The Lido at Sand Valley

[JNewsted]

8 hours ago, ALo314 said:

The only reason to be within 2 hours of there?

 

You're missing out on some great non-golf experiences if that is really your take on Central Wisconsin.

You know what?  I do need to walk that one back.  It came off too snarky.  While I've never lived in WI, I've always enjoyed visiting and passing through, but I should have phrased it more around how good SV is and how it's such a major draw to pull in golfers from all over.

[PureGolf313]

On 10/11/2021 at 5:09 PM, JNewsted said:

I'm very skeptical and grumpy about the whole "private course" situation.  Like... why?  I love SV.  Have been going there since it was 9 holes and an active construction site with only a trailer.  But those courses are the only reason to be within two hours of there.  With the Keisers being such advocates for public golf, and then to build THE LIDO and have to tell all those resort golfers "oh, you can't play this one unless you know XXX or give us $$$" just hits me wrong.  But we'll see.

I will agree with you on some parts of this thread and not others. 

Disagree- "But those courses are the only reason to be within two hours of there" Lake Arrowhead courses are what sold my family on buying a lakehouse on Lake arrowhead 20 years ago, wild rock-1 Hour, Sentry World- 45 Minutes Stevens Point CC (easily accessible)- 40 minutes away Lawsonia- 1 hour 20 minutes away. 

Agree- Keisers being such advocates for public golf, and then to build THE LIDO and have to tell all those resort golfers "oh, you can't play this one unless you know XXX or give us $$$", even at that they will be shutting out a lot of people. Like you, I have seen SV from the when first piece of dirt was moved, Hunted & Snowmobiled through there before it was a golf course even. The place is special to me but it was promoted from the start that locals would be taken care of well, as popular as it has become that has been tossed out the window. Tried making a call for two groups at the beginning of the summer for August and they said sorry must be 30 days out, tried playing the " i am a local card" and they did not care. They used to have twice a year a discounted rate for locals, well that has been moved to the last Sunday afternoon that they are open in the fall.  

[Dancin]

I would hope everyone realizes the lido would not have been built without it being a mostly private course. It was only built because there were people putting up lots of money as founders to join it along with people willing to buy cabin sites near it. They did not have the cash to build it without that. The fact you will have a chance to play it should be celebrated as they would have had enough support to go fully private.

[ND2005]

55 minutes ago, Dancin said:

I would hope everyone realizes the lido would not have been built without it being a mostly private course. It was only built because there were people putting up lots of money as founders to join it along with people willing to buy cabin sites near it. They did not have the cash to build it without that. The fact you will have a chance to play it should be celebrated as they would have had enough support to go fully private.

One of the most successful golf resorts in the US, owned by the owner of 3 of the most successful golf resorts in North America. 
 
collectively who open new courses at the drop of a hat.  
 

Who has already plotted another public course at SV. 
 
who claims ultimately to want to build 10 courses at the site. 
 
but yes we are now supposed to believe is 100% dependent on rich investors for a semi-private track. 

[StudentGolfer4]

3 hours ago, Dancin said:

I would hope everyone realizes the lido would not have been built without it being a mostly private course. It was only built because there were people putting up lots of money as founders to join it along with people willing to buy cabin sites near it. They did not have the cash to build it without that. The fact you will have a chance to play it should be celebrated as they would have had enough support to go fully private.

What makes you say this? Obviously, I don’t have access to Kaiser’s bank accounts but given the golf properties he owns, I imagine he could build the Lido in each US timezone and not even receive a concerned call from his bank. 
 

I have no problems if he wants to build a private course. The fact that it’s going to be at a resort with public courses does seem a bit odd. Something like Pinehurst does with their membership would make more sense to me. 

[Dancin]

SV does not share books with Bandon. They are separate entities run as separate businesses. The father is a minority owner in SV. His sons own and run it and they do not have the resources of their father. Anyone complaining about the lido not being fully public is an idiot.

[jerebear21]

^^makes total sense.  Totally different vibe at SV compared to bandon. More younger, hip and vibrant.  Food was 10x better at SV. No exaggeration.  What people do with their money is their business.  Thankful to even be able to have a chance to book a tee time at the Lido when the time comes.  

[1lovesputters]

This would be a cool 'National Membership' opportunity to keep people and $ coming back year after year.   A new concept to support the funding but also to build the loyalty.

 

I love what Kaiser is trying to do, testing, reshaping, modelling.  Its getting us all great places to play with a seriously historic theme.  I havent been to SV yet, but Bandon is epic across the board I can tell you Cabot Cliffs is like "Streamsong Red or Bandon Trails on 17 mile drive".  Lets support him keep pushing the envelope however he needs to.