Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press August 9, 2015 | 1
AUGUST 10 - 16, 2015 WHISTLING STRAITS KOHLER, WISCONSIN
HOLE 9. Photo by Kohler Co. A PUBLICATION PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED BY
2 | August 9, 2015
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press
PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CHAMPIONSHIP SHOPS GRAND OPENING Saturday – Sunday, Aug. 8-9: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK (AUG. 10 - 16) Monday – Wednesday: 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Friday: 6:15 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
PLAYER STARTING TIMES PRACTICE ROUNDS Monday – Wednesday: 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. The Pairings Board will be located near the Main Spectator Entrance and is continually updated as players begin their rounds from either the 1st or 10th tees.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS
TROPHY PRESENTATION CEREMONY
Thursday – Friday: 6:45 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Championship Round starting times are considered approximate, and are based on the assumption that there are no delays, inclement weather, etc.
The Wanamaker Trophy Presentation Ceremony will take place on the 18th Green immediately following the end of play on Sunday, Aug. 16. In the event of a tie for first place after 72 holes, there will be a three-hole aggregate score play-off on Holes 10, 17 and 18. If the score remains tied at the conclusion of the play-off, a hole-by-hole play-off will take place until the tie is broken. The hole-by-hole play-off will begin on Hole 18, and move to 10, 17 and 18 repeated. The Wanamaker Trophy Presentation Ceremony will occur immediately following the play-off.
TELEVISION COVERAGE
All times listed are Central Daylight Time. THURSDAY and FRIDAY, AUG. 13-14 Live Coverage, TNT 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Highlight Show, CBS 11:37 a.m. – 12:07 a.m. SATURDAYand SUNDAY, AUG. 15-16 Live Coverage, TNT 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Live Coverage, CBS 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
by the numbers
200,000
The number of expected visitors
24
The number of Scottish Blackface sheep call Whistling Straits home
500
The number of sand bunkers on the course
7,000
The number of truckloads of sand — approximately 105,000 cubic yards — required to fill those bunkers
Information provided by the 2015 PGA Championship Spectator Guide
14
The number of course water hazards
5
The number of miles of walking distance for The Straits’ 18 holes
180,000
The number of bottles of Aquafina water in stock at course concessions
120,000
Bottles of various Pepsi products including Gatorade in stock
17,000
Bags of chips and pretzels in stock
6,000
Chocolate chip cookies
10,000
The number of pounds of BBQ pork on hand
60,000
Number of fresh grilled hamburgers
Surrounded by the gallery he hit into, Dustin Johnson hits his approach shot on No. 18 Sunday Aug. 15, 2010 during the final round of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty on the shot for grounding his club in a bunker. Photo by Bruce Halmo/Gannett Wisconsin Media PGA CHAMPSIONSHIP TAB is published by the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter and the Sheboygan Press. Contents of the section are for Herald Times Reporter and Sheboygan Press. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior consent of Herald Times Reporter and Sheboygan Press. For information, contact Dale Mahloch at 920-686-2124 or Dave Liebelt at 920-453-5120. Publisher / SCOTT JOHNSON | General Manager & Advertising Director / Lowell Johnson | Advertising Manager Manitowoc / DALE MAHLOCH | Advertising Manager Sheboygan / Dave Liebelt Editor / Kevin Anderson | Graphic Artist / Marie Rayome-Gill
20,000
Number of Oktoberfest - Footlong Brats
200
Tons of ice used on-site, minimum
Source: Levy Restaurants, caterer and concessionaire for the 2015 PGA Championship; Kohler Co.
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press August 9, 2015 | 3
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Tents erected as seen June 22, 1951 at Camp Haven near Haven. Whilsting Straits would later be built at the location.
Whistling Straits through the years:
Championship golf course fashioned from old Army base By Rachael Lallensack Overlooking two miles of shoreline, Whistling Straits has built up a highly regarded status as a challenging professional course, even for golf’s greats. In the
course’s short 17 years since its founding in 1998, it has hosted five major tournaments and competitions. What was once the site of a 1950s U.S. army aircraft training facility, World Golf Hall of Fame golf course designer Pete
Dye created a course that mimics the rugged seaside bluffs of golf’s birthplace 400 years ago in the British isles . His emphasis on authenticity is clear even in small detail, like the herd of 40 Scottish Blackface sheep that graze on the course. The name, according to his own account, came to Herbert V. Kohler Jr. as he walked the course in its early construction on an especially gusty day overlooking Lake Michigan: “A north-to-south gale was whistling along the bluffs, and white caps were breaking on the rocky shoreline — the straits — of Lake Michigan,” according to an account on the Destination Kohler web site.
