[Jim Colton]

A buddy and I are heading up to Kohler for the day on Monday to play Meadow Valleys and the Irish Course (2-for-1 offer).  Got us thinking about compiling a dream 18 from the 4 Kohler courses (something to discuss on the 2-hour drive up).  Here's my compilation...I tried my best to make it a traditional par 72 layout, otherwise it might've looked slightly different.

Hole   Course   Par   Black   Blue   Name
1   River   5   564   534   Snake
2   Irish    4   372   360   Giant's Leap (hard time finding at least one from the Irish course)
3   Straits   3   183   176   O'Man
4   Straits   4   455   443   Glory
5   River   4   419   388   Made in Heaven
6   Straits   4   391   355   Gremlin's Ear
7   Straits   3   214   192   Shipwreck
8   River   5   521   512   Hells Gate
9   Straits   4   415   403   Down N Dirty (River also good option here)
10   Straits      4   389   359   Voyageur
11   Straits      5   619   552   Sand Box
12   Meadows   4   461   438   Ledge Walk
13   Straits      4   403   370   Cliff Hanger
14   Meadows   4   423   409   Nature's Course
15   Meadows   3   227   196   Mercy
16   River      5   560   540   Unter Der Linden
17   Straits      3   223   216   Pinched Nerve
18   River      4   469   440   Dyehard
TOT      72   7308   6883  

Here's a workable layout (yes, I have way too much time on my hands):

[Adam Clayman]

Jim, An interesting exercise. I can only comment on the River course, and the Meadow-Valley nines.

The closer is better on the Valley nine. IMO.

 In the original config the current 18th was the ninth, and the Valley's closer, was the closer. The shot over the River, as well as demanding a well placed drive, makes this hole top notch.

[Greg Clark]

Good job.  Hole 11 is a real tough choice.   I think I actually prefer Rise and Fall on the River course.  The strength of the River is the great slate of par 5's.  That being said, Sand Box is tremendous in it's own right.

[Matthew Rose]

I'd probably go Meadow/Valley's 18 as well. I always thought the River's 18th was kinda weak and was only interesting when they flooded it. But that always seems silly to me since the river is right there. That hole seems like an afterthought.

[Andy Troeger]

Jim,
Really nice job with that, there aren't many selections I'd even consider changing. I personally do like the River's #18 a tad better than the Meadow's, but both to me were fine holes and either would be a worthy selection--just don't choose the Straits or Irish finisher!

My only suggestions: use #10 Irish over #10 Straits, I thought that was maybe the one place where the Irish course was better. I'd definitely go with #11 River over #11 Straits as well, that was one of my 2-3 favorite holes on the River Course. Then with your one hole from the Irish included I think I'd go back to the River for #2, its not the best hole out there but I think preferable to the Irish hole with the pond.

Looking over the rest of my comments, most of those suggestions were already made, but I think you did a nice job overall, there's always going to be a few personal preference changes.

[Jim Colton]

I had MV #18 originally, but switched to River at the last minute.  They're pretty much neck and neck in my opinion.  And I also strongly considered River #11, but I just like Straits #11 a little better (probably because I reached it in 2 once with a thrilling shot that flirted with the giant sand box and ran up to the green).

[Chris Perry]

To make the excercise even more interesting, you could make it 5 courses since Pinehurst Farms is only a mile away from Blackwolf Run, and has some pretty outstanding holes.

[Jim Colton]

Just got back from Kohler after a sweet but tiring day of walking Meadow Valleys and the Irish.  My original compilation still holds although I had to seriously reconsider taking the 18th at Meadows Valley (especially since I birdied it).  And despite shooting a career round on the Irish (which I had thought was the toughest of the four), none of the holes really stand out above and beyond the corresponding holes on the other courses.

My buddy Jeff had similar thoughts on his compilation, although he didn't restrict himself to a traditional par 72.  He's a big fan of par 3's, so I think he ended up w/ a par 70.  Off the top of my head, the holes that differed from me were #2 Straits, #6 River, #9 River, #10 MV, #11 River, #12 Straits, #13 River, #18 MV.

Meadows Valley was in absolute immaculate conditions.  The greens were perfect.  Irish's green were good but not quite as smooth.

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