Do you remember the course you first learned how to play golf? If you were lucky, like me, you were able to play somewhere challenging but fair and had incredible access to it through your younger years. Sparta Municipal Golf Course (River Run now) was that course to me. In this golf course review, I will explore Sparta River Run.
Sparta, WI is a small town located just east of La Crosse, WI in the western part of the state. The landscape in western Wisconsin is incredible with rolling hills and dairy land at every turn. The Sparta golf course, now named River Run, is tucked back in the town of 9,500 residents requiring a drive through its historic downtown.
Background
The course was purchased by the City of Sparta in 1947 for $592 (the remaining cost of a tractor) and expanded to 18 holes in 1982. The current clubhouse was built in 1982 and the course thrives due to the active Men’s and Women’s Association in the area. At 6,600 yards from the championship tees and a par 72, visitors will find the course both challenging and fun.
Onto golf, my brother, two long-time friends and I played Sparta River Run the day before Easter on a warm, sunny April afternoon. The course had a buzz as this was the first real Spring day experienced in this part of the state. We paid $12 to walk the course as it was still considered offseason.
I love going back to Sparta to play this golf course. Nostalgia immediately kicks in as you tee off and gaze down a familiar fairway. Things are different though. Some trees are taller than you remember – some are gone. And Spring conditions were noticeable throughout the round. Regardless, the course remains a good test of golf and I encourage visitors to play.
Course Overview
Some of the unique aspects of the course include the bridge going over to hole 2, a challenging par 3 over water.
Holes 4 & 5 have experienced change in the recent years filling in an enormous trough. As a kid, clearing the crevice was considered quite the shot. For drainage reasons, dirt was used to slope towards Perch Lake.
The tee shot on hole 6 might be the most intimidating on the course. A 4-story tall oak has stood in the middle of the fairway since the course was created. There is no room on the left with a stream protecting the right side sloping away under a bridge. Very tough tee shot – only choice is to bomb one over it.
Holes 7 is a par 5 with a smaller green making finding the putting surface no small feat. There are no bunkers on hole 7 but at over 550 yards, length and out of bounds on the right are its defense. The strategy is to play it as a true 3-shot hole. Find a par and move on.
As groups head back towards the clubhouse, they are provided a reachable par 5 with a chance to make a good score before either finishing or making the turn. The green is slightly elevated and slopes both ways from the middle. Land the ball at pin height to have a relatively straight putt.
Wrapping Up
Sparta River Run golf course is an enjoyable experience and I hope you enjoyed this brief golf course review. As a parkland style course, a golfer will find plenty of tree-lined fairways with some challenging approach shots. In reality, there are not too many golf courses in this area of the state. However, River Run will bring a familiar experience and challenge to all golfers. For anyone considering golf in western Wisconsin, put Sparta on your list. Enjoy the welcoming community, good golf and hometown feels.
UPDATE: Read through some other Golf Wisely course review blogs. In 2019, I wrote 10 course review blogs as well as some perspective blogs. And visit Golf Wisely on Instagram to follow 100% golf content!
