Sand Valley?

[miss0033]

12 minutes ago, The Milkman said:

This is unacceptable!

 

What course would you regulars recommend playing a 2nd time? When I initially booked I have us for Sand Valley / Mammoth day 1, and Mammoth / Lido day 2. 

 

If Sedge isn't an option for switching one of the Mammoths, is that the best plan for a repeat round during the trip? 

 

In my opinion, yes.  I think after you play the first time there are a few holes where you didn't see something, or want another crack at it.  Sand Valley is fairly straight forward, not a bad course, but all right in front of you.  Mammoth is massive, and there are much better parts of fairways to be in than others.  Speed slots, backboards on greens, etc.  I'd recommend keeping Mammoth as your replay, but that's my opinion.  Some people love C&C courses and would rather have that as the replay.  

[The Milkman]

56 minutes ago, miss0033 said:

 

In my opinion, yes.  I think after you play the first time there are a few holes where you didn't see something, or want another crack at it.  Sand Valley is fairly straight forward, not a bad course, but all right in front of you.  Mammoth is massive, and there are much better parts of fairways to be in than others.  Speed slots, backboards on greens, etc.  I'd recommend keeping Mammoth as your replay, but that's my opinion.  Some people love C&C courses and would rather have that as the replay.  

Caddy the first time, but without the 2nd would you say?

[mci711]

1 hour ago, The Milkman said:

Caddy the first time, but without the 2nd would you say?

 

I've gone to SV quite a few times. I took a caddie the first time and thought it was pretty unnecessary. The last few times I just took a push cart. I really don't think it is necessary unless you just don't want to carry/push on your own. 

[bcc624]

9 hours ago, The Milkman said:

Caddy the first time, but without the 2nd would you say?

If you are taking a caddy primarily for course knowledge, you don’t need them for your replay a day later. I did Mammoth 2x last year and didn’t take a caddy the 2nd time. Only hole that the caddie gave me information that I would have not gotten on my own was on #16. We had a front pin and the caddie told us to aim way further right (making it a blind shot over the hill/mound) and take a club that was maybe one less than the distance to the pin.  

[StudentGolfer4]

I would rather play Mammoth again that Sand Valley. A caddie isn’t needed at either course but definitely helps at mammoth. Sand valley has a handful of tee balls that require course knowledge as well. 2 6, and 7 are blind or have hidden bunkers. 12 is very awkward and 16 you can’t see much of anything past the fairway bunker. 
 

If you don’t take a looper for round 2 grab a yardage book. 

[kaschreiber]

Looking at a buddy's trip to SV in late summer / early fall '25. Based on experience, are we foolish to try and go in Sept given weather / daylight. Anyone know what the current booking window is for reservations?

[ESOX ZO]

31 minutes ago, kaschreiber said:

Looking at a buddy's trip to SV in late summer / early fall '25. Based on experience, are we foolish to try and go in Sept given weather / daylight. Anyone know what the current booking window is for reservations?

 

If you are looking for Lodging I'd say you are out of luck. Booked a Sun/Mon/Tue this past January for mid Sept and that was the only opening all year at the time for a group of 8. That being said, Sept is arguably the best weather all year so not sure what are you worried about there? Plenty of sunlight out still, October is when daylight time really starts to shrink. 

[kaschreiber]

13 minutes ago, ESOX ZO said:

 

If you are looking for Lodging I'd say you are out of luck. Booked a Sun/Mon/Tue this past January for mid Sept and that was the only opening all year at the time for a group of 8. That being said, Sept is arguably the best weather all year so not sure what are you worried about there? Plenty of sunlight out still, October is when daylight time really starts to shrink. 

Did you book Jan of this year for Sept of next year? I'm looking to try and book Sept of '25 (not '24)

Edited October 10, 2023 by kaschreiber

[bcc624]

51 minutes ago, kaschreiber said:

Looking at a buddy's trip to SV in late summer / early fall '25. Based on experience, are we foolish to try and go in Sept given weather / daylight. Anyone know what the current booking window is for reservations?

Weather is fine in September. Go earlier in the month to be safe. 

[ESOX ZO]

18 hours ago, kaschreiber said:

Did you book Jan of this year for Sept of next year? I'm looking to try and book Sept of '25 (not '24)

Yeah Correct, nice you're on it then I don't think you'll run into a problem as much as I did. 

[The Milkman]

Now that Sand Valley is closing for the season, its finally feeling like our trip next May is getting close. We're 6.5 months out, but our group of 8 is pumped. I've started to send emails with video links, articles, things like that. 

 

Planning for logistics now with flights since several of us are coming from different cities. Unfortunately when I made tee times for Friday afternoon at the Sandbox it was before flight schedules were announced. Instead of flying into MKE we're going to need to go to Midway and make the longer drive because there are flights that get in much earlier there. Oh well. Would rather a long drive than stressing and rushing to get there on time. 

[Phreddy]

2 hours ago, The Milkman said:

Now that Sand Valley is closing for the season, its finally feeling like our trip next May is getting close. We're 6.5 months out, but our group of 8 is pumped. I've started to send emails with video links, articles, things like that. 

 

Planning for logistics now with flights since several of us are coming from different cities. Unfortunately when I made tee times for Friday afternoon at the Sandbox it was before flight schedules were announced. Instead of flying into MKE we're going to need to go to Midway and make the longer drive because there are flights that get in much earlier there. Oh well. Would rather a long drive than stressing and rushing to get there on time. 

