortunately the two days our group was there in the second half of the month were probably the two worst, weather wise. The golf and staff hospitality experience remain top-notch, but the food service experience has declined in each of my last three visits in the past four years. In 2017 we had outstanding dinners on the patio overlooking the almost finished Mammoth Dunes course. Every appetizer and entrée in our group was surprisingly delicious, the staff was prompt and friendly and the Head Chef even came to our table to chat. Our second trip to the Mammoth Bar, in 2019, had our appetizers find their way to the table after our entrees, which were low-lighted by an unspectacular serving of the Walleye which had wowed us two years earlier. At our most recent meal in the Mammoth Bar, we waited (while dealing with a drink snafu) 40 minutes for our dinners which mostly consisted of chewy, way over-salted skirt steak. Even Craig's Porch was a bit of a letdown with only one employee behind the counter to service a full tee sheet of guests. I would describe it as "slapdashed". The tacos were barely warm and I do miss the sliders.

 

My conclusion was that they weren't able to hold on to the staff they brought in to open the lodge in 2017. I understand how difficult it must be to attract and hold the level talent which compliments the rest of the resort, particularly in regard to the kitchen staff. I'm sure the availability of help will increase during the summer months and I still give high marks to the front-of-the-house staff who fairly compensated us for our disappointing dinner. We still had a great time but the down-shot is that our group has become disincentivized to stay on the property, aside from golf.

Edited June 4, 2021 by PuttCurseRepeat

[Argonne69]

On 6/2/2021 at 10:03 PM, _Hawk3y3_ said:

They are.  A member of my church has a granddaughter who is a set to be junior caddie there this summer.

 

I guess it makes sense that it's a summer-only offering. I was there on Labor Day weekend.

 

[J_Birdie]

I played all 3 SV courses, Lawsonia Links, The Bull, Erin Hills and all 4 Kohler courses for my golf trip last week and every single course was in phenomenal condition. 

 

We were moved up a few tee times for Mammoth and our slated caddy was not available so I was given a rickshaw gratis and my other comrades got a high school junior caddy. She was awesome. She even came back the next day for SV and she was awesome. I traveled with a PGA who was a former caddie master at Whistling Straits and Dallas National and he had nothing but high praises for her. He said she was the best caddie we had all trip. So the junior caddies at SV seem legit! 

[BG5]

What would be the cost including tip for a junior caddie?  I dont want to low ball any kid and am more looking for a bag carrier.  Thoughts on this?

[J_Birdie]

We tipped the kid the same amount as normal 

[Divot_Forensicist]

8 hours ago, J_Birdie said:

I played all 3 SV courses, Lawsonia Links, The Bull, Erin Hills and all 4 Kohler courses for my golf trip last week and every single course was in phenomenal condition. 

 

We were moved up a few tee times for Mammoth and our slated caddy was not available so I was given a rickshaw gratis and my other comrades got a high school junior caddy. She was awesome. She even came back the next day for SV and she was awesome. I traveled with a PGA who was a former caddie master at Whistling Straits and Dallas National and he had nothing but high praises for her. He said she was the best caddie we had all trip. So the junior caddies at SV seem legit! 

What’s her name? My wife and I will be there first week of July, so maybe we can request her as one of our caddies.

[J_Birdie]

Faith was her name. She only single bags for now, hence I has to get a rickshaw, but she was good!

[bankkur74]

Has anyone used a fore caddie at MD&SV lately.  We are playing this upcoming weekend and taking our own carts, but have debated using a fore caddie as we don’t remember the aim points and greens from last time.  If they do and somebody used lately, is a rate of $40 per round still applicable? 

[taylorx300]

Has anyone played Lakewood in Lake Geneva? Was invited and want to get some feedback. Satellite view on the layout shows some crazy design features. If you played it, would you say thumbs up or down?

[loudizzzle]

Just got back from my buddies trip to SV. It was the best time and had great caddies. While there I was lucky enough to meet fromer Super Bowl champ SIdney RIce and Mammoth course designer David McLay-Kidd. I can give recommendations on the caddies we had during our trip if anyone is looking for when they go this summer. I already cant wait to go back for another trip. 

