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Destinations
DeStinAtiOnS Far Beyond Golf at Sand Valley
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You may already know about Sand Valley. Set in the prehistoric dunescape of Central Wisconsin, Sand Valley has drawn golfers to its rugged fairways since 2016. The resort is home to three (soon to be five) award-winning golf courses – Sand Valley (Coore & Crenshaw, 2016); Mammoth Dunes (David McLay Kidd, 2018) and the 17-hole short course, the Sandbox (Coore & Crenshaw, 2018). Two new courses are on the way: Tom Doak’s jaw-dropping re-creation of C.B. Macdonald’s The Lido (2023) and Doak’s heathland-inspired Sedge Valley (2024). In other words, if it’s golf you’re after, look no further.
But there is more to the rolling and tumbling surrounds of Sand Valley than golf alone. Owners Michael and Chris Keiser are just getting started on their mission to transform their 12,000-acre property into a four-season wilderness and hospitality experience for golfers and non-golfers alike.
SEEK NATURE, AND YOU WILL FIND IT HERE Summer, with its long days, fields of green, cleansing rains and dramatic cloud formations, provides endless opportunities to explore. Fill your pack with grab-n-go items from Mammoth Bar and set out on foot or fat-tire bike to find your own personal retreat. Sand Valley is home to hundreds of species of birds, many of which you will encounter on the resort’s five miles of hiking and biking trails. If you are drawn to still waters, you will find them here. Admire the dunes from a canoe or paddleboard. Or cast a line in one of the property’s three lakes.
TENNIS, ANYONE? Maybe the most unexpected off-course pursuit at Sand Valley is tennis. Not just any tennis, but impeccably presented lawn tennis. Sand Valley’s 15 grass courts bring Wimbledon to Wisconsin.
“We have all this sand, which is perfect for turf, and all the expertise from our golf course maintenance professionals, and we just thought that grass tennis was a natural,” says Chris Keiser. “Honestly, it didn’t occur to us at first just what a rare thing it was to be able to play this type of tennis. Guests love it!”
AT HOME IN THE WOODS Indoor spaces at Sand Valley are designed to reflect nature and provide space for relaxation and rejuvenation. Modern and comfortable lodging options accommodate all types of getaways. The lodge rooms provide the perfect balance between convenience and a quiet retreat. For an even more private experience, stay in one of our beautiful cottages. Cottages are nestled among rugged sand barrens steps away from lakes or quiet groves.
When night falls, gather around the firepit on the Mammoth patio or trek
up to Crenshaw’s Cabin and take in a 360-degree view of the sky and stars. Perhaps you will find yourself beneath a shower of meteors, such as the Perseids, which light up the sky every August.
FARM TO TABLE, AS IT SHOULD BE There may be no better way to celebrate local cultures and environments than at the dining table. The culinary art of regional and seasonal fare has faded over the years, but not at Sand Valley. Lunch at the Sandbox Food Truck is the perfect easy mid-day meal. Mammoth Bar, a warm and rustic retreat, features Wisconsin craft beers, light fare, and the resort’s legendary cheese curds. Aldo’s Farm & Table is a contemporary, semi-formal dining space that features locally grown and raised fare and can accommodate a more intimate dining experience or larger groups looking for a family-style gathering.
SAND VALLEY KEEPS PURSUING The greatest summer and fall pursuits at Sand Valley cannot be enjoyed by resort guests … yet! That’s because construction is kicking into full gear this season on Sedge Village, a collection of new amenities and activities. Sand Valley guests have long asked “where’s the pool?” The answer soon will be, “behind the Sandbox, overlooking Mammoth Dunes.” The Pool House will feature an outdoor infinity pool, indoor sauna, steam and cold plunges, and massage treatment rooms, along with grab-and-go food and beverage.
Opening for the 2024 season, adjacent with Doak’s Sedge Valley golf course, will be an authentic smokehouse BBQ restaurant with interactive golf games and a full arcade, along with a patio overlooking the world’s largest putting course.