Sadly since 2008/9 when the world crumbled and airlines went to a largely hub and spoke model MKE gets very little direct traffic.  Have a great trip!

[rouges1922]

Can confirm that Sedge will not be opening until mid-Summer per an email I received inquiring if it would be open when I’m scheduled to be there in late May. This blows.

[bcc624]

That’s tough. Especially when you have to make reservations over a year in advance thinking the course will be open.

[eboettne]

That blows big time, I may shorten my trip now and play Troy Burne and another course on the drive back home.

Edited October 23, 2023 by eboettne

[The Milkman]

Oof that sucks. We have the following, which I booked expecting one of the Mammoth's to switch to become Sedge. Oh well

 

Friday PM: Sandbox

Saturday: Sand Valley / Mammoth

Sunday: Mammoth / Lido

 

I know it'll still be great but sucks knowing we're just a month or so different from getting to play another incredible one. Guess we'll just get to take a 2nd look at going low on Mammoth Dunes

[jimwgt26]

I'm lucky enough to live three hours away and my wife is from WI, so I get to SV a lot.  1) If no lodging onsite, The Inn Of The Pines is 15 minutes south of the resort. It's a dump, but does the job. 2) Both SV and Mammoth are fairly straightforward, you don't need a caddy.  Have not played the Lido yet, but hear good things.  3) The Sandbox is a must.  

[StudentGolfer4]

6 hours ago, The Milkman said:

Oof that sucks. We have the following, which I booked expecting one of the Mammoth's to switch to become Sedge. Oh well

 

Friday PM: Sandbox

Saturday: Sand Valley / Mammoth

Sunday: Mammoth / Lido

 

I know it'll still be great but sucks knowing we're just a month or so different from getting to play another incredible one. Guess we'll just get to take a 2nd look at going low on Mammoth Dunes

Idk if these times are flexible but if so I would recommend swapping the Sunday rounds. 

 

I would play Lido in the morning. It needs your full attention and Mammoth is perfect as a fun and relaxing PM round.

[oneunderbogey]

How far out is the booking window?  Tried to book summer 2024... no luck would like to try for summer 2025.  Anyone know when that window will open?

[The Milkman]

3 hours ago, oneunderbogey said:

How far out is the booking window?  Tried to book summer 2024... no luck would like to try for summer 2025.  Anyone know when that window will open?

Early February 2024 is when they should open up for bookings in 2025. If you want summer, you'll need to book likely on the first day they open

[mci711]

Has anyone heard anything about sedge village? I've heard no updates any time recently about the pool, spa, bbq etc..

[jwhite86]

13 hours ago, mci711 said:

Has anyone heard anything about sedge village? I've heard no updates any time recently about the pool, spa, bbq etc..

Above someone posted something from SV saying Sedge won't be open until mid-summer

 

I haven't heard anything about the pool/ spa or anything else

[mci711]

Just now, jwhite86 said:

Above someone posted something from SV saying Sedge won't be open until mid-summer

 

I haven't heard anything about the pool/ spa or anything else

 

Yea I saw that about Sedge Valley. More so wondering about the "village" they announced. Had an email from them like a year and half ago about it and haven't had anything since. I sent them an email last night. I'll report what I hear. 

[eboettne]

15 hours ago, mci711 said:

Has anyone heard anything about sedge village? I've heard no updates any time recently about the pool, spa, bbq etc..

I'd also like to hear about the pool, spa, bbq as I was excitedly told those + sedge valley will all be open by my Memorial Day Trip in 2024.  At least if Sedge isn't open, would be nice to hit up a hot tub.

[mci711]

27 minutes ago, eboettne said:

I'd also like to hear about the pool, spa, bbq as I was excitedly told those + sedge valley will all be open by my Memorial Day Trip in 2024.  At least if Sedge isn't open, would be nice to hit up a hot tub.

 

I agree. The talk of it kind of just disappeared, which is concerning. I wonder how they can even staff that stuff. Getting a massage therapist to Nekoosa, Wisconsin can't be all that easy. 

[mci711]

[eboettne]

3 hours ago, mci711 said:

Giving themselves a lot of leeway with "anticipate" and "2024".  Perhaps they weren't able to find contractors as quickly as they hoped. God knows that's an issue all over the Midwest.

[mci711]

34 minutes ago, eboettne said:

Giving themselves a lot of leeway with "anticipate" and "2024".  Perhaps they weren't able to find contractors as quickly as they hoped. God knows that's an issue all over the Midwest.

Agree. I'd say it's 50/50 being open this summer. 

[StudentGolfer4]

Im a bit surprised how much of an issue they’re having with this and announcing a time for Sedge to officially open. I understand more on the course because it depends a lot on the unpredictable Wisconsin winter. 
 

Last summer everything was running so smoothly and it felt like a well oiled machine. Maybe they will have a better idea of the completion date when spring rolls around. 
 

Maybe this is a case of under promise and over deliver but it doesn’t feel like it. 
 

My best guess (with zero inside knowledge) is that they are hoping to have it open by Labor Day weekend. 

[bird206]

How long does an average round take at the Sandbox par3 course at Sand Valley? Inquiring for planning purposes. Thanks.