Wisconsin State Journal
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Rob Hernandez

There's nothing that says golfers vacationing here must satisfy their nine-hole hunger with nibbles from the area's many outstanding 18- and 27-hole courses. Not since July 1, at least. That's when Spring Brook Golf Course opened, giving golfers looking to spend a couple of hours away from the water parks and roller coasters a 3,011-yard option to do so.

In fact, it is with great reluctance that I reveal the whereabouts of this surprising gem cut from the trees along Interstate 90/94 (west of the road between exits 87 and 89). After all, how many places around here do you have to yourself as I did at twilight the other night? I'm guessing that won't be a luxury I find very often once the greens speed up, the fairways mature and others learn of the course.

Designer Dan Feick, who hit a home run with his work on the Bridges Golf Course in Madison before fouling one off with Kestrel Ridge in Columbus, covered all the bases at Spring Brook. I played it 12 days after it opened and came away very impressed at how Feick managed to create a North Woods feel (Interstate traffic not withstanding).

Six of the nine holes are completely tree-lined. From the approach shot on the 334-yard second hole to the drive on the 355-yard ninth, Spring Brook requires some semblance of accuracy from tee to green.The scorecard touts a course that's "challenging yet playable for all ages" and I saw considerable truth in that. I also saw the rich, red sun depicted on the course's logo as I stood on the seventh tee and peered through the trees at the sun setting on a hot, humid day.More importantly, I saw a lot of promise to a course that promises to be a welcome addition to the growing portfolio of Dells offerings. 

Conditions
The greens were ridiculously slow, but sufficiently green. That combination means they can only get better and I have no doubts that they will if the area ever sees significant rainfall again.The next year will be the most critical for Spring Brook. From little touches like edging the bunkers to more significant challenges such as thinning the underbrush in the wooded areas to ensure a steady pace of play, the course controls its future from a reputation standpoint.

Design and layout
Spring Brook won't approach the championship caliber of Trappers Turn and Christmas Mountain, which have distanced themselves from the condo-happy Wilderness as the Dells' two premier facilities.But there is a lot to like in the nine holes at Spring Brook.

Every hole is a test off the tee. The rest is simple math.A drive between the trees usually equals a par or birdie because there isn't much left on the approach shot. A drive into the trees, however, equals trouble because it's either out-of-bounds or lost forever.The course serves as a buffer between the highway and growing resort community of vacation homes popping up adjacent to the course. But it didn't take long to appreciate the course was much more than that.

Best and worst
The par-4 sixth was the most creative hole at Spring Brook. At 338 yards, it featured a subtle dogleg to the right following a drive over wetlands. A second back-tee option brings more water into play.No.3 might be the course's least-challenging hole. At 300 yards, a straight drive leaves little more than a bunt wedge into the green.

Overall rating
My two oldest children were with their grandparents at the Rick Wilcox magic show on the Dells' main drag. My two youngest kids were with their mom and a cousin at the indoor play area at the hotel.What's a dad with 2 hours to do? Play golf, of course.Not even my sweat-soaked shirt could dampen the experience of playing nine holes alone in my thoughts for 90 minutes. My perfect evening ended with me hitting a driver/gap wedge on the 355-yard ninth hole to 5 feet and holing my birdie putt under a stunning half moon.

Location: 242 Lake Shore Drive, Wisconsin Dells, 53965. Located 55 miles north of Madison, off Highway 23 at exit 89 off Interstate 90/94.

Directions: Follow Highway P west to Birchwood Road; follow Birchwood north to Berry Lane and follow it east to the clubhouse on left.

Phone: 608-254-4343.
Web site: www.dellsgolfresort.com
Year opened: 2005.* Architect: Dan Feick.* Holes, par: Nine, 36.* Yards: 3,012; 2,707; 2,420.* Terrain: Tree-lined.* Difficulty: Average.* Amenities: Clubhouse featuring a fitness center, recreation center, banquet hall and restaurant; power carts; vacation home rentals. Contact Rob Hernandez at rhernandez@madison.com or 608-252-6173.