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With
each passing season it seems there are more things to do in the
Wisconsin Dells area. With its waterparks, thrill rides, stage shows,
state parks, museums, wineries, hiking and biking trails, restaurants
and shops and an embarrassment of natural riches to explore, there are
a thousand reasons why visitors flock to Wisconsin Dells for what has
become a year-round playground. So golf competes with many other
interests in the Dells, but that doesn’t mean the city’s collection of
golf courses isn’t the foundation for a vacation for many area visitors. Surely,
many Wisconsin Dells visitors bring along their golf clubs, especially
when school starts in the fall and the Dells become an adult playground
of sorts. More likely, golf is just one of the many activities visitors
expect to pursue when they plan a trip, and that’s just fine because
there are courses in Wisconsin Dells to fit any budget or caliber of
player and whatever amount of time they have to devote to the game. Following is a brief look at the golf courses of Wisconsin Dells.
Christmas Mountain Village Golf
in a ski hill setting can be dramatic, and Christmas Mountain is one of
a handful of Wisconsin resorts that offer both sports. Players on the
golf course won’t easily forget about the ski hill because the fairways
themselves are so hilly. Christmas Mountain Village, which is
owned by Bluegreen Resorts, has offered golf since its 18-hole Art
Johnson-designed course opened in 1980. In 2000, nine new holes were
constructed and added to some existing holes to create the Oaks Course,
measuring 6,786 yards from the back tees. The other holes from the
original layout now comprise the nine-hole Pines Course, which is also
hilly and plays 3,072 yards from the tips. The Oaks’ back nine
begins with back-to-back par-5s, and the view from the elevated tee on
the 10th hole is worth the price of green fees all by itself. But
the twin par-5s aren’t the strangest elements on the back nine. No,
those would have to be the putt-ing surfaces shaped like the states of
Wisconsin (No. 17) and Illinois (No. 12). Any player missing the 17th
green with his approach might end up in an Upper Peninsula-shaped
bunker, or a pond which does a passable impression of Great Lakes
Michigan and Superior.
Contact: (608) 254-3971
www.christmasmountainvillage.com
Coldwater Canyon at Chula Vista Resort
The
historic nine-hole Coldwater Canyon course has changed little since it
opened in 1923. The quaint, old par-33 course – with its wooded
terrain, small greens and sometimes funky elevation changes – has since
1999 assumed the role of front nine on the golf course. Chula Vista
Resort has owned Coldwater Canyon since 2004. A Scottish-themed
back nine was built in 1999, but for anyone who hasn’t played it since
the 20th century, it’s time to go back for another look. That’s because
a portion of Chula Vista’s recent $200 million investment in the
property was aimed at the back nine, which essentially lacked
definition when it was first built. These days, the fairways on
the back nine at Chula Vista are bordered by at network of mounds,
moguls and a series of new sand bunkers. In fact, a dozen new bunkers
were added to the 18th hole alone a few years ago. Most of the
recent renovation effort centered on the resort and waterpark. Rustic
condominiums added to the property have proved to be popular among
buyers, and stay- and-play packages are offered through the
self-contained resort featuring seven restaurants, a full spa and
indoor and outdoor waterparks.
Contact: (608) 254-8489
www.chulavistaresort.com
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Pinecrest Par-3
A
nine-hole par-3 course located just east of downtown Wisconsin Dells,
Pinecrest Par-3 is a great spot for juniors, seniors and families in
search of a fun and relaxing golf experience. Pinecrest measures 1,073
yards with holes ranging from 90 to 150 yards. Club and cart rentals
are available, and Pinecrest also offers full bar and golf shop
facilities.
Contact: (608) 254-2165
www.dellspar3golf.com
Spring Brook GC
This nine-hole course lies just west of I-90/94, but golf is merely one of many activities available to Spring Brook visitors. The
360-acre site features two lakes, miles of nature trails and an
18,000-square-foot clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, a game
room, pro shop and fitness and tanning facilities. After golf or a
swim, the Northwoods Bar & Grille awaits with a variety of
refreshment possibilities. The well-maintained golf course at
Spring Brook is set up to challenge and entertain a variety of players.
Although it’s not long at 3,012 yards from the back tees and the
opening holes are rather open, the course gets progressively more
difficult as the routing wanders through thick woods and water
features. There are three sets of tees, but even from the tips all of
Spring Brook’s par-4s measure in at 355 yards or less, and both par-5s
are just under 500 yards. Homesites on and off the golf course are for sale, and vacation rental properties are available.
Contact: (608) 254-1477
www.springbrookwisconsindells.com
Trappers Turn GC
The
buzz at Trappers Turn this spring has little to do with the facility’s
27 holes of championship golf, although the club has built some new
tees of late and it continues to strive for ever-faster green speeds. Trappers
Turn primarily looked inward this off-season – to the tune of a $4
million renovation project – and the result is a vastly upgraded
clubhouse about twice the size of the old one. The new facility
features dining space for up to 250 guests, plus another 70 or so
outside on the enlarged veranda overlooking the golf course. The club
plans to make good use of its new facility with an expanded menu and a
new focus on fine dining. The pro shop and bar area have been expanded as well, and the new bar also looks out toward the golf course and Mystic Lake. Another
addition in 2008 is the Kalahari Golf Academy at Trappers Turn. The
academy, operated by new director of golf Jason Manke, will offer a
variety of instruction including junior programs and overnight sessions
for adults. Trappers Turn opened as an 18-hole facility in 1991.
A third nine, called the Arbor, was added in 2000. All 27 holes were
designed by Andy North and Roger Packard. The facility was purchased by
Kalahari Resorts in 2006.
Contact: (608) 253-7000
www.trappersturn.com
Wilderness Resort
In
addition to the new Wild Rock layout opening this spring (see main
story), the Wilderness still maintains a nine-hole executive course
called the Woods Family Course. The holes remain from the old
Wilderness Woods course, the rest of which was removed prior to
construction of Wild Rock.
Contact: (800) 867-WILD
www.wildernessresort.com
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