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Nigel Islam

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #50 on: May 06, 2014, 05:43:48 PM »
Erin Hills is a brute, but I think it's from those elevated tees

RJ_Daley

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #51 on: May 06, 2014, 06:14:47 PM »
I think my first trip and round at Lawsonia was 1958.  Yes, then it really was a quiet contemplative place of religious retreat where there was no beer to be had, and the utmost gentlmanly language was the only lingo of the day.  And people respected that!  And, while I also am agnostic, and do not cling to any religious tradition or dogma... what I wouldn't give to return to that oasis of temperate and considerate ambiance at the old classic Lawsonia, where the golf was the focus of pure recreational enjoyment.  I can still recall the sights, sounds and even pleasant "oldclassic"smell in the white wood sided seasonal clubhouse with only burgers fries, hot dogs and soda or milk served, where you munched on them at the turn, or after the round before you departed for the drive home.  I can even hear the old screendoor on a spring slam behin as we left the clubhouse.  Once in a while you would hear a retreat group singing a hymn, or see folk in a prayer group gathered outside off by the barracks.   The carrilion still chimes now and then.   But, never did I see or hear in your face or proselythizing the Baptist creed.  Then, I would go in the 70s, with an otherwise enthusiastic 20-30 something aged group of Wambaugh "choirboys"characters  and same thing;  you respected the enclave of religious civility, and it just seemed right, and totally in sync with the extraordinary day of golf "retreat"that the experience imparted on the soul.   No proseletizing, just a lovely, peaceful place to get away from the everyday vulgarities of life.   There was nothing at all strange or uncomfortable about that particular intersection of golf and the Baptist Assembly.  It might have been your preconceived notions that skewed your perception, JK.   We all have our bias, of course.
No actual golf rounds were ruined or delayed, nor golf rules broken, in the taking of any photographs that may be displayed by the above forum user.

Jeff Tang

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #52 on: May 06, 2014, 06:16:32 PM »
I've been to Kohler a handful of times and enjoy the golf there. Irish course would be the fourth choice. Front nine of MV doesn't stack up with the best at the resort but I love the back at MV and all of River and Straits. I think all four are worth playing.

I enjoyed Lawsonia but wished it played firmer. When I played it the ball wasn't running and I think that took a lot of the experience away from the architecture.  Seems like the course is designed with the ground in mind and it's disappointing when the presentation of the course takes away this element.

Erin Hills is one tough course and an even tougher walk. I just remember some of the green to tee walks as brutal. I love the land there and want to love the course but those two factors take away some of the enjoyment for me.
So bad it's good!

Greg Clark

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #53 on: May 06, 2014, 06:40:18 PM »
I also would play MV over the Irish.  The Irish is way over the top, but I still found it an enjoyable round and I'm glad I played it.  As to other options, I liked Erin Hills a lot.  But I can't see many 71 year olds walking that.  I think the decision to plant fescue was a poor one, as it made EH a walking only facility and that walk is one hard walk.

I also really like Lawsonia, but it has to be about 2 and a half hours round trip from Kohler.  I'd pass and stay at the resort.  I also have only ever caught that course when it was not dry enough to fit the architecture.  If you had to go off property, I'd second The Bull at Pinehurst Farms.  It has 5 or 6 really good holes, but ultimately it isn't better than MV.

John K,

Why no visit to Kohler unless it's free?  I know you like the Dye course at French Lick.  I'd think you'd very much like the River course.

Phil McDade

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #54 on: May 06, 2014, 06:49:58 PM »


I enjoyed Lawsonia but wished it played firmer. When I played it the ball wasn't running and I think that took a lot of the experience away from the architecture.  Seems like the course is designed with the ground in mind and it's disappointing when the presentation of the course takes away this element.



Jeff:

You should've joined RJ and I at Lawsonia last fall, when the course played just ideally -- not over-the-top fast-and-firm, but quite so, and really an ideal maintenance meld for that course -- the best I've seen it, and I've been going up there annually for two decades or so (not quite as long as R.J. ;)) We've had some very heavy winters and wet springs here in the nation's Dairyland, and that can dilute the experience there as it would at most any other Upper Midwest course. But the folks now operating Lawsonia really seem to have the maintenance practices down really well.

Jeff Tang

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #55 on: May 06, 2014, 07:30:42 PM »
Phil, it has been a few years since I've been there. I have heard similar comments as yours from others on GCA the past couple of Falls which is great to hear. A firm and fast Lawsonia would be a real treat.
So bad it's good!

Jud_T

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #56 on: May 06, 2014, 07:59:17 PM »
Greg,

It's only an hour and a half from Kohler to Green Lake, and that's if one actually obeys the speed limit.
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

Phil McDade

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #57 on: May 06, 2014, 08:28:24 PM »
Phil, it has been a few years since I've been there. I have heard similar comments as yours from others on GCA the past couple of Falls which is great to hear. A firm and fast Lawsonia would be a real treat.

Maybe you can say this about a lot of courses in these parts, but I've always though Langford's work at Lawsonia really shines in the fall, moreso than other times of the year. There aren't too many places I'd rather golf in the fall than that course.

Greg Clark

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #58 on: May 06, 2014, 08:57:26 PM »
Greg,

It's only an hour and a half from Kohler to Green Lake, and that's if one actually obeys the speed limit.

I allowed an hour and fifteen minutes each way. 

Dan Kettler

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #59 on: May 06, 2014, 09:00:04 PM »
All things considered, play Straits and either River or Meadow Valley.  Skip Erin Hills (tough walk if you already walked Straits), seriously consider Lawsonia (fun track), but add Bluemound if you can.  Played BM last year for the first time and really enjoyed it and conditions were amazing.  One of the pleasant surprises of the golfing year.

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #60 on: May 06, 2014, 10:47:08 PM »


John K,

Why no visit to Kohler unless it's free?  I know you like the Dye course at French Lick.  I'd think you'd very much like the River course.

My wife doesn't play. I don't play alone and Kohler doesn't strike me as a guy trip.  I haven't played Pebble for the same reason.

Jim Nugent

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #61 on: May 07, 2014, 01:02:28 AM »
...and that's if one actually obeys the speed limit.

Back in the late 1970s, I used to hear that was a very wise thing to do.  Wisconsin had the rep then as a state-wide speed trap. 

Jud_T

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #62 on: May 07, 2014, 04:35:09 AM »
Jim,

It still is, but the limit is 65 most places and you can go 74 without getting stopped.
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