TRAVEL SHOTS
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WISCONSIN! by ken macleod
Whistling Straits, Sand Valley, Erin Hills bring links to life
W
e would be the last to discourage any trip to Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England for authentic links golf. For those who want a similar experience without crossing the pond, there are finally several really good options open to the public right here in the United States. Bandon Dunes on the Pacific Coast in Oregon has been a personal favorite since it opened. Wisconsin obviously lacks an ocean. But a few golf writers and friends put together an itinerary late last summer that, minus the ocean views and breezes, was the equal of any links adventure we’ve had, with better food. You’ve likely heard for years about Whistling Straits and the collection of three other Pete Dye gems at Kohler on the windy shores of Lake Michigan. The magnificent 80-foot dunes on the Straits course look like they’ve been around for 10
The treacherous par-3 7th hole at Whistling Straits.
centuries, even if in reality it was an abandoned airstrip not 50 years ago. Whistling Straits hosted the PGA Championship in 2010 and 2015 and the merchandise is all over the pro shop for the 2020 Ryder Cup. Along with The
Irish and the nearby inland Blackwolf Run courses, all designed by Pete and Alice Dye, it’s been a bucket list destination for U.S. golfers since it opened in 1998. Although there are many excellent courses to choose from on a Wisconsin
Black-faced sheep on the Irish Course at Whistling Straits.
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