The River at Blackwolf Run golf course has been a mainstay of golf prestige in Wisconsin for a few decades. Golfers pursue playing The River as it has hosted a variety of championships. However, in recent years, Blackwolf Run has been pushed to the back burner. This is due to the opening of several new golf courses cropping up across Wisconsin. In this golf course review, I will cover whether Blackwolf Run should maintain its top spot in the state.
Course Background
Blackwolf Run, in Kohler, WI, is home to two golf courses; The River and Meadow Valleys. Opening in 1988, it was rated as the “Best New Public Course” by Golf Digest. The courses have hosted a few championships including the Andersen Consulting World Golf and US Women’s Open.
Blackwolf Run achitect, Pete Dye, includes his signature features such as bunkering and railroad ties. The golf course is designed to be difficult requiring precision and shot-making. Weave in a winding river and water on 14 of 18 holes and you have a challenging day.
Course Playability
The River is set up to be a riding golf course. This is made obvious by the paved cart paths weaving throughout the grounds. I made the decision to walk The River during my round. This decision was noticed by employees including the starter and beverage cart attendants.
The River sits on a vast property with many holes situated a few hundreds yards away. The setup is not conducive to walking and felt more like a resort course than I would have liked.
The golf course design shows its age by being built in the 1980s. This era was known for penal golf design where water and length were the defense. Since that time, there has been a shift by architects to find new ways to challenge golfers. Those principles include angles and undulating greens.
Golf Experience
Kohler Destination golf courses are designed as a full golfing experience. They include four brilliant golf courses; The Straits, The Irish, The River and Meadow Valleys. These courses are some of the best in the state of Wisconsin. The experience is heightened by the lodging and dining.
The rates for The River are steep. During the summer, a round of golf can be ~$250-300 plus a caddie fee. Caddie fees are $70 per person plus a $50 tip. In most cases, caddies will carry two bags.
Visitors will be blown away by the Village of Kohler. Driving through Kohler brings a feeling of Pleasantville. Round out your golfing experience by bringing a spouse. The American Club just a mile away from the course and offers a great itinerary for couples.
Finally, the on-course experience is very enjoyable. Course conditions will be in the best shape for the season. We had a beautiful Spring day for golf that was accentuated by a gorgeous course as the backdrop.
Memorable Golf Holes
Hole 5 – Par 4, 388 yards
The 5th hole, named Made in Heaven, is the first elevated tee shot for golfers at The River. The yardage will not scare anyone unless the wind is blowing. A reasonable wind will require precision off the tee to avoid well-positioned fairway bunkers. The approach shot to an elevated green is difficult. Distance control is critical for a birdie, let along par.
Hole 9 – Par 4, 316 yards
The last hole of the first nine named Cathedral Spires, is a short par 4 measuring only 316 yards. Golfers could hit 7-iron/7-iron into the green for a comfy par, but that is not what Pete Dye intended. The architect baits golfers to go directly at the green. At only a 240 yards carry many will attempt the shot. The winding river on the right needs to be ignored in order for a committed swing. The green is well-guarded with bunkers. Enjoy this one.
Hole 12 – Par 4, 423 yards
Hole 12 named Long Lagoon, is a challenging par 4 – especially when playing into the wind. Golfers will decide to aim at one of two landing areas. The more aggressive line (left) will leave a better angle with a mid-iron approach shot. From the right, players must take on the Sheboygan River with a long-iron in hand. Par is an excellent score here.
Golf Course Review Final Thoughts
The River is a beautiful golf course. No question. Destination Kohler pulls out all the stops to make a memorable experience for golfers. However, if you only going for the golf, I cannot recommend The River as a must-play. The golf rates do not match the golf course. The course architecture does not promote fun for all skill levels. I would lose credibility on this golf blog and golf course review if I recommended The River at Blackwolf Run.
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