Guns at Camp Haven as seen June 22, 1951 near Haven. Whistling Straits would later be built on the site of the camp.
According to a Whistling Straits fact sheet on the official website:
From 1949 to 1959, the site was home to Camp Haven, an Army base where troops were trained to use antiaircraft guns. At one time there was almost 600 soldiers stationed at the base.
Famed golf course designer Pete Dye smiles before the start of media day Friday June 12, 2015 at Whistling Straits near Haven.
The area was owned by Wisconsin Electric, which hoped to build a nuclear power plant there before local government blocked the proposal. The site became mostly a garbage dump and a youth hang out, surrounded by farmland. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press August 9, 2015 | 5 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
Kohler Co. purchased the property in 1995. Whistling Straits opened to the public in 1998, the second local Kohler golf course after Blackwolf Run. In 1999, the PGA Club Professional Championship was held at Whistling Straits, just one year after the course’s public opening. It drew 18,000 spectators. In 2004, Whistling Strait’s first PGA Championship was held. When the deci-
sion to host was announced in January 2000, the course had been open for a mere two seasons. At the time, PGA President Will Mann said the course had already shown its worth and would prove to be a challenge. Vijay Singh took the title after 72 holes of play, including a three-hole playoff to break a three-way tie for the lead. This was Singh’s second PGA Championship title. In 2007, the U.S. Senior Open was held,
An early aerial photo of Camp Haven near Haven. The camp is where Whistling Straits would later be built. Sheboygan Press Media file photo
drawing 125,000 spectators. The Senior Open saw a historic comeback in what was described as a “thrilling championship” over a Fourth of July holiday weekend. Brad Bryant won the title after passing Tom Watson in the third round with a birdie on the 16th hole. He won by three strokes and finished 6 under par. In 2010, the course hosted its second PGA Championship. It mirrored the first with another round of playoffs to deter-
mine the winner. In a three-hole duel between Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson, Kaymer came out on top with his first major championship title. 2015 PGA Championship; To come Aug. 13 through Aug. 16, 2015. About 200,000 visitors are expected. 2020 Ryder Cup will be hosted at The Straits.
The clubhouse of Whistling Straits as seen Tuesday September 16, 2014 near Haven.
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Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press
SPECTATOR’S GUIDE 97th PGA FOR TICKETHOLDERS CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD PHOTOS / AUTOGRAPHS Cameras are only allowed at Whistling Straits during practice rounds Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and are not permitted onsite during Championship Rounds, Thursday through Sunday. Mobile device cameras may not be used to take photos during Championship Rounds. Autographs may be requested and given at the contestants’ convenience at the Practice Range and Putting Green during Practice Rounds only.
ADMISSION POLICY There will be no daily re-admission to the grounds of Whistling Straits. If you leave the grounds, you must have a full ticket to return to the Championship. Once the bottom of the ticket has been scanned, it will no longer provide admission. The only exception is when the Weather Warning signs have been posted. Please wear your ticket in plain view at all times.
JUNIOR ADMISSION POLICY Up to four complimentary junior admissions, for those 17 and younger, are allowed with every paid adult ticket. Junior admissions may be obtained at the Admission Sales & Will Call Office at the Main Entrance on the day of entry. Wanamaker ticket upgrades for juniors may be purchased for $20 per day at the Admissions Sales & Will Call Office, to accommodate those being chaperoned by an adult with a Wanamaker Club ticket. Junior tickets do not gain access into private hospitality areas.
MILITARY ADMISSION POLICY Active Duty, Retirees, Active Reserve, National Guard, Department of Defense Civilians and their accompanying spouse may receive complimentary Daily Grounds tickets. Upon arrival, Military personnel must go to the Admissions and Will Call Office at the Main Spectator Entrance to present their Military ID (spouse must present Dependent ID) in exchange for Daily Grounds tickets.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY FOR SPECTATORS Leader Boards and Thru Boards will post Weather Warning Sign when inclement weather is approaching. When the signs appear, spectators are advised to take precautions and seek shelter PRIOR to play being suspended. If the sirens sound, seek shelter immediately. In the event of inclement weather, please avoid grandstands, telephone poles, golf carts, bodies of water, metal fences, tall or isolated trees, hill tops and high places, open fields.