It’s not all golf at Sand Valley. The Sand Valley Tennis Center will feature a 13,000-square-foot clubhouse with a bistro serving brick-oven pizzas and other light fare, and just the eleventh Court Tennis court in America (Court Tennis is the forerunner to the game we know today).
Neal Kotlarek
A True Diamond in the Northern Michigan Rough
Looking for a bucket-list golf trip without the headaches of planning or the second-mortgage expenditures? Michigan’s Island Resort & Casino fits virtually every box on the checklist, including outstanding and affordable golf, luxury accommodations, spa services, great food, and gaming. Best yet, the resort’s location in the state’s Upper Peninsula doesn’t require a plane ticket; rather, just a scenic car drive from Chicago toward Green Bay and then head north along the lakefront.
While this is not a new property, returning guests will be delighted by the many new additions made here over the past few years. For starters, the golf options have doubled with the opening of the rugged and splendid Sage Run course a few miles away from the resort. A $33-million expansion of the hotel provides 138 guest rooms and suites geared toward golf groups; a waterpark for kids; an adults-only saltwater pool and whirlpool, and an elegant steakhouse.
“Golfers are a huge priority for the resort,” said General Manager Tony Mancilla. “There is no coincidence that the new hotel has rooms overlooking the golf course. Overall demand for golf and accommodations has increased significantly since the opening of Sage Run. It just made sense in designing the new hotel (an extension of the existing hotel). We added amenities geared toward golfers, including luxury group suites with hot tubs and access to in-room massages, along with the Drift Spa which offers body treatments, facials, and the saltwater pool.”
For golfers, of course, the first priority is the quantity and quality of the golf offerings. The resort serves up two of the top layouts in all of Michigan and expands its offerings by promoting The Perfect 4-Some Package that incorporates the highly rated Timberstone Golf Course in Iron Mountain and the stunning Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club. This quartet will challenge and inspire players of all ability levels on design, conditioning, and breath-taking views. In many ways, architect Paul Albanese found the perfect parcel of land upon which to build his Sage Run resort. Isolated from civilization on a rocky ridge fostered by a receding glacier, the course perfectly reflects the surrounding Michigan Upper Peninsula landscape. Picturesque, rugged, remote, and tranquil are just a few adjectives that come to mind when surveying the property from off the first tee. Starting at Hole 1 and proceeding through No. 18, golfers are reminded of the property’s farmland roots as thick fescue grasses protect the fairways with rock outcroppings located in unexpected areas.
Island Resort & Casino is managed by the Hannahville Indian Community and originated in 1981. The idea for the casino evolved from car bingo games that were used as fund-raisers to help the reservation’s baseball team buy uniforms. Formerly known as Hannahville Bingo and Casino, the property evolved into a full-service resort in 2007 with the opening of the hotel. The Sweetgrass championship 18-hole golf course was unveiled a year later. The layout was immediately heralded as “Best New Public Course in America” by Golf Digest..
Like Sage Run, Sweetgrass G.C. was the work of acclaimed designer Albanese. Both Albanese and his business partner Chris Lutzke were long-time associates of Pete Dye. And indeed, they offer a tribute to the late master architect with the island green-adorned No. 15. Other clever touches across the course are a slanted Biarritz green and a Redan hole. That said, Sweetgrass is not specifically a tribute course. Albanese serves up unique stretches of holes that fit the eye perfectly and flow effortlessly. Added flourishes to the design are plaques and symbols placed around the course to honor the rich history of the Hannahville Indian Community and the area’s heritage going all the way back to the 1650s.
