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Jeff Shelman

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Big Fish (WI) update
« on: August 30, 2008, 06:12:42 PM »
Made a trip to Big Fish Golf Club, a public Dye/Liddy in Hayward, Wis., earlier this week. The course is currently No. 8 on the GW public list for Wisconsin. It's probably the right spot considering the strong courses ahead of it.

It was my first trip there since June '05 (not that long after it opened) and I thought it was much improved.

Things have filled in nicely and it was in great shape. I really like the green complexes, angles and strategy required here. There is also a nice mix of shorter holes where you have to figure out where to put your tee shot and difficult holes on the back (14 and 15 in particular). The mix between the open front and wooded back is also nice.

The other great thing was that there was a good bit of traffic there on a Thursday afternoon. Considering the location, I was always a little worried if they would be able to make it.

This place is a steal at 53 bucks to walk. A very fun golf course with a number of interesting holes. It's certainly worth the 2.5 hour drive from Minneapolis. It's better than many of the offerings in the Brainerd area (though not quite as good as Brauer's offerings in way northern MN).

If you're in the area, it's worth a play. It was a fun way to spend a great summer day.

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Jason Topp

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2008, 06:26:31 PM »
I heartily agree.  I have returned one or twice a year since 2005 and each visit confirms my initial impression.  Simply a terrific course.
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David Schofield

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2008, 10:38:57 PM »
I've played there several times and always enjoyed it immensely.  I knew the original owners and from what I understand they ticked off most of the locals.  I'm guessing that the new owners are making a better effort at marketing the course locally if it was busy on a Thursday.
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John_Conley

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2008, 10:43:09 PM »
I've got a big fish (FL) update for ya'.  One of the dads at hockey told me some neighbor kids caught a 15 pound bass in the street of the Baytree golf community in Melbourne.  Baytree is a very good Gary Player design.  I don't know how well the course is handling the flooding, but at least a lunker in front of your house is a silver lining.
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RJ_Daley

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2008, 02:11:43 AM »
I think the big fish Muskie in the lakes around Hayward eat 15 # bass for hors d'ovres.

Hey, ya gotta have a fish story if your gonna go up there!  ::) ;D
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Geoffrey_Walsh

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2014, 10:45:59 AM »
Just came across an article on the course.  Photos intrigued me.  Thoughts from those who have played it recently?
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RJ_Daley

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2014, 11:02:09 AM »
How does it compare with Stoneridge in style or flavor, assuming Tim Liddy probably had major influence on the project.  Or not?
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Jud_T

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2014, 11:14:30 AM »
Haven't been there in a few years, but it's a very good piece of property and one of my favorite Dye's.  As good or better than any of Liddy's other work I've seen.  It was a very pleasant surprise to find the place when visiting my son at camp nearby. Haven't seen Stoneridge RJ.  The front is wide open with a linksy feel and often gets a nice breeze, then the back heads into some nice elevation changes with a more typical north woods feel.
« Last Edit: July 26, 2014, 11:18:23 AM by Jud_T »
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Golf is a game. We play it. Somewhere along the way we took the fun out of it and charged a premium to be punished.- - Ron Sirak

RJ_Daley

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2014, 02:17:33 PM »
Jud, FWIW - when I played at Stoneridge, I left with the impression that it was very similar to The Meadows Course at Blackwolf Run.  While I don't know for sure, I think Liddy was with Dye that far back in the 80s and probably worked on Meadows.  At any rate, just one play at Stoneridge was merely and impression.  I wonder if the course at Big Fish compares?  I guess I'll just have to get it placed on my dance card... right after Keller!   ;D ;) 8)
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J.D. Griffith

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update New
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2014, 07:29:06 PM »
One of my favorites, and I highly recommend.  The two nines are as different as I have seen, the front nine very links style, with only hole 7 being out of place.  The back nine is one of the strongest nine hole stretches in the state, with 13 being a roller coaster ride of fun, and 15 dishing out punishment every chance it can get, or as one regular put it, a par 6 disguised as a par 4.
The green complexes are where this course really shines, they have always kept me humble that is for sure.    Not one forced carry on the course, and many opportunities to use a ground game.   It has an interesting history that reads like a novel, of partnership broken before the first tee shot, and a long battle with the DNR, and a visit to bankruptcy court before its opening ten years ago.  I hope to get up there soon, we finally have had some dry weather in the Upper Midwest, so it should be firming up nicely.
« Last Edit: July 27, 2014, 08:03:29 AM by J.D. Griffith »
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Jason Topp

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2014, 08:12:01 PM »
Quote from: RJ_Daley on July 26, 2014, 02:17:33 PM
Jud, FWIW - when I played at Stoneridge, I left with the impression that it was very similar to The Meadows Course at Blackwolf Run.  While I don't know for sure, I think Liddy was with Dye that far back in the 80s and probably worked on Meadows.  At any rate, just one play at Stoneridge was merely and impression.  I wonder if the course at Big Fish compares?  I guess I'll just have to get it placed on my dance card... right after Keller!   ;D ;) 8)

I have never thought of it as similar to Stoneridge.  The front nine is a good links like course and the back is cut out of the trees.  It has a fun mix of tough holes and opportunities to make up ground. 

I don't know what kind of condition it is in now.  The last time I was there was with the Minnesota GCA group on the way back from Northland. 
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Tim Gavrich

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Re: Big Fish (WI) update
« Reply #11 on: July 26, 2014, 10:51:49 PM »
Has anyone played both Big Fish and Wintonbury Hills? They opened around the same time, didn't?
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