MOBILE DEVICE POLICY Those wishing to use their mobile devices will be asked to adjust the volume setting to “silent” or “vibrate” while at the Championship. Accepting or making phone calls are restricted to “phone zones,” primarily near concession stands. Checking messages or data is allowed. No video recording is allowed.
APP AND WIFI Download the official PGA Championship app—watch live video, get the latest news updates, track your favorite players and follow hole-by-hole scoring all Championship long. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the areas around the Main Entrance, The Championship Shops, Public Food Court, Practice Range, Putting Green, Clubhouse, Wanamaker Club, 1st Tee, 17th Green and 18th Green.
ITEMS TO LEAVE AT HOME All bags will be searched upon entering the Championship. Not allowed are backpacks of any size or bags larger than 10-inches square in their natural state; personal electronics such as, hand-held games, radios, televisions, iPods; selfie sticks; oversized chairs with wide arm rests; small, portable folding chairs are permitted. weapons of any kind, regardless of permit, including pocket knives. One bottle of water with unopened seal per spectator is permitted.
Whistling Straits August 13-16, 2015 Byeong Hun An Kiradech Aphibarnrat Sang-Moon Bae Rich Beem Thomas Bjorn Steven Bowditch Keegan Bradley Mark Brooks Scott Brown Brian Cairns Paul Casey Alex Cejka Kevin Chappell Tim Clark Darren Clarke George Coetzee John Daly Jason Day Graham DeLaet Matt Dobyns Luke Donald Jamie Donaldson Sean Dougherty Victor Dubuisson Jason Dufner Ernie Els Matt Every Tommy Fleetwood Rickie Fowler Charles Frost Jim Furyk Brian Gaffney Stephen Gallacher Sergio Garcia Fabian Gomez Branden Grace Bill Haas James Hahn
Padraig Harrington Ryan Helmine Charley Hoffman J.B. Holmes Billy Horschel Mikko Ilonen Thongchai Jaidee Miguel Angel Jimenez Dustin Johnson Zach Johnson Brett Jones Martin Kaymer Ryan Kennedy Chris Kirk Brooks Koepka Johan Kok Matt Kuchar Anirban Lahiri Pablo Larrazabal Danny Le Marc Leishman Alexander Levy David Lingmerth Davis Love III Shane Lowry Joost Luiten Hunter Mahan Ben Martin Hideki Matsuyama Graeme McDowell Rory McIlroy Shaun Micheel Phil Mickelson Francesco Molinari Colin Montgomerie Ryan Moore Alan Morin Alexander Noren
Jeff Olson Louis Oosthuizen Ryan Palmer Austin Peters Ben Pollard Ian Poulter Adam Rainaud Richie Ramsay Patrick Reed Justin Rose Charl Schwartzel Adam Scott Webb Simpson Vijay Singh Brandt Snedeker Brent Snyder Bob Sowards Jordan Spieth Henrik Stenson Robert Streb Steve Stricker Grant Sturgeon Andy Sullivan Nick Taylor David Toms Omar Uresti Daniel Venezio Camilo Villegas Jimmy Walker Marc Warren Bubba Watson Lee Westwood Bernd Wiesberger Danny Willett Tiger Woods Y.E. Yang Steven Young As of July 20. Courtesy of PGA Media Center
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press August 9, 2015 | 7
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Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press
Tiger, Spieth and The Straits
Five big storylines heading into the PGA By Steve DiMeglio USA TODAY Sports Five years ago this week, when the PGA Championship descended onto the cliffhugging Straits Course at Whistling Straits for the final major of the season, Tiger Woods was the undisputed lead story. That wasn’t news. Woods has been golf’s most popular and polarizing figure since he turned pro in 1996, his genius with a club in hand igniting record TV ratings and attention. But that week in the Badger State, less than a year removed from a shocking sex scandal that was exposed after he drove a Cadillac Escalade over a fire hydrant near his former Florida home, Woods was working to repair his image and form. After winning seven times worldwide in 2009, the world’s No. 1 player was winless when he headed to Wisconsin. His game and mind clearly were off as he had just finalized his divorce from his former wife, Elin, and in May split with swing coach Hank Haney. As the 92nd PGA Championship played out, Woods remained in the headlines despite his erratic play as he tied for 28th.