The highlight of the front nine is the beautiful and thought-provoking 9th hole. A long drive on this par 5 challenges the player to consider a heroic second shot over a long stretch of flowing ponds leading to the green along the left side. The smarter choice is a layup short of a
Sweetgrass
Sweetgrass
A Personal Touch Like No Other Ever find yourself searching for a special gift for the golfer that has everything? You might think the popular celebrity video message company Cameo is only for reality television stars, but some of our favorite pro golfers are now available for hire. Major champions like Sergio Garcia, John Daly, Lexi Thompson, and a host of other popular pros are now available for Cameo messages. Whether it’s a birthday message, an instructional tip, or even a tournament-opening hello for your next buddies trip, Cameo can make all of your golfing fandom dreams come true. pricing varies by celebrity. cameo.com Made in the Shade You can never go wrong with gifting a quality pair of sunglasses. The biggest benefit of the UA Hustle Tuned sunglasses from Under Armour is that they transition from the course to the car and beyond with no problem. These shades look great paired-up with a polo, a t-shirt, or a suit. The TR90 frames are durable, flexible, hypoallergenic, and impact-resistant so they can withstand a ton on the golf course. The lenses are also designed to bring out contours on the course that help you play better, and perhaps find that ball you’re positive stayed in bounds. $100 underarmour.com
This Watch Means Business
If your favorite grad or dad is a golf tech junkie, look no further than the T9 GPS watch from Voice Caddie. This is the most advanced golf watch on the market because not only does it show distance, it also has green undulation layouts, V-Algorithm 3.0 which shows slope, smart green pin placement, complete hole views, and much more. All while navigating a full color touchscreen that is sure to be the envy of the entire foursome. This watch also comes with a built-in tempo practice mode, and you can track your shots and putts with ease. Added bonus, no fees whatsoever! $349.99. voicecaddie.com. A Vest for All of Us Player 2 is producing golf threads that are not only built for performance, but also built for the amateur that knows how to enjoy the game. The perfect example is the Natural Bogey Vest, which has a great name and has tons of benefits. Patented Brrr Triple Effect Cooling allows you to layer this vest over a polo with no worry of getting sweaty, and if you do it’s also moisture wicking. It’s also wind resistant, rain repellant, and has twoway stretch material for easy swinging. Available in Island Fog or Midnight Sky. $140 player2.com
Dads and Grads Gift Guide
No More Shines, Billy Duca del Cosma has all golf shoe fronts covered, no matter if you have a grad looking for style or a dad looking for comfort. The
Tomcat is an athletic design golf shoe that looks like a million bucks on the course and can easily go into the clubhouse or out to dinner with the same appeal. Highlighted by Airplay XII, which is a recyclable, innovative outsole and ARNEFLEX insole memory foam, the Tomcat is incredibly comfortable and a world away from the old saddle shoes. Italian designed and handcrafted in Europe, the Tomcat is available in light grey or navy. $209 ducadelcosma.us
Drip it and Rip it When Vice Golf began storming the golf ball market with reasonably priced, high performing golf balls they gained a mighty and loyal following. Now, Vice is turning heads with its unique and fun designs that will add a little flavor to your round. The immensely popular Vice Pro golf ball gets a paint upgrade with the Drip Lime colorway. The luminous color particles add great visibility and are also available in a red, red/blue, navy/orange (Bear
Down) or yellow/green (boo, Pack) versions.
As with all Vice balls, the more you add to your cart the bigger discount you get. $28.99 - $35.99 per dozen. vicegolf.com
The New Generation Arccos pioneered a segment of golf technology when it debuted its Smart Sensors that install into the end of your grip, providing endless amounts of data. Now, Arccos continues to innovate with the GEN3+ Smart Sensors which have improved battery life and are lower profile and super light in weight. Included in the 13-pack of sensors is a new P3 putting sensor so you can capture every aspect of your round. New shot tracking powered by A.I. is pinpoint accurate and delivers all of your shot details directly to your phone. There is no better way for your dad or grad to quickly improve their game than with this technology. $199.99 arccosgolf.com A Spirit Worth Celebrating Whether you’re clinking to a job well done or just being a great dude, a quality spirit should be poured into one’s glass. If you fancy a vodka drink, Double Cross Vodka is a premier taste that is worth your craft. This vodka is incredibly smooth due to its beginnings with water from an aquifer 200 feet below the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. Estate grown winter wheat is cold harvested making for a crisp, clean taste that will be sure to be top shelf in your home. $30 doublecrossvodka.com
Lac La Belle
Yet Another Wisconsin Treasure
By Neal Kotlarek
In my 40-plus years of reviewing golf courses, I never came across a brand new layout that had a 120-year history. That changed when I drove into the parking lot in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and was introduced to the Club at Lac La Belle. Named as one of the top four new courses in America in 2021 by Golf Digest magazine, Lac La Belle is actually a legacy property dating back to a time when golf was still in its infancy across America. Indeed, two of the club’s first golf professionals, Alex Smith and Willie Anderson, combined to win six U.S. Open championships in the early 1900s. Smith was, according to some reports, to have designed the first nine holes of the course originally known as Oconomowoc Golf Club.
