Yahoo Sports Course rater's notebook: Sedge Valley adds fun new twist to growing Wisconsin resort
NEKOOSA, Wis. – Tom Doak visited Scotland on scholarship as a young man – even caddying at the Old Course at St. Andrews – and was determined to study all the courses he could see. Learning from so many great holes on well north of 100 courses in the United Kingdom taught him a lesson he hasn’t forgotten.
“I saw so many cool golf courses that were only 6,000 or 6,100 yards long,” Doak said. “And in the U.K., nobody cared that they were shorter. It was almost like they were better because they were shorter – if they’re good golf holes, then it’s a good golf course and we don’t care what that adds up to, right?
“So I kind of always had the idea, if I ever get in the position to do it, I would take the chance.”
So was born the concept of Sedge Valley at Sand Valley, which opened this year. The par-68 layout tips out at 5,829 yards, some 1,400 short of many courses built in recent years.
Length wasn’t the point. Doak wanted to build the best holes possible on the land available, without moving too much earth. But don’t think of this as some short-course pushover – the greens provide plenty of challenge, and as the course ages and conditions become increasingly firm, Sedge Valley will introduce plenty of players to an incredibly fun style of small ball.
Editor's note: Golfweek's Best course raters judge courses in 10 categories on a points basis of 1-10, then offer a non-cumulative overall rating.
1. Routing
How well the holes individually and collectively adhere to the land and to each other.
The ambivalence to expectations of length and par allowed Doak to focus on choosing premium green sites. The course unfolds beautifully as it stretches to and from those sites. The non-returning nines ramble over moderately hilly terrain without ever becoming steep. My rating: 8 out of 10
2. Quality of shaping
The extent to which course construction creates design elements that fit in well and provides a consistent look or sensibility.
The shaping around greens blends beautifully into surrounding terrain, providing plenty of challenge even with a short iron or wedge in hand. Fairway shaping appears minimal with natural terrain providing plenty of interest – the exception being the split-level 18th fairway that took some work to produce. My rating: 8
3. Overall land plan
Ease of integration of all built-out elements with native land, including course, clubhouse, real estate, roads, native topography and landforms. Extent to which land plan facilitates long views of surrounds and/or interior views of property.
Doak pretty much had free run of a relatively small site and changed plans several times as routing adjustments and green sites came into focus. With its own little pro shop tucked away from the main campus, Sedge Valley offers an easy getaway from the resort’s bigger courses.
My rating: 8
4. Greens and surrounds
Interest, variety and playability of putting surfaces, collars, chipping areas and greenside bunkers.
The shorter the hole, the more challenging the green. Angles into the putting surfaces matter, as poor or lackadaisical shots are often repelled. Internal slopes are interesting but never too extreme. Several greens are long and skinny, frequently turned at an angle. Short-game options are extremely varied. The deeper into a green that an approach shot is struck, the more demands on control.My rating: 8
5. Variety and memorability of par 3s
Differentiation of holes by length, club required, topography, look and angle of approach.
The five par 3s range from 136 yards to 227 off the back tees, so expect to hit a variety of clubs. No. 5 with its wide, three-tiered green – somewhat of a sideways Biarritz template tucked into a hillside – was a personal favorite. My rating: 7
6. Variety and memorability of par 4s
Range of right-to-left and left-to-right drives and second shots required, as well as spread of length, topography and look of the holes.
The course is less than 6,000 yards from the tips, but four of the par 4s are longer than 400 yards. Holes feature great variety, with frequent centerline bunkers forcing players to challenge one side or the other to set up the best angles into greens. The short sixth was a personal favorite, with common sense begging for a layup well to the left while personal bravado demands a bold drive at the green through a smattering of deep bunkers. The 18th – split levels down to the left and up to the right with a bunker and earthen wall between – is unforgettable.My rating: 7
7. Variety and memorability of par 5s
Variety of risk/reward opportunities on tee shot; how interesting the second shots are; variety of third shots required.
There’s only one par 5 on the course, No. 11, and it’s a solid hole. But par 5s aren’t the point. Doak has expressed mild frustration in the past about designing par 5s that can fairly challenge a full spectrum of players, so it’s no surprise to see just one par 5 here.My rating: 4
8. Tree and landscape management
Extent to which ornamentals, hardwoods, conifers and other flora enhance the design and playability of a course without overburdening it or compromising strategic flexibility and agronomy.
Exceptional. With stands of trees in view but removed from playing corridors, there’s plenty of width and long sight lines across the course. The natural contours of the sandy dunes are largely exposed but not as blown out as at Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes. My rating: 9
9. Conditioning and ecology
Overall quality of maintenance, discounting for short-term issues (weather or top dressing); extent of native areas; diversity of plant life and wildlife.
Fescue is a perfect golf grass, offering firm and bouncy fairways. As with previous courses at the resort, Sedge Valley takes full advantage of these conditions. The sandy areas and native vegetation at the perimeters of most holes could serve as a guidebook for sustainability, but it can become thick in places for any players who stray. The bent grass greens have matured well since opening. My rating: 8
10. “Walk in the park” test
The sense of the place as worthy of spending four hours on it.
It’s different, and that’s largely the point. But to focus too much on the differences might lead to missing the big idea of little Sedge Valley as a beautiful walk punctuated with interesting golf shots along the way. My rating: 7
Overall rating
This is not a cumulative score.
Doak wanted to build something different, so he did. This is a great addition to a resort packed with variety among what are now four full-size 18s with more on the way.My rating: 7.4
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This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Sedge Valley adds fun new twist to growing Wisconsin resort