He was the top story until Dustin Johnson grounded his club in a bunker he didn’t think was a bunker on the 72nd hole. The subsequent two-stroke penalty dropped him out of a three-hole playoff, where Martin Kaymer defeated Bubba Watson. While Kaymer hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy, it was Johnson’s tragic ending that remains the enduring image of the tournament. Spieth still chasing history Woods and Johnson are back at Whistling Straits this week for the 97th edition of the PGA Championship, both looking for breakthroughs in their games. But neither is the top storyline this week. Without question, Jordan Spieth is the epicenter of golf these days. The 22-yearold with a big game and matching personality and demeanor has become the face of golf alongside Woods. Spieth’s success in 2015 is as staggering as Woods’ struggles. Spieth has won four times, including the year’s first two majors. While his bid to become a story for the ages dissolved in the twilight at the British Open in July on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, history still beckons for
the young Texan with the best short game in golf. On the Old Course, Spieth was trying to join Ben Hogan as the only players to win the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open in the same year. A win would have set him up at the PGA Championship to go where no man had gone before – to the first tee with a chance to win the calendar-year Grand Slam.
“Sights are set on the PGA Championship,” Spieth said in St. Andrews before heading off to a two-week vacation. “ … I made a lot of the right decisions down the stretch and certainly closed plenty of tournaments out, and this just wasn’t one of those. It’s hard to do that every single time. I won’t beat myself up too bad because I do understand that.”
Spieth’s historic march to a Grand Slam, however, ended as his putt through a depression known as the Valley of Sin on the final hole ended up just a hair to the left of the hole, leaving him one shot out of a playoff. As gracious in defeat as he is in victory, Spieth, the world’s No. 2 player, waited out a four-hole, three-man playoff to congratulate the victor, Zach Johnson.
Major heartbreak for Johnson Spieth’s main rival wasn’t in St. Andrews and might not be in Sheboygan, Wis., for the PGA Championship. Rory McIlroy, the world’s No. 1 player and winner of the Wanamaker Trophy in 2012 and 2014, is kicking himself after rupturing ligaments in his left ankle on the soccer pitch while playing with friends two weeks before the British Open.
Spieth can still write himself into golf’s history books this week. Only two players -- Hogan and Woods -- have won three majors in a season during the modern era. And no one has won the three majors contested in the U.S. in the same year.
McIlroy was unable to defend his British Open title. His status for his defense of his PGA Championship title is also in doubt. McIlroy immediately started rehab on the ankle and was progressing well, but his return to the golf course is unknown.
History aside, Spieth is just concentrating on taking home the Wanamaker Trophy.
He finished in a tie for third with Zach Johnson in the 2010 PGA Championship, one shot ahead of three players, including Dustin Johnson. Dustin Johnson, the big-hitting South Carolinian, returns to Whistling Straits still looking for his first win in a major championship. While he’s won at least one PGA Tour title each of the past eight years, he’s suffered heartbreak in majors. There was the 2010 U.S. Open where he squandered a three-shot lead after 54 holes with a final-round 82. Then he had the bunker incident at Whistling Straits two months later. At the 2011 British Open, he knocked his second shot on a back-nine par-5 out of bounds and finished in a tie for second. And there was this year’s U.S. Open, where he stood over a 12-foot putt for eagle and victory on the 72nd hole at Chambers Bay. He three-putted and lost to Spieth by one shot.
Vijay Singh, winner of the first PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in 2004, heads out to his second shot on No. 2 Monday Aug. 9, 2010 during practice for the 92nd PGA Championship. Photo by Bruce Halmo/Gannett Wisconsin Media
In St. Andrews last month, while another Johnson won the Claret Jug, Dustin JohnCONTINUED ON PAGE 9
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the biggest boppers in the game.
son was primed to finally break through and took the 36-hole lead with sterling play. But a pair of 75s in the final two rounds doomed him.
“Whistling Straits is as close to a linksstyle course as you’re going to find in America,” McIlroy said when he visited in June.
