Sedge Valley a fun twist at 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.

Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)

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

No. 12 green as seen from behind at Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)

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:…