So how is one of the first golf properties in Wisconsin recognized as a new course? While Lac La Belle Country Club had a long and storied history as a classic layout, the course was laid out over a wetlands area that inevitably became waterlogged following heavy rains. In 2018, the course was purchased by the Morse family who brought in Oliphant Golf Management to oversee a complete re-imagining and, most importantly, re-engineering of the 18 holes. Fairways were elevated two to three feet using 150,000 cubic yards of dirt and capped with 15 inches of sand. A new irrigation system was installed. Nuisance trees were removed. Finally, adjacent land was purchased so that four new holes (Nos. 1 through 4) could be routed away from areas that were chronically wet.
The end-result of all that work combined with the creative genius of Oliphant’s president and chief architect
Craig Haltom is a brilliant new course characterized by challenging dogleg par 4s and par 5s, scenic par 3s and magnificently rolling, multi-tiered green complexes. “The course combines the best of parkland golf with Scottish links influences,” said General Manager Tyler Morse. “This is not a vanilla course,” he continued. “We think The Club at Lac La Belle offers a unique golfing experience that includes a whole bunch of ‘wow factor’ holes.” Morse cited the 192-yard 4th hole as an example. The hole calls for a tee shot soaring over wetlands and between eight sprawling bunkers to a 50-yard-long green featuring a huge false front. Hit short of the green here and expect your shot to roll back into the fringe. When the flagstick is on the back right, a punchbowl backside of the green will literally funnel your tee shots back toward the hole. Make a hole-in-one here and be rewarded with a chance at an 1896 British one-penny.
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Where one great course leads to another
Discover 12 incredible courses at one unforgettable destination. Come PLAY and STAY with us. Book your Golf Trail Getaway today. Visit GolfAtLakeOfTheOzarks.com.
continued from page 16 massive fairway bunker to set-up a pitch to a large, sweeping green.
For the 11th year, Sweetgrass G.C. is scheduled to host the Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship June 24 – 26th. Known as the “Road to the LPGA,” the Symetra Tour is considered the most established women’s developmental tour in the world. Players compete for a $200,000 purse and the opportunity to qualify for the 2022 Evian Championship in France, an LPGA major title. “The participants tell us that we are one of the highlights on their tour year in and year out,” said Mancilla. “We work hard to give players, sponsors, volunteers, and spectators a great experience. These ladies are the future stars of the LPGA Tour and we take a lot of pride in giving everyone a memorable experience.”
Guests who take advantage of “The Perfect 4-Some” packages use the resort as a base and schedule two separate legs for visits to Timberstone G.C to the west and to Greywalls to the north. The customizable packages and lodging options include four rounds and a three-night stay starting at a mere $445 during prime season from the end of May through September 28th. “Each of the four courses is a prime venue,” said Mancilla. “Our guests are blown away by the quality and variety of the golf offered at a four-round package price
with accommodations that costs less than a single round at Pebble Beach.”
Timberstone G.C. at Pine Mountain Resort was designed by Michigan’s own Jerry Matthews and exemplifies the architect’s commitment to natural design. The course is located on a sprawling 240 acres of land and features jaw-dropping holes carved through dense forested land and accented by lakes and streams. My favorite hole on the course is the par-3 No. 4. Nicknamed “Miner’s Trick,” the hole calls for a mid-iron over sparse vegetation to a cucumber-shaped green protected on the left side by a pot bunker locals call the “Pit from Hell.” Land your tee shot in here and your score on the hole is almost certain to be something north of heavenly.
Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club may just be the most underrated golf course in America. Due to its relatively remote location, this stunning 231-acre Mike DeVries-designed layout doesn’t get nearly the acclaim it so richly deserves. As its name suggests, Greywalls features walls of sheer rock that tower above greens and massive granite outcroppings that bisect fairways. Holes ride up, down, and across boldly contoured slopes and fairways framed by mature trees and sweeping bunkers. Views of nearby Lake Superior can be enjoyed across the course’s higher elevations. My favorite hole on the course is the short 312-yard No. 5. A cleverly placed drive allows the player to weave a short iron between a mound of stone to the left of the green and a monolithic rock wall to the right.
Along with the bargain hotel and green fee rates, The Perfect 4-Some Package includes a certificate for $10 off a $50 or more apparel purchase at either Sweetgrass or Sage Run.
As a full-service complex, Island Resort & Casino offers an array of dining options as well as a regular slate of entertainment, including top country music and rock acts. The Horizons Steakhouse features nightly chef specials and premium steaks and seafood. Other options include a pizzeria, a sports bar, and a pub offering 18 draft options and 30 varieties of bottled beer.
The resort has expanded its gaming options significantly since its days as a car bingo destination. Table games are offered alongside slots, poker and, of course, bingo. Twin Spires Sportsbook serves up convenient kiosks located outside the sports bar.
Located in Harris, Mich., Island Casino & Resort is a scenic lakeside five-hour drive from Chicago. For reservations, package deals, virtual tours of the golf courses, and more information, visit www.islandresortandcasino.com.
WHY JOIN THE CHICAGO GOLF TOUR?
The Chicago Golf Tour (‘CGT’) is a great way to network & meet other like minded golfers from all over the Chicagoland area. The CGT plays the very best public & semi-private courses in IL. CGT members receive discounted greens fee rates at each event. The CGT offers the South Side Tour, North Side Tour & West Side Tour. If you like to compete against players of your caliber, have fun, and play new courses, then the CGT is the league for you!
SCHEDULE FLEXIBILITY
Life is busy. Players are given 2 weeks to play the said scheduled event. You must play with another CGT member to attest to your score, and for your round to be official. Players are allowed practice rounds.
EVENT SCHEDULE PER TOUR
DISCOUNTED GOLF
Discounted green fees at each event
COMPETITIVE PLAY
Handicap flights. Play against members of the same caliber
MEMBERS ONLY WEBSITE
Everything you need including a live leaderboard, posting scores, stat tracker, tour players, schedule etc.
NEW IN 2022
Cross Tour Attesting • Play with CGT members from our other tours and it’ll count towards official scoring for said member or vice versa. Play new courses & meet up with family & friends E Flight • 18+ handicaps will now have a stand alone flight receiving their full handicap • E flight members compete against each other for points & payouts Scratch Series • (4) - 1 day events - Dates are TBD • Compete vs the best Ams in the state • No handicap • Open invite Hit N’ Giggles Social League • Play your own set of relaxed rules • Play from whatever tees you’d like • All while still having access to the CGT website, our course partner discounts & the CGT network of community golfers SLACK - Communication Platform • Instantly communicate with other CGT members to pair up with • Target specific events, dates & courses via channels CGT Ecommerce Full Pro Shop • Access to discounted equipment - Woods, irons, putters, balls & more • CGT merchandise
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Pine Meadow GC
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Stonewall Orchard GC
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Shepherds Crook GC
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Randall Oaks GC
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Bowes Creek CC
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Village Links GC
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The Sanctuary GC
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Balmoral Woods CC
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Harborside Int’l Starboard
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Buffalo Grove GC
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Sunset Valley GC
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Bolingbrook GC
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The Highlands Of Elgin
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Blackstone GC
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Ravisloe CC
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Old Oak CC
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Cog Hill G&CC No. 2
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Thunderhawk GC
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Palatine Hills GC
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Orchard Valley GC
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Cantigny GC
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Seven Bridges GC
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Glenwoodie GC
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Kankakee Elks CC
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Calumet CC
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Chevy Chase CC
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Glencoe GC
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Klein Creek
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T H E B L U F F S
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Heritage Bluffs GC
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Prairie Landing GC
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T H E B L U F F S
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Heritage Bluffs GC
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Whitetail Ridge GC
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Ruffled Feathers GC
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