Despite the disappointments, Johnson, 31, said he’s still confident he’ll win a major. “I think every situation you can learn from,” he said going into the British Open. “I think every person is different. I try to look at them all as learning opportunities. Each one helps me get closer to actually getting a major.”
While the fairways are on the generous side, the length of the course can get tiresome if you don’t fly your drives 320 yards over the trouble that awaits. Three par-5s could play longer than 600 yards. Four par4s will measure north of 500 yards, including the 18th hole. Two par-3s will be longer than 220 yards.
Dustin Johnson will be one of the favorites this week because of his length. Add big-hitting Bubba Watson to the list of contenders, too. And Jason Day, who finished in a tie for 10th in 2010 at Whistling Straits and won the RBC Canadian Open coming into this year’s tournament. Also keep an eye on Adam Scott, J.B. Holmes and Brooks Koepka.
In his heyday, Woods would have had no problem dealing with the longest courses in the world. He was one of the longest hitters for more than a decade and had the best short game on the planet as he won 14 of the first 46 majors he played as a pro, a ridiculous success rate of 30.4%.
Links-style course Spieth, of course, cannot be dismissed and will be one of the favorites despite his power limitations. And don’t count out Zach Johnson. But the Straits Course overlooking Lake Michigan is a big ballpark, an emerald beast peppered with more than 1,100 bunkers that rewards the power of
He hasn’t won any of the 23 majors he’s played since, claiming his last in the 2008 U.S. Open and leaving him four short of Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record. Searching for form Two days before the 92nd PGA Championship, Woods gave the media another storyline to follow. There he was, on the practice range dur-
ing a practice round, looking into a video camera with Sean Foley. Woods had never done this in public, but times change. Foley, who would be hired by Woods as his swing coach a few months later, was videotaping and discussing what the two were seeing.
so many approaches on the Old Course. He’s searching for form, in other words. “We’ll see how it goes,” Woods said. He may as well have been talking about this week’s PGA Championship, too.
Woods, 39, is now on his fourth swing coach/consultant since turning pro, going from Butch Harmon to Haney to Foley and now Chis Como. The man who has been atop the world golf rankings for more weeks than anyone fell to No. 266 after missing the cut in the British Open. Upon leaving St. Andrews, Woods said he was going to stay the course with his latest swing changes. He was going to check his numbers, too, he said, such as spin rate, launch velocity and angle, to Martin Kaymer is reflected in the Wanamaker Trophy Sunday Aug. 15, 2010 affigure out why he ter defeating Bubba Watson in a playoff for the PGA Championship at Whistling came up short with Straits. Photo by Bruce Halmo/Gannett Wisconsin Media
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A hole-by-hole guide to Whistling Straits
Whistling Straits, which was designed by Pete Dye, is one of the most challenging courses many golfers may ever encounter. Here’s a description of each hole and some tips on how best to play them provided by Kohler Co. experts.
AUGUST 10 - 16, 2015 WHISTLING STRAITS KOHLER, WISCONSIN HOLE
PAR
No. 1 Outward Bound
A gentle dogleg left starts the journey out to Lake Michigan where the true meaning of links golf starts to shine.
YARDAGE
1
4
408
2
5
593
3
3
181
4
4
489
5
5
603
6
4
355
7
3
221
8
4
507
9
4 446 36 3,803
10
4
361
11
5
563
12
3
143
13
4
404
14
4
397
15
4
518
16
5
569
17
3
223
18
4 520 36 3,698
72 7,501
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
A well-struck center of the fairway drive off the tee sets up a short to midiron approach. A tee shot down the left side flirts with a series of bunkers and dunes, while a tee shot to the right creates a longer approach from the rough. Favor the right center of the green to avoid deep bunkers short left and long.
No. 2 Cross Country
The shorter of the two par 5s on the front nine, be aware of a pot bunker placed 35 yards short of the longstretched green.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
A tee shot down the left side of the fairway is required on this hole to avoid a blind second shot. If electing to take an aggressive approach by going for this green in two, players will have to clear a deep pot bunker situated 35 yards short of the green. If played as a three-shot hole, the third shot plays slightly uphill to a narrow green guarded by deep bunkers to the left of the green and a large runoff swale to the right.
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press August 9, 2015 | 11
No. 3 – O’Man
Photo by Kohler Co.
Do not be fooled by one of the largest greens on the front nine; the undulations make for some magic on the green.
