My Quest to Check Off Golf's Best Experiences

#4, "Gamble," Par 5, 516 Yards


Somewhat of a double fairway off the tee, which is divided by a huge bunker.  Hitting to the right of the bunker leaves the shortest and best chance at hitting this green in two, but they landing area is narrow and well-defended by pot bunkers on the right.  It's about 240 yards to fly the center bunker from the tee.  The green is quite small, and one could argue not built for a long approach shot, so playing safe and trying to get on in three is clearly the safest play.

#1, "Fishing Hole," Par 4, 349 Yards


Taking on the line at the water's edge is your best aiming point on this opening hole to avoid bunkers await a shot that bails out of the left.  However, to have the best angle into the green, you'll need to aim down the left side and take those bunkers on.  It's only 194 to carry the water at the furthest point from the green tees, so a well-struck drive should easily carry it.  The left bunkers start at about 200 yards from the tee and go to 256 yards from the tee.  placement is most critical obviously.  To get the best angle in, you're probably looking at a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee, while those more comfortable getting as close to the green as possible can just let it fly and take your chances over the front left greenside bunker.

#2, "Table Top," Par 4, 385 Yards


The right half of the fairway is the place to be on this one, and you can basically fire away off the tee as long as you avoid the trees down the right, as the fairway doesn't really narrow until about 290 yards from the green tees and the farthest fairway bunker from the tee is basically un-reachable.  The green is up on a plateau, so judge your yardage carefully and don't be short.  

#3, "Pine Valley," Par 3, 158 Yards


Just an average par 3 with bunkers all around.  Not terribly exciting or difficult as long as you avoid the bunkers.  Favor the left side over the right to keep it away from the deepest of the bunkers.

The Meadow Valleys course at Blackwolf Run is 1/2 of a great course.  That statement has a couple meanings.  First, the back nine of the Meadow Valleys course plays as the front nine of the Blackwolf Run Composite Course that has been used for the US Women's Opens played in 1998 and then in 2012.  It wouldn't be unreasonable to consider that Composite Course great.  But, more appropriately, in my opinion, the Meadow Valleys Course has 9 really good holes and 9 holes that are just ok.  It is for that reason, that this it might be the least played of the four courses owned and operated by the American Club, in Kohler, Wisconsin.  However, by not playing this course, you're missing out on a course that is kept in great condition, and if nothing else, a great back nine.


Meadow Valleys shares a clubhouse with the River Course at Blackwolf Run.  Resembling something of a ski lodge rather than a golf clubhouse, you know you're in for a fairly rugged experience from the beginning.  The first tee is a little ways away from the clubhouse, and you won't see it again until you come up #18.  A bit of the history of Blackwolf Run and the origin of its name, quoted directly from the Meadow Valleys yardage book:


"Around 1800, Algonquins from Canada and Michigan invaded the Sheboygan River valley seeking the best hunting and fishing between what is now Chicago and Green Bay.  They met resistance at the hand of the resident Winnebagoes.  Blackwolf was chief of this indigenous tribe.  Records of a battle he fought recount his tenacity in protecting the land:


"The Chief...having the ferocity of a wolf and cunning of the fox, on a dark stormy night swam the mouth of the river with his band, waded up the shallow water of the lake shore and surprised his enemies of whom he killed and scalped many and captures their ponies."


​"Pete Dye took this same piece of ground and designed one of America's best golf courses in the tradition of Blackwolf, where nature is paramount.


"Fairways on the Meadow portion of the course are characterized by gently rolling terrain creased with pothole bunkers and surrounded by meadows and wildlife, lovely to listen to and ponder, ferocious to swing out of.  This pacifying environment can become agonizing for the golfer who doesn't plan a strategy and execute.


"Within the Valleys, holes are marked by deep revines and dramatic changes in evelation carved by the Sheboygan River and Weeden's Creek.  Water is in play on several holes and changing winds create unusual hazards.


"This championship course challenges even the experts to weigh the relative advantages of distance and accuracy, through staggered tees put much of the danger out of harm's way for the average golfer."


That write-up does a decent job framing what Blackwolf Run is all about.  Pete Dye uses plenty of his typical ferociousness throughout the course, mainly on the tougher back nine.  While the River Course makes wonderful use of the Sheboygan River, the Meadow Valleys mostly does not, though it does come into play on #14 and #18.  There are five sets of tees to choose from, and choosing correctly will determine how much of a test you're going to face, all playing to a par of 72.  7,210 yards from all the way back, with a Rating / Slope of 74.8 /144.  Avoiding another set of tees at 6,830 yards, I played the green tees at 6,450 yards and 71.3 / 134.  I'll quote the yardage from the green tees below:







Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys)

Kohler, Wisconsin




Checked off the Bucket List May 19, 2012



Golf Magazine:

#7, Best Public Golf Courses in Wisconsin (2012)


Golf Digest:

#62, America's 100 Greatest Public Courses (2013-2014)

#6, Best in the State of Wisconsin (2013-2014)