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5-13-10
FEATURED COURSE
The Irish course at Whistling Straits lies in the shadow of the Straits course, site of this summer’s PGA Championship (Aug. 9-15). But the Irish shares the same pedigree as its big brother – both were designed by legendary architect Pete Dye – as well as similar gorgeous views of Lake Michigan north of Sheboygan.
The Irish course, one of four championship courses owned and operated by Kohler Co., opened for play in 2000. It lies just inland from the Straits and shares some of the same rugged, unkempt characteristics, but the layout also meanders through a network of four streams.
And then there’s sand. A lot of sand.
The Irish course has some doglegged fairways where sand consumes the entire acreage inside of the elbows (like the par-5 fifth hole). Other holes, such as the par-3 sixth, require shots over dozens of shaggy bunkers. The sixth green is essentially an oasis in a sea of sand.
Another par-3 on the Irish course gets most of the attention, however. The 13th hole, aptly named Blind Man’s Bluff, plays 183 yards from the back tee (and 111 yards from the front) to a massive and mostly hidden green. The putting surface is more than 14,000 square feet in size and lies down in a hollow, so players are advised to take one less club on this short hole than they normally would.
The par-72 Irish course plays 7,203 yards from the back tees, and, like the Straits, is often influenced by the prevailing winds. Pick a suitable set of tees for maximum enjoyment on this difficult golf course.
For more information, visit www.destinationkohler.com or call (800) 344-2838.
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