How to Play This Hole
Favor the right side of this huge, undulating green to avoid Lake Michigan and deep bunkers and dunes to the left. Any shot landing on the right half of this green will move quickly left. Hole location will dramatically change club selection from short irons to mid irons, even when calm wind conditions exist.
Photo by Kohler Co.
No. 4 – Glory
Visually intimidating off the tee, the most difficult par 4 on the golf course is protected by length, undulations and, of course, pot bunkers.
How to Play This Hole
A long, visually intimidating par 4. Large mounding down the right of the fairway tends to make golfers want to favor the left; however, most shots bounce left toward bunkers and dunes that drop off quickly toward Lake Michigan. Approach shots require a mid to long iron into a slightly elevated green. The green hangs on the edge of Lake Michigan’s bluffs and forces players to favor the right center portion of the green.
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Local Commitment • Investments • Service Photo by Kohler Co.
No. 5 – Snake
The longer of the two par 5s on the front nine, this winding fairway demands accuracy from tee to green.
How to Play This Hole
This will be a three-shot par 5 for most players. Water runs along both the left and right sides of the fairway. The landing area sets players up for a difficult decision on their second shot. Players that dare to hit their second shot to the green will be challenged by a long carry over water to a narrow green with no room for error short or left. A more conservative approach is to hit mid to long irons down the fairway to set up a better approach angle with the third shot, played with a short iron into this narrow green.
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Photo by Kohler Co.
No. 6 Gremlin’s Ear
The shortest par 4 on the course, Gremlin’s Ear is made difficult by a deep sod-wall bunker that will swallow anything in its path.
How to Play This Hole
A short, dogleg right that may lead to a blind approach shot if the player strays right off the tee. Some of the braver and longer players may attempt to drive the green with a hard-driving cut shot; however, a deep sand pot bunker guards the middle half of the green and must be avoided at all costs. Any shot short, right or long, will leave a very difficult pitch to a green that is narrow, undulating and difficult to rail.
No. 7 Shipwreck
Down the path to the shoreline, the picturesque par 3 creates a dramatic approach to the green.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
This striking par 3 hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline on the right. Beside the lake, this green is protected by a series of sand bunkers on the right and short. The left side is framed by a large hillside layered with sand bunkers. This long green will make club selection critical and has many subtle movements on it to challenge players’ putting.
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press August 9, 2015 | 13
No. 8 On the Rocks
With over 100 bunkers, intimidating to say the least, the green drops off the back into a deadly pot bunker.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
A blind landing area off the tee will challenge players to keep their tee shots left in order to avoid a severe drop-off, sand dunes, bunkers and Lake Michigan on the right. The second shot is played with the Great Lakes as a backdrop. A long iron or fairway wood may be required to reach a very deep green guarded on the left by sand dunes and bunker sand right by deep bunkers with a falloff to the lake. The green is long and deep and will create difficult club selection choices to ensure playing to the right area on the green.
No. 9 Down and Dirty
Do not be fooled by the funnel effect to the small green. Soak up the beautiful scenery back to the clubhouse before returning to the lake on No. 10.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
A tee shot down the left tends to kick toward the right. If your tee shot is too far right, a large tree about 100 yards short of the green may block your approach. Swirling wind conditions on this hole dictate club selection from short to mid irons approaching this slightly humpbacked green. Seven Mile Creek and a series of narrow sand bunkers wind along the right side of the green while the left side is protected by sand dunes and bunkers.
14 | August 9, 2015
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press
No. 10 Voyageur
Carry the deep valley and dodge the deadly bunker in the center of the fairway to be set up perfectly for your approach to the elevated green.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
The aggressive play off the tee is a driver as close to the left side of the fairway edge as possible while avoiding the drop-off left. The deep bunker on the right side of the landing area will require a carry of at least 240 yards that sets up a wedge approach to this elevated green. Some players may elect to hit driver at the green in hopes for glory but will have to avoid small but deep sand bunkers short left while hitting into a steep hillside guarding the front of this green. This green has many subtle breaks that will fool quite a few players.
