Sand Valley, the renowned resort in central Wisconsin, has opened a new 12-hole course called Commons. Its design is based on “common ground” courses and village greens traditionally found in the British Isles.
Commons is the sixth course at Sand Valley, joining such well-known courses as The Lido and Sedge Valley. Michael Keiser, developer and co-owner of Sand Valley, wanted the course to live in the center of the resort and took inspiration from old Scottish golf traditions. The course itself was the first solo design by Jim Craig, who has been a longtime associate of architects Coore & Crenshaw. Keiser and Craig drew inspiration from Prestwick Golf Club near Glasgow, Scotland, which hosted the first 12 Open Championships and was originally built as a 12-hole course.
“Commons is really a dream come true for me,” Craig said. “Michael and I worked on so many ideas, and he gave me so much freedom to allow the course to evolve the way it did. It’s been a thrill to see people out enjoying it. That’s the goal — for golfers to have fun and feel the spirit of the game.”
The course features a double green on holes 2 and 4 with a large spine that divides the overall area, creating distinct green complexes for both holes. Four holes run parallel to one another with a routing that lets them flow into each other naturally. The entire course is walkable and can be played in about two and a half hours.
Brandon Carter, director of marketing at Sand Valley, said public response to the course has been very favorable.
“Based on what we’re hearing from those who have played, the 12-hole routing seems to be a perfect number of holes,” he said. “You can enjoy a casual walk and play in just a couple hours, all while having the chance to hit every shot in your bag.”
“One of the most rewarding things has been seeing how many different types of golfers are enjoying it,” Carter said. “Families with children and those traveling with older family members have especially appreciated the opportunity to play together on a course that requires less time and offers a more approachable walk than some of our larger courses. At the same time, the strategy and creativity of the design give experienced golfers plenty to discover.”
Earlier this summer, Sand Valley hosted the inaugural Hickory Invitational at Commons as a tribute to Prestwick Golf Club. This event featured 48 hickory golfers using original equipment crafted before 1935. Peter Flory, a golf historian who was integral to the Lido’s restoration, won the event. He was awarded the Championship Belt, the original trophy for the Open Championship at Prestwick, which will reside at Commons and may be worn by the champion when on property.
“We now have a standing trophy based off the belt that gives the event an opportunity to become a tradition,” Carter said. “While we don’t have anything specific to announce yet, we’d love to find more opportunities to use Commons for creative events like the Hickory Invitational, while also incorporating the course into our existing events and programming.”
Commons also connects Sand Valley’s original resort hub with the new Sedge Village community, providing a link between the resort’s two activity centers.
“I’ve always loved places where golf is simply a part of community life,” Keiser said. “At Saint Andrews, North Berwick and so many other villages where golf took hold, the game exists alongside walking paths and homes. The links are gathering places and sites for everyday activities. Commons was our attempt to create that feeling at Sand Valley — a place to play and to gather.”