Blackwolf Run (River) – Played May 2019
- Rankings: Golf Digest #63, Golf Digest Public #14, Golf Magazine #89, Golf Magazine Public #11
- Location: 1111 West Riverside Drive, Kohler, Wisconsin
- Year: 1990
- Architect: Pete Dye
- Course Access: Resort
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 7,404 yards, Par 72, 76.2 Rating/151 Slope
- Blue: 6,865 yards, Par 72, 73.7 Rating/144 Slope
- Green: 6,507 yards, Par 72, 72.1 Rating/139 Slope (Men’s), 77.9 Rating/143 Slope (Women’s)
- White: 6,110 yards, Par 72, 70.3 Rating/132 Slope (Men’s), 75.7 Rating/138 Slope (Women’s)
- White/Red: 5,602 yards, Par 72, 68.0 Rating/127 Slope (Men’s), 73.0 Rating/131 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 5,115 yards, Par 72, 65.7 Rating/123 Slope (Men’s), 70.3 Rating/125 Slope (Women’s)
My third round on the Kohler properties was played on pieces of the first course built, Blackwolf Run (River). I say pieces because, with some knowledge from my friend Scotty (check out his site here), there was an original eighteen built. Holes from that original routing make up the River and Meadow Valley courses as presently situated. This will show up in some long distances between holes.
As I’ve mentioned, I played a few rounds on this trip with Doug and he joined me again. Funny enough, Jill, our Canadian partner from Whistling Straits was in the tee time behind us along with her mom. We all figured it would be great to play together again and joined up.
The American Club was built in 1981 and was already very well-regarded. Herb Kohler believed it lacked something and he zeroed in on golf as that something.
Enter Pete Dye, who, according to the club’s website, was a little skeptical of people coming to play the course based on the sparsely populated area. He quickly changed his mind once he saw the land. He went on to craft a course that hosted the US Women’s Open in 1998 and 2012 (original 18) as well as the Andersen Consulting World Golf Championship from 1995-1997 (River).
Before we get into the tour, I will say that Blackwolf Run (River) is a polarizing course. I talked with at least two friends who absolutely hated it. I can see that point of view as it has some pretty in your face quirkiness. I’ll let you judge for yourself from the photos and I’ll give you my synopsis at the end.
We played the green tees, for reference on the individual hole yardages. Let’s get into it.
Hole 1 – 526 yards – Par 5 – Snake
The Sheboygan River is the main feature on this hole and you will see it throughout the course. The landing area is generous but this will be a three-shot hole for many.
Be aware of the bunkers that guard the green. You can see them below in this view from behind the putting surface.
Hole 2 – 355 yards – Par 4 – Burial Mounds
The name of this hole is ominous and your score could be scary if you hook it left. Right is no picnic either so finding the fairway is crucial.
The morning shadows play well at this green site surrounded by mounds.
Hole 3 – 395 yards – Par 4 – Gotcha
The preferred line on this dogleg right is guarded by the trees you see on the right side. There is ample fairway left, you’ll just have a longer second shot.
The massive bunker below runs along the right side of the hole’s second half.
Hole 4 – 185 yards – Par 3 – Swan Lake
The more I play courses by the same designer, I start to see tendencies. Pete Dye has used this style of par three at Pete Dye Golf Club and his course at French Lick. You have an advantage here if you can fade the ball into the undulating green.
Hole 5 – 388 yards – Par 4 – Made in Heaven
You can let it fly from this elevated tee. The left section of the fairway gives you the best angle to the elevated green. It’s difficult to feel the wind on the tee because it is protected by trees.
The green is not overly contoured.
Hole 6 – 333 yards – Par 4 – Jackknife
Don’t bite off too much of this dogleg right or you might end up in the river. A sensible drive will still allow you to attack the green for birdie.
The giant American flag you can see is on the campus of an insurance company. You pass it driving in and I was shocked at how big the complex was, let alone the flag!
Hole 7 – 374 yards – Par 4 – Glencary
The more daring you feel, the further left you can go. A well-struck drive down the center still leaves you with a good look at the green.
This look back at the fairway shows the bunkering close to the green.
Hole 8 – 492 yards – Par 5 – Hell’s Gate
At first glance, I wasn’t sure where to hit this drive. Depending on your length, you can blast it up the right side for a shorter approach as the hole doglegs right.
From this tee, you get a view of the Kohler plant and a view down into the river. Watch your step!
The slope of the fairway is quite severe and will likely kick tee shots left.
There are two tiers of fairways as you can see below.
Hole 9 – 316 yards – Par 4 – Cathedral Spires
The ninth is the first of the most controversial holes I would say. The conservative play is down the left side but you can easily run out of fairway there. The daring play requires you to play over the trees or out into the river. I’m not sure the reward justifies the risk.
Hole 10 – 194 yards – Par 3 – River and Marsh
This low-lying hole can be trickier than it looks. The marsh/river combo is pretty close by on the right side waiting to gobble up wayward shots.
There’s Doug surveying the green with Jill in the background.
Hole 11 – 536 yards – Par 5 – Rise and Fall
No slices on this hole! The river runs along the entire right side and comes into play on all shots. You must calculate your layup precisely to carry the water.
Your putt may have severe slope depending on the pin and your shot.
Hole 12 – 423 yards – Par 4 – Long Lagoon
Water left and right on this hole forces you to hit good shots. Jill put this one in the fairway, she’s pretty automatic!
The green is open in front allowing you to run your ball up if it is playing firm.
Hole 13 – 192 yards – Par 3 – Tall Timber
Now we arrive at the most controversial hole at Blackwolf Run (River). I definitely get it. I don’t really understand what Dye was going for here. If you fade the ball you have to go way up over the trees and drawers have to aim in the river. Mindblowing.
At least the green is a big target.
Hole 14 – 304 yards – Par 4 – Blind Alley
Left is preferable on this tee but there are mounds with plenty of rough over there so don’t be too careful. You may end up with the line I had in the photos below.
Here is a look at the green.
Hole 15 – 346 yards – Par 4 – The Sand Pit
This hole is ringed by mounds but the goal is straightforward. Hit the fairway and you’re well on your way to a par.
I liked the undulation on this green. It made for interesting putting.
Hole 16 – 540 yards – Par 5 – Unter Der Linden
This hole has plenty of protection. You start with the enormous bunker you see below, then the river comes into play, and finally, a tree guards the green.
The wall connects to the green so any short shots on that line will be wet.
Oh yeah, for good measure, this deep bunker is behind the green.
Hole 17 – 168 yards – Par 3 – Snapping Turtle
One of the tamer holes, the seventeenth calls for mid-iron to an undulating green that is ample in size.
Hole 18 – 440 yards – Par 4 – Dyehard
You’re going to earn your par on the final hole. Sand lines the entire left side with mounds on the right. A well-positioned drive will give you a look at the open green and a chance to roll your ball on it.
This is actually a double green shared with the eighteenth on the other Blackwolf Run course (tour coming next week).
I mentioned in the intro that a couple of friends did not like this course. I can see where that sentiment comes from. There were a couple of holes I didn’t like for sure. That being said, the rest of the course was very enjoyable and playable. It required good shots but nothing goofy for about 16 holes. In my book, that’s a lot better than some places I’ve played. All in all, give yourself a chance to experience Blackwolf Run (River), so you can judge it for yourself!