No. 11 Sand Box
The longest of the par 5s on the property, Sand Box gets its name from the well-placed railroad tie-lined bunker that hugs the left side of the fairway protecting it from wayward second shots.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
Playing over 600 yards will challenge most players to hit drivers, but anything straying right will be swallowed by sand dunes, bunkers and a drop-off to the right. The second shot must avoid a huge sand bunker on the left extending out to about 100 yards from the green. The approach shot plays to a small, elevated green. Any shot landing on the front edge will roll back down, short of the green. Any shot slightly long is likely to find a sand bunker guarding the back center of the green.
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press August 9, 2015 | 15
No. 12 Pop Up
One of the shortest of the par 3s on The Straits, the length isn’t a factor. This green is the most difficult to manage with the flat stick.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
This may be the most difficult of all greens to manage. In addition, a hole location in the back right tier will get every player’s attention. This par 3 plays downhill to a very large, undulating green. Any shot landing in the middle of the green may reject long into deep bunkers. If missed short or right, the green drops off 40 feet to dunes and Lake Michigan. Getting the tee shot on the green in where the fun begins, as reading all of the breaks will take a very talented eye.
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16 | August 9, 2015
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press
No. 13 Cliff Hanger
Another hole where the name Cliff Hanger tells the story. The green looks inviting but sits on the cliff edge of Lake Michigan.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
Favor the left side of the fairway off the tee on this short par 4. A tee shot that misses the fairway right will find sand dunes and awkward lies. A short approach shot is downhill to a narrow cliffhanger green next to Lake Michigan, protected by sand bunkers short right and left. An errant approach to the right will be lost to the steep bluffs overhanging the Great Lake.
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Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press August 9, 2015 | 17
No. 14 Widow’s Watch
A short but tricky dogleg left, cutting the corner is blocked by a large bunker which can also create a blind approach to the green.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
The long-iron or fairway metal tee shot favors the right side of the fairway. Any tee shots to the left will most likely end up with a blind approach shot or in a sand bunker that guards the left side of the fairway. While the approach shots will be with short irons, deep sand bunkers guard the right side of this undulating green with more sand bunkers guarding the green long and left.
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18 | August 9, 2015
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press
No. 15 Grand Strand
This hole begins a four-hole stretch that could be considered among the most difficult in championship golf. Strap on your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
This hole begins what could arguably be the most difficult four finishing holes in championship golf. A beautiful par 4 requires raw power off the tee as well as an accurate long-iron or metal approach shot. Favor the left side of the fairway to avoid sunken sand bunkers to the right. This green has many subtle breaks to it and will challenge every player.
No. 16 Endless Bite
The shortest of the par 5s on The Straits. This hole creates deep temptations of risk for its sought after glory.
How to Play This Hole
Photo by Kohler Co.
The shortest of the Straits’ par 5 holes will tempt most players to hit driver off the tee to gain a chance to hit this green in two. The center of the fairway is certainly a wise place to find since there are sand bunkers protecting the right and a drop-off toward Lake Michigan on the left. The long approach uphill has a forced carry over sand dunes and bunkers that will cause may players to bail out right. Those conservative players will be left with a short wedge into this elevated green with the sky and Lake Michigan as a backdrop.
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press August 9, 2015 | 19
Photo by Kohler Co.
No. 17 – Pinched Nerve
Another name spot-on, you can understand while standing on the tee of this par 3 why your neck might get stiff.
How to Play This Hole
One of Pete Dye’s most intimidating par 3 holes – anywhere. The green is guarded left by sand dunes that fall 20 feet below green level. If the bunker doesn’t capture the tee shot, Lake Michigan certainly will. A large elevated sand dune 40 yards short of the green will invite players toward the left side of the green, which is risky because of the drop-off toward the Great Lake. Tee shots straying right will find sand dunes and bunkers on a steep hillside protecting the right side of the green.
Photo by Kohler Co.
No. 18 – Dyeabolical
One of the most glorious finishing holes in golf, a score of par is to be desired.
How to Play This Hole
A challenging finishing hole where par will be an excellent target. A well-struck tee shot down the right side will surely find the fairway but will leave a long iron for the approach to the green. A more aggressive line off the tee to the left leaves a shorter approach but demands at least a 270-yard carry over sand dunes and bunkers. Even though the approach is downhill, swirling winds surrounding the green complex force players to play an extra club into the green, which demands a forced carry over Seven Mile Creek, guarding the front side of this huge green.
20 | August 9, 2015
Herald Times Reporter | Sheboygan Press
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