[ode]

Played Lawsonia Woodlands for the first time after renovations on Thursday a.m.  first off with my regular 4some at my home course.  It definitely is an improvement.  I found it to be more playable off the tee and more friendly into the green.  You can tell where they filled in the old bunkers and reworked the others.  Some of the areas near the fairway bunkers that have been re-worked need some grow in.  There are some areas that are roped off and essentially dirt with weeds growing. Hit those areas twice, which was no big deal and considered it GUR and moved ball equal distance in the fairway.  Those shots would have been in bunkers pre renovation. Not sure if those areas will be rough or fairway once they sod/seed (assuming they just haven't gotten to those areas yet).  The re-worked bunkers are really nice, smaller, shaped nicely with good sand.  The areas by the green where they re-worked bunkers are filled in with fairway sod (there are 2-3 areas at the beginning of the fairway where they got the sod from and are dirt ~ 20-30 yards worth) came in really well.  It's still the woodlands but a more playable version and IMO will look great once those areas that need grass are sodded/grown in.  I did not play the course any differently (club selection off tee), but did not need to hit a perfect shot off the tee just to have a chance to be in the fairway.  And I birdied #14😎.  Bunted driver off the tee, it leaked ever so slightly right, kicked off the mound of the tree and stayed in the rough by an inch.  I thought it was going be down the fairway more but the rough caught it.  176 to a back left pin.  Hit a nice high baby draw with a 7i to about 4 feet and made the putt!  Shot of the day!  Not sure what they are doing with the other green off of 18...but if they are making a par 3 19th hole with where the green appears to be it's not gonna be very safe as it's just past the fairway/rough 70-80 yards out on the approach to #18.  I must have not understood what the plan was......I thought they made a new green for #18 and were using the old one for the #19 par 3?  Had a good time.  My playing partners all like the Woodlands vs. The Links.  Links is my favorite course and driving in and seeing #2 and #3 and the baked out conditions just killed me to not play the links that day.  Love playing it anytime, but especially when it's playing extra firm and fast!

 

Been a great 3 days of golf:

 

Wednesday-

 

Wild Rock followed by Northern Bay

 

Thursday-

 

Lawsonia Woodlands followed by Glacier Woods in Iola.

 

Friday.  Intended on getting up for Spring Valley CC in the a.m. but my body would not allow for it.....needed some extra shut eye.  Riverside in Janesville in the afternoon and Glen Erin this morning!

 

The greens at WR were verticut and the fastest I've ever played.  We were first off and they were pure!

 

With the weather around the state there are some fast tracks.  I know it's not ideal for the grass and maintenance, but I love these conditions!

 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2021 by ode

[collje26]

11 hours ago, ode said:

Played Lawsonia Woodlands for the first time after renovations on Thursday a.m.  first off with my regular 4some at my home course.  It definitely is an improvement.  I found it to be more playable off the tee and more friendly into the green.  You can tell where they filled in the old bunkers and reworked the others.  Some of the areas near the fairway bunkers that have been re-worked need some grow in.  There are some areas that are roped off and essentially dirt with weeds growing. Hit those areas twice, which was no big deal and considered it GUR and moved ball equal distance in the fairway.  Those shots would have been in bunkers pre renovation. Not sure if those areas will be rough or fairway once they sod/seed (assuming they just haven't gotten to those areas yet).  The re-worked bunkers are really nice, smaller, shaped nicely with good sand.  The areas by the green where they re-worked bunkers are filled in with fairway sod (there are 2-3 areas at the beginning of the fairway where they got the sod from and are dirt ~ 20-30 yards worth) came in really well.  It's still the woodlands but a more playable version and IMO will look great once those areas that need grass are sodded/grown in.  I did not play the course any differently (club selection off tee), but did not need to hit a perfect shot off the tee just to have a chance to be in the fairway.  And I birdied #14😎.  Bunted driver off the tee, it leaked ever so slightly right, kicked off the mound of the tree and stayed in the rough by an inch.  I thought it was going be down the fairway more but the rough caught it.  176 to a back left pin.  Hit a nice high baby draw with a 7i to about 4 feet and made the putt!  Shot of the day!  Not sure what they are doing with the other green off of 18...but if they are making a par 3 19th hole with where the green appears to be it's not gonna be very safe as it's just past the fairway/rough 70-80 yards out on the approach to #18.  I must have not understood what the plan was......I thought they made a new green for #18 and were using the old one for the #19 par 3?  Had a good time.  My playing partners all like the Woodlands vs. The Links.  Links is my favorite course and driving in and seeing #2 and #3 and the baked out conditions just killed me to not play the links that day.  Love playing it anytime, but especially when it's playing extra firm and fast!

 

Been a great 3 days of golf:

 

Wednesday-

 

Wild Rock followed by Northern Bay

 

Thursday-

 

Lawsonia Woodlands followed by Glacier Woods in Iola.

 

Friday.  Intended on getting up for Spring Valley CC in the a.m. but my body would not allow for it.....needed some extra shut eye.  Riverside in Janesville in the afternoon and Glen Erin this morning!

