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Bonding with a billionaire: My time golfing in Kohler

Sunday September 9, 2007 | 09:21:46 pm 253 words, 3957 views  

Just back from a four-day foray to Destination Kohler–the Five-Diamond Mega-Resort and Spa that has made the unlikely blue-collar outpost of Sheboygan, Wisconsin one of the most sought-after destinations in golf.

The trip began with a bang—a one-hour face-to-face with the Billionaire owner, the Grand Poobah of Plumbing himself—Herb Kohler. Our chat was illuminating, as he was providing some excellent insight into the subject of my next book - the great golf course architect Pete Dye. But the conversation, no matter how stimulating, was an absolute yawner in comparison to the opportunity to play the quartet of stunningly beautiful courses, all designed by Dye, that have burnished Kohler’s worldwide reputation in golf.

Although the resort was built for and caters to the resort golfer, it’s where champions are made. The original Blackwolf Run course played host to the ‘98 U.S. Women’s Open, won by Se Ri Pak. It will host the same championship again in 2012. On the banks of Lake Michigan, the dazzling Whistling Straits course played host to the ‘04 PGA Championship (won by Vijay Singh) this past summer’s U.S. Senior Open, (won by Brad Bryant) and will host the PGA Championship in 2010, 2015, and the ultimate accolade - the 2020 Ryder Cup. Meanwhile, the other two golf courses, Meadow Valleys and the Irish, are no slouches themselves.

In this Vagabond Golfer’s opinion, Destination Kohler is undoubtedly on a very, very short list, with Kiawah Island, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, and Bandon Dunes, as one of the top 5 destination golf resorts in the nation.

Permalink 6 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Ron Mon [Member]
Did they show you how the first hole of Blackwolf Run changes for the Women's Open? It plays from a private tee, up a private fairway, to the elevated, tenth green of the Meadows Valley course. The Women's Open course is actually a composite of River and Meadows Valley. I could not agree with you more...my three days at Kohler in 2006 were far too few, far too brief (only 24 hours per day back then.)
PermalinkPermalink 09/09/07 @ 22:59
Comment from: Jumbo Melody [Visitor]
I concur Vagabond....lovely settings for fantastic golf! Waitch out for the sheep on the "Irish" course....they get u drunk with ther flasks of booze and try to make out with you!

Dam good kissers!

jm
PermalinkPermalink 09/10/07 @ 09:37
Comment from: brad [Visitor]
The Vagabond is right on...again. I can't wait for his new book about Dye's other jewels.
PermalinkPermalink 09/10/07 @ 10:08
Comment from: Joel Zuckerman [Member]
To Ron Mon:

Yes--I saw the hidden tee and dormant fairway---superb stuff!

To Jumbo Melody:

Insiders know that the sheep with bells on are "taken" by the farmers of the area...the rest of the flock is still single.

To Brad:

Yes--the Dye Book in progress promises to be a magnum opus. But in the meantime, my latest book, titled "A hacker's Humiliations," is brand-new this month. Please visit www.vagabondgolfer.com for more information, or just shoot me an email
PermalinkPermalink 09/10/07 @ 11:45
Comment from: Shanks [Member] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
My group of 8 played all 4 courses back in June, just prior to the Senior U.S. Open. It would be hard for me to believe that there are a group of 4 courses anywhere in the country that exceed the quality of this quartet. And course conditions could not have been any better. Magnificent!

Something to be aware of, however minor a problem, is that walking is mandatory on the Straits Course. The terrain off-fairway of the Straits can be very inhospitable with steep slopes and clumpy knee-high fescue. The footpaths from geen to tee can be a little tricky in spots too. The Irish course has very similar ground, and while walking is recommended it is not mandatory (cart paths are hidden, so not much of a break there). Two of my party are ex-jocks whose injuries have made walking 18 a chore under normal circumstances . In their opinion these courses are definitely a harder walk than normal.

PermalinkPermalink 09/11/07 @ 10:39
Comment from: chuck lennon [Visitor] · http://www.golf.exploreminnesota.com
nice item on kohler joel. did you meet the illustrious director of golf over there, barry deach? he's a friend an was here in minnesota as tournament director for the 2002 pga championshp at hazeltine...

over in sheboygan you were too close for comfort.

we await your second visit to minnesota.

chuck lennon
explore minnesota tourism
PermalinkPermalink 09/19/07 @ 10:40

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The Vagabond Golfer The Vagabond Golfer

by Joel Zuckerman

Joel Zuckerman, a.k.a. the Vagabond Golfer, has been called "one of the most respected and sought-after golf writers in the Southeast." His golf stories have appeared in more than 100 publications and his books include "Golf in the Lowcountry, "Golf Charms of Charleston," "Misfits on the Links" and the recently-released "A Hacker's Humiliations." He is also in demand as a public speaker. Joel was honored to be selected by the Dye family themselves to write the authorized celebration of Pete Dye's great courses around the world. His next book, "Pete Dye Golf Courses - 50 Years of Inspired Design,"will be released in September, 2008. Visit www.vagabondgolfer.com for more information.