New Hurdzan-Fry course in Wisconsin. Anyone played it? Impressions?
www.wildrockgolf.com
Cliff, I haven't played the course but spent 2 days there recently when my daughter played it in the annual Minnesota vs. Wisconsin Junior Cup Matches. We followed the matches both days so my impressions are from walking/riding the course.
First impressions, the routing and separation between holes virtually require that you take a golf car. The first tee and 18th green are a good 5 minute cart ride from the clubhouse. Having said that, it's on a beautiful piece of property with dramatic elevation changes and movement to the land (see the Steepest Cart Paths thread). I was told that the owner of the Wilderness Resort bought the property sight unseen knowing that he needed to improve their golf facilities. This statement surprised me as the parcel is in relatively close proximity to the existing golf course.
I've played a number of H/F courses in their annual WIC tournament the past few years and some of the holes at Wild Rock bear some similarity to holes at Turner Hill, Shelter Harbor and Georgian Bay. I mean this as high praise. Visually, there are a number of striking holes and it's a very playable course from the tee with relatively wide landing areas and some middle of the fairway directional bunkers. Strategically, it's a second shot golf course with decisions to be made on a few of the 5 pars as they pinch in with hazards or directional land forms nearer the green.
A few of the green complexes seem a bit extreme and contrived in terms of the contouring and "pinable" areas. For the most part, however, the severity and playability of the greens are in harmony with the demands of the approaches.
I particularly liked the 6th, 8th, 10th, 13th and 15th. The 6th is a 588 yard par 5 that plays down and then uphill to a very shallow green. The view from the rear two tee boxes is stunning. The 8th is a 433 yard par four out of a chute that plays to a challenging second shot to a green with a spine running down the center. Miss it on the wrong side and two putting is no easy task.
The 10th is another great par 5 that features one of the biggest cuts during construction. Thirty feet was cut from the landing area which features 2 center of the fairway directional bunkers. The hole plays as a dogleg right uphill all the way from the landing area at 567 yards and features another breathtaking view back down the fairway from the green.
The 13th plays as one of the toughest second shots on the course after a demanding tee shot. The quarry guards the left side of the green and at 453 yards requires an accurate mid iron approach to a difficult tiered green. The 15th was my favorite par 3 and plays over the quarry from elevated tees. Bail out area to the left of the green but short or right is dead.
I've played Trapper's Turn and will return to play Wild Rock. Hard to say without actually striking a shot but I believe that The Rock will more than hold its own. I think the Dells has a winner in this course and am anxious to hear what others feel once they have played it.