 

The greens at WR were verticut and the fastest I've ever played.  We were first off and they were pure!

 

With the weather around the state there are some fast tracks.  I know it's not ideal for the grass and maintenance, but I love these conditions!

 

 

 

Regarding 18 on the woodlands it will be a “19th hole” to the old green. The links is absolutely in stellar shape. 

[reperna]

Hey everyone, Playing erin hills this weekend. Thinking about adding another 18 holes onto sunday. What would be a good place to look at? Hoping its on the way home to chicago. Not really looking to drive more north. 

[Phreddy]

Washington County is a worthy track a stone's throw from Erin Hills.

[games]

I would echo Washington County.  You could also go south about 7-8 miles to Nagawaukee.

[geochitown]

or you could try to play at Club at Lac La Belle

[ode]

9 hours ago, reperna said:

Hey everyone, Playing erin hills this weekend. Thinking about adding another 18 holes onto sunday. What would be a good place to look at? Hoping its on the way home to chicago. Not really looking to drive more north. 

Morningstar is worth a look!

[reperna]

6 hours ago, geochitown said:

or you could try to play at Club at Lac La Belle

I was thinking this!

[DCbogey]

On 6/18/2021 at 1:47 PM, loudizzzle said:

Just got back from my buddies trip to SV. It was the best time and had great caddies. While there I was lucky enough to meet fromer Super Bowl champ SIdney RIce and Mammoth course designer David McLay-Kidd. I can give recommendations on the caddies we had during our trip if anyone is looking for when they go this summer. I already cant wait to go back for another trip. 

Must’ve been out there the same time as you guys because SR & DMK were in the groups around us both days. If you were in the group with the man down in 16 bunker at SV, then we were hanging both days out there. Great place and amazing weather last week!

[loudizzzle]

11 hours ago, DCbogey said:

Must’ve been out there the same time as you guys because SR & DMK were in the groups around us both days. If you were in the group with the man down in 16 bunker at SV, then we were hanging both days out there. Great place and amazing weather last week!

Haha yea thats us. I was in the group with the guy who went down in the 16th bunker. Small world. 

[jwhite86]

Has anyone played The Baths at BWR/ Kohler yet? Have a tee time for Friday afternoon and I'm wondering what to expect

[Phreddy]

1 hour ago, jwhite86 said:

Has anyone played The Baths at BWR/ Kohler yet? Have a tee time for Friday afternoon and I'm wondering what to expect

There is an article in today's online Golfweek that includes an aerial video tour.  Looks fun!

[DCbogey]

13 hours ago, jwhite86 said:

Has anyone played The Baths at BWR/ Kohler yet? Have a tee time for Friday afternoon and I'm wondering what to expect

Played it in mid-June and had a great time. We were out there on a package deal, so it was a “free” round. Look and feel is like a mini-version of the Irish Course at Whistling Straits and the walking paths are similar to WS as well. The template holes were enjoyable - the water features and stonework honestly seemed unnecessary but it’s a fun round for sure. Load up on F&B at the starter shack because the routing doesn’t bring you back until after the 10th and final hole. Didn’t get to do the putting course, but certainly seems worth checking out while you’re there.

[ode]

On 6/19/2021 at 8:25 PM, collje26 said:

The links is absolutely in stellar shape. 

Played yesterday late afternoon.  I have never seen it look so good.  The greens were soft and slow compared to what I'm used to.  Must have been quite a bit of rain through the area in the last week+(likely watering the greens often prior to that as it was so dry).

[collje26]

1 hour ago, ode said:

Played yesterday late afternoon.  I have never seen it look so good.  The greens were soft and slow compared to what I'm used to.  Must have been quite a bit of rain through the area in the last week+(likely watering the greens often prior to that as it was so dry).

 

Yeah we've been hammered by rain. I was out there for awhile yesterday on the putting green and they were slow. It seems like they aerated or punched the surroundings of the greens as well? Not sure what the reasoning was for that.

[ode]

14 minutes ago, collje26 said:

 

Yeah we've been hammered by rain. I was out there for awhile yesterday on the putting green and they were slow. It seems like they aerated or punched the surroundings of the greens as well? Not sure what the reasoning was for that.

It was a unique experience at the links as with a mid iron or less, could go right at pins.  And I could not get myself to hit it (putting) as I was at the "links".  Had a super day tee to green.  Snuck one in the low side on #8...back right pin.  Hit one pin high.  5 footer with about 5-6" of break R to L. There were some tough pin locations yesterday!

[sleuth]

Playing SV/MD, Lawsonia Links/Woodlands in a few weeks. Thinking about adding an additional night for some local fishing and play Northern Bay. Super excited.