Wild Rock opened last year at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. It was designed by Hurzon and Fry. There was a course at the site which 9 holes were made into an executive course and 9 holes bulldozed. This and some newly aquired land were used to make Wild Rock. The land is very hilly and mostly covered with trees. There is a corner of the property that is a quarry, and is used for its "signature" par 3. The course does not currently play in the order in which it was designed. They are still using the old clubhouse, so the routing was changed to accomodate this starting point. On my first trip, I thought that the start and finish just didn't feel right. I looked at the planned routing, and think it play much better and provide a better start and finish. After talking with some staff, plans for the new clubhouse are being put on hold for the time being.
This was my second trip to Wild Rock, and unfortunately is was the second time I played after a substantial rain storm. I would really like to return when it is not soggy as I think the course would offer many more options with some run.
The course features very large fairways that offer a number of options off each tee. There were even some fairway bunkers in the middle of the fairway (I have read a lot about their demise).
I really liked the greens. They had significant internal movement which made being on the right portion essential. The movement in the greens allows for a variety of shots to be played, and can reward creative chipping and pitching.
It is very difficult with forest areas, long fescues, and other hazards. The bunkers are similar to those at Erin Hills, and offer ackward stances and difficult recoveries. The greens have significant slopes, ridges, levels, and fall-offs which makes putting a lot of fun, but also very difficult.
The course is not walkable. The tees and greens are close, but the hills would kill you. The staff does a good job suggesting people play the 6400 tees and most do, but pace can be a problem. My first visit was north of 5:15. These are my only issues with the course.
Wild Rock 1
Wild Rock 1 fairway
Wild Rock 1 green
Wild Rock 2
Wild Rock 2 green
Wild Rock 2 green
Wild Rock 3
Wild Rock 4
Wild Rock 4 green
Wild Rock 5
This is 10 in the original plan. It is similar in lenght to 17(#1) and has a great green as well. A back nine start will also open with a shortish par 4 to get you going, but each has a green with three putts lurking.
Wild Rock 5 green
Wild Rock 6
Wild Rock 6 green
This is from behind the green. The green has a raised mid-section with two lower levels on each side, with a drop of 2 feet to each side. This bunker is right in the middle which made this pin very difficult.
Wild Rock 7
Wild Rock 7 back towards tee
Wild Rock 7 green
Wild Rock 8
Wild Rock 8 green
Wild Rock 9
Wild Rock 9 green
Wild Rock 10
Wild Rock 11
Wild Rock 12
Wild Rock 12 green
Wild Rock 12 behind green
Wild Rock 13
This is the 18th in the original plan, and I think it will make a great finishing hole. Also, the holes leading to it will make a great, but difficult finish.
Wild Rock 13 fairway
Wild Rock 13 green
I really liked this green. It has a front and back tier, but the front tier is higher. Everything slopes to the left, which is dead, so make sure you can get it to stop. This picture is from the right side of the green. The shadow of the flag is in the back of the green.
Wild Rock 14
Wild Rock 14 green
Wild Rock 15
This is from a middle tee. The tees wrap around the quarry, so the distance doesn't change a lot, but the angle really does. From the tips it is only 179, but from the far right leaving no bail out. It gets a little shorter as you go around to the left, but the angle proivdes a lot more room for error. The green is tricky to read, especially around the front right pin.
Wild Rock 16
This is #9 in the original plan. It will be a good finish for the front and follows two tough par 3's with a good par 5 in the middle.
Wild Rock 17
This is the opening hole in the original plan. It will make for a good start, driver/wedge or a little less of the tee and a short iron. It does have a great green, so you may start with a three putt.
Wild Rock 17 green
Wild Rock 17 green
This green has a front and back portion separated by a large thumbprint in the middle.
Wild Rock 18