[Golfers' Bucket List⑩] Whistling Straits "World's Largest Minefield Bunker"

Placement of a Staggering 1024 Hangari Bunkers, Spectacular Whistling Strait Views, and the Challenging Greens Influenced by Lake Michigan Winds

Whistling Straits is a representative links course in the United States that preserves the natural terrain as it is. Photo by Whistling Straits official website

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "America's largest links course."

The tenth stop is Whistling Straits Golf Course located in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, USA. It is famous as a battleground where Vijay Singh (Fiji) in 2004, Martin Kaymer (Germany) in 2010, and Jason Day (Australia) in 2015 collected major championship trophies at the PGA Championship of the PGA Tour. The 2007 US Senior Open was held here, and the Ryder Cup, the intercontinental golf competition between the USA and the European Union, is scheduled for next September.

The course record is 9-under-par 63, set by Hiroshi Iwata (Japan) during the second round of the 2015 PGA Championship. At that time, he made one eagle and eight birdies (with one bogey), delivering an impressive performance. Whistling Straits opened in 1998. It is a public course owned by the Kohler Company. The course was designed by Pete and Alice Dye, and consists of a total of 36 holes including the Straits Course (par 72, 7,501 yards) and the Irish Course (par 72, 7,201 yards).

The clubhouse of Whistling Straits, reminiscent of a rural Irish farmhouse. Photo by Whistling Straits Official Website

The clubhouse is modest, reminiscent of a rural farmhouse in Ireland. The Straits Course, which offers spectacular views of the Whistling Strait, is the main course. It is interesting that it replicates the coastal links courses of Scotland and Ireland. The natural terrain has been preserved. Although not the sea, it borders the vast Lake Michigan for about 3 km. A total of eight holes are connected to the lake, and the elevation difference is 24 meters. There are even three stone bridges. The large, sloped greens keep golfers on edge.

There are no large trees or forests, but deep bunkers, sand dunes, and the wind swirling around the lake are variables. Attention should be paid to the fact that there are as many as 1,024 bunkers, including pot bunkers. The deep pot bunkers covered with grass in front of and in the center of the green on the 6th hole (par 4, 355 yards) were added after the US Senior Open. The Irish Course opened in 2000. It features an inland grass and sand dune layout. Whistling Straits upgraded the course ahead of the Ryder Cup.

American players, many of whom are long hitters, had the fairways on the 9th hole (par 4, 446 yards) and 11th hole (par 5, 563 yards) expanded to their advantage. The 42nd Ryder Cup held in 2018 at Le Golf National in ?le-de-France, Paris, France, rather narrowed the fairways to trouble American players. The rough was lengthened around the 2nd hole (593 yards) and 5th hole (603 yards, both par 5), and around the 9th hole green. During the September tournament, temperatures may drop and snow may fall.

It is the "bunker minefield" of the 11th hole at Whistling Straits. Photo by Whistling Straits website

The 3rd hole (181 yards), 7th hole (221 yards), 12th hole (143 yards), and 17th hole (223 yards, all par 3) are affected by the lake wind. The last two holes, 17 and 18, are the decisive points. The 17th hole is the most threatening par 3. The distance itself is daunting. The area around the hole is a "minefield" of bunkers. If the ball does not get caught in the bunker on the left side of the green, it falls into the lake. The 18th hole (par 4) is considered the toughest hole in the United States. It is an uphill 520 yards, making it difficult to maintain par.

Due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, safety measures are being emphasized. Cart occupancy is limited to one person. Social distancing must be maintained on the course. Large amounts of hand sanitizer have been placed, and water coolers and ball washers are prohibited from operation. Players play with the pin in the green. Only a limited number of people can enter the golf shop, and only credit cards are accepted. Caddies are available. The fee is $70 for 18 holes, $40 for 9 holes, and $40 for a forecaddie.