Eau Claire, Wisconsin Golf

[JP Morgan]

We'll be spending several days in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (west central).  Anyone familiar with Wild Ridge or another course worthy of mention?  I don't recall this area of Wisconsin discussed over the years, but maybe it's somewhere in the archives???  JP

[Jeff Shelman]

Paging John Conley.....

John is going to rave about the Eau Claire CC. I haven't played it, but the pictures look pretty damn good.

I have, however, played Wild Ridge. It's very solid. There are some good holes, it's a fun golf course and very enjoyable. It's also a great value. Not sure what the rates are right now, but my guess is that it's under $40 to walk.

Other reasonably close options include driving west on 94 for about 90 minutes to Hudson and playing Troy Burne, a Lehman/Hurzdan course that previously hosted a Nationwide Tour event. It's very strong.

You could also go north a couple of hours if you have the time and check out Big Fish, a newish Dye in Hayward. Very fun golf course with two distinctive nines.

[Phil McDade]

With the caveat that I haven't played it, New Richmond Golf Club -- west of Eau Claire, closer to and northeast of Hudson -- has a fine reputation among golfers I've talked to. Fairly traditional, tree-lined, with some water in play. The WSGA has held some tournaments here, so they think pretty highly of it. There is a separate nine-hole links course designed by Minnesota Joel Goldstrand in New Richmond.

[John_Conley]

jp, send me an e-mail to john_conley35@yahoo.com and I will send you my essay on "The Greatest Course You've Never Heard Of".  

I'd do a round at the Wild Ridge course at Mill Run, see if I could get out to ECG&CC (I assume Head Pro Jim Julsrud will accomodate - if so, tell him you heard about it online from a maniac that loves the place and was escorted around by the Head Pro who shot 69), and consider a place like Spring Valley if you want a real zany round.  New Richmond is good, as mentioned.

It really doesn't get any better than ECG&CC for me.  If it were in the Twin Cities with a little bit more of a back tee I think the course would be mentioned in the same breath as Woodhill, Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Minikahda, North Oaks, etc...  I love the place.

The newer course at Mill Run is a very good modern course for a small town.

[JP Morgan]

Thanks for the replies and for the post (John).  Hopefully we'll get a chance to get a first hand look.
JP

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Wait......the earth is shaking!!!!!

Are Dog's and Cat's sleeping together? Is the end of the world near??

NO! It's J.P. Morgan posting!!!!!

Now we have to get Ted Sturges to do the same and then will be back to normal!

Hope everything is well!

[Scott_Burroughs]

John C,

You had a thread called "The Greatest Course You've Never Heard Of" a few years back (abour Eau Claire):

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=3001

Don't know if this is an edited version of a longer piece....

[JP Morgan]

Tommy,  

Yes, the earth is shaking!  Thanks for the kind words.  I'll have to find Ted Sturges for you... He's hovering around Indy somewhere, but I'll look into the matter.   Off to Eau Claire Thursday...  Babe Ruth 13 year old Ohio Valley Regional Baseball.  Patrick's team won the state (Southern Indiana).  Apparently they have live webcasting on ifan.tv.  We'll have to investigate this option to "telecast" some GCA grudge matches!!

Regards,
JP

[Dan Kelly]

Thanks to John Conley, Rick Shefchik and I traveled to Eau Claire G&CC (a Tom Vardon design) a couple of summers ago -- and were not in the least disappointed that we had (with the exception of a couple of new holes that stuck out sore-thumbishly -- and of the slightly clumsy routing that came about when they built a big new clubhouse at the opposite end of the property from the original clubhouse).

I have not played any of the other Eau Claire courses -- but second the recommendations of both New Richmond and Troy Burne (Hurdzan w/ Lehman). I'd go to Troy Burne first (and it's not so far as you were told; more like 60-70 Interstate 94 miles from Eau Claire).

[Jeff Shelman]

Hey Kelly, I'm a green box guy. We're not real sharp with our Western Wisconsin geography.  

[JP Morgan]

Returned from Wisconsin...successful at golf, but the lads from Newburgh went 2-2 in the Babe Ruth regionals.  Lexington is off to the World Series, and we at least are back to normal so to speak with baseball behind us, and golf season to begin.  Wild Ridge was a decent track with good overall topography and conditioning, but less than memorable as our visit was cut short after five holes, due to illness in the group.  On the other hand, Eau Claire CC was worth the visit.  Established in 1901, with the course designed by Charles Ramsdell & Tom Vardon (1928?), it has stood the time with a mature rolling parkland setting off the banks of the Chippewa River.  Head pro, Jim Julsrud, was a gracious host, as an unexpected ballgame loss forced us to alter our plans and play a day later than expected.   We also managed to dine at Stella Blues as recommended.  Cajun expectations were met and local brews were had (Leinenkulers, Stella Artois,...).  West Central Wisconsin was a pleasant surprise despite the 100 degree heat (in Wisconsin??).  I did manage to bring home some cheese also!   Many thanks to John Conley and Stuart Groskreutz for the heads up in and around Eau Claire.