Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) – Played May 2019
- Rankings: Golf Digest Public #62
- Location: 1111 West Riverside Drive, Kohler, Wisconsin
- Year: 1988
- Architect: Pete Dye
- Course Access: Resort
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 7,250 yards, Par 72, 75.1 Rating/145 Slope
- Blue: 6,830 yards, Par 72, 73.2 Rating/139 Slope
- Green: 6,450 yards, Par 72, 71.5 Rating/136 Slope (Men’s), 78.2 Rating/135 Slope (Women’s)
- White: 6,140 yards, Par 72, 70.3 Rating/132 Slope (Men’s), 76.4 Rating/131 Slope (Women’s)
- White/Red: 5,702 yards, Par 72, 68.3 Rating/127 Slope (Men’s), 73.9 Rating/125 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 5,065 yards, Par 72, 65.2 Rating/123 Slope (Men’s), 70.4 Rating/118 Slope (Women’s)
After a morning round at Blackwolf Run (River) and a refreshing lunch, I headed to Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys).
As I mentioned in the River course post (click the link above), the Meadow Valleys course is made up of some of the original eighteen holes as well as newer ones. I also got into some of the resort details and history in that post, so I won’t rehash them here.
I will relay a funny bit about my pairing. On the putting green, I saw some guys with University of South Carolina Gamecock gear. As a Clemson alum, I always notice this and chuckled a bit at seeing our rivals gear this far out of town.
Lo and behold, we were paired together for the day. Four people from South Carolina paired up at a course in Wisconsin. Go figure!
We made some jokes about it throughout the round and engaged in some banter about our football teams. I learned that one of the guy’s in-laws have family nearby, explaining their trip. Golf never ceases to entertain me with its serendipity.
Alright, onto the course. For reference, we played the green tees.
Hole 1 – 349 yards – Par 4 – Fishing Hole
Keep it simple here with a shot down the left side of the hole. This avoids the water and sets up a green light on a short par four.
Hole 2 – 385 yards – Par 4 – Table Top
Elevation change is introduced to the equation on this hole with the raised green. Don’t miss the putting surface or a challenging pitch shot awaits you.
Below is a closer look at the green.
Hole 3 – 158 yards – Par 3 – Pine Valley
The hole name here comes from the collection of trees on the left side. These can block the wind so be cognizant of where the flag blows. Plenty of bunkers guard each side.
Hole 4 – 516 yards – Par 5 – Gamble
I’ll admit, without a yardage book I didn’t know exactly where I was going on this hole. The large middle bunker is deceiving. The hole bends right all the way.
As you progress down the fairway the green comes into sight.
Hole 5 – 362 yards – Par 4 – Tree Stand
Your alignment needs to be set here as the tee alignment and fairway angle can play tricks on you. Wayward shots get blocked by the trees on either side.
Hole 6 – 444 yards – Par 4 – Serpentine
A long drive down the left side is preferable. The green is quite large, offering a large target for what will likely be a mid to long iron.
In these wide shots, you can see the difference in terrain from the River course.
Hole 7 – 488 yards – Par 5 – Goose Landing
Bold shots down the left may get you home in two but water lurks to catch any slip.
Water is the focal point but this green has more than enough contouring to hold your attention.
Hole 8 – 176 yards – Par 3 – Wet and Wild
The message is pretty clear here, don’t go left! Add a strong headwind and this hole is all you can handle.
Hole 9 – 432 yards – Par 4 – Deer Hunter
This hole can be a kick in the teeth. Water and sand are looking to wreck your score, not to mention the length.
Hole 10 – 330 yards – Par 4 – Quiver
Compared to the front side, this hole seemed claustrophobic. I enjoyed the change of pace. The driver is not needed nor recommended with trees through the fairway on this dogleg right.
Once you turn the corner you can see the green and all its defenses.
Hole 11 – 495 yards – Par 5 – High Country
Pete Dye is playing tricks with angles again here. The more left you go the shorter the hole but I’m not convinced it’s worth the risk with the large bunker guarding that side.
You’re not done with sand after the tee shot either.
Hole 12 – 407 yards – Par 4 – Ledge Walk
Try for a drive up the right side on this dogleg left. It’s straightforward in strategy but bad shots will not go unpunished.
Hole 13 – 313 yards – Par 4 – Chimney
The tee shot here is nothing more than 200-225 yards. Where this hole gets interesting is the approach to a wild green site.
See what I mean? The green is very elevated with a narrow bunker on the right. It demands precision and adds the bite to this short hole.
Once you’re on the green you can breathe again.
Hole 14 – 384 yards – Par 4 – Nature’s Course
You should favor the right side to get the most distance. The fairway runs out on the left. This semi-blind tee shot is a just a precursor to…
The mega-drop approach shot that plays 40 feet downhill with water around.
This was my favorite hole on the course, hands down.
Hole 15 – 189 yards – Par 3 – Mercy
Despite the name, you won’t get any mercy if you miss this green. It’s a huge target so you probably don’t deserve it anyway!
This green is wild!
Hole 16 – 487 yards – Par 5 – Rolling Thunder
Quick sidebar to explain the first picture below. They used this old barn as the restroom facilities. I always appreciate nontraditional structures when it fits the vibe of the course. This one certainly does.
This blind tee shot may leave you unable to focus. Play your drive up the right-center to avoid mounds on the left.
Once you get past the hill the hole opens up before you. There is something about the large flat bunkers that I liked. They are not something you see too often.
The green has a pretty narrow opening in front.
And plenty of slope on the interior.
Hole 17 – 152 yards – Par 3 – Maple Syrup
The Blackwolf Run theme of trees being in the way continues here. I thought I was going to get through Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) without dealing with this. Compared to the others, this hazard is much less egregious. A solid shot of any shape should easily carry the tree.
Hole 18 – 383 yards – Par 4 – Salmon Trap
This tee shot is a bit weird since a portion of the fairway is visually blocked. Obviously there is more room that you can see in the first photo below.
This hole actually has two greens. One for the red tees (not pictured) and the one below for all the others. This one shares the large double green with the 18th on the River.
You can see the other flag in the photo below.
Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) provided a fun and varied round over interesting terrain. As a whole, I think I liked the River better but some of the holes on Meadow Valleys were really great.
The front side is a bit repetitive due to the terrain but when paired with the back side it is a fine collection of holes. When paired with the other three courses, Kohler has a really great portfolio of golf.
