ARKDALE, Wis. - About 30 minutes north of the Wisconsin Dells in what is referred to as the Upper Dells, golfers will find a completely unexpected treat: TPC at Sawgrass.
In fact, they will also find Augusta National, Oakland Hills, Firestone Country Club, Oakmont, and Bay Hill.
Lest you think you've fallen through Alice's rabbit-hole in the Wisconsin north woods, I should explain that what you've found way out here is Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina. The 7,223-yard golf course at Northern Bay was designed by Matt Mootz and Tour 18, a Houston-based operation specializing in replica holes and courses.
Although replica golf courses can, and often do, end up as kitschy melanges of unconvincing copies, Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina is unique in that there are only seven replica holes. To its undying credit, the golf course's other 11 holes are all extremely strong and scenic. In fact, a few of them might even be more memorable than some of the replica holes.
Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina in the Dells
From the Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina clubhouse, spectators can watch fellow golfers struggle against - and sometimes conquer - the brutish 462-yard, par-4 18th at Bay Hill.
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Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 2
The 223-yard, par-3 second hole at Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina is actually much prettier - and a better hole - than the par-3 third, a replica of the 16th at Augusta National.
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Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 4
Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina's 480-yard fourth is a replica of the 5th hole at Oakland Hills South Course. It's a solid hole, but if they didn't tell you, you wouldn't know it's a replica.
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Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 6
The 625-yard sixth at Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina is an homage to the 16th at Firestone C.C., but again, as good as it is, you wouldn't likely recognize it on your own.
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Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 10
The tee on the 146-yard 10th at Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina looks every bit as intimidating as the 17th at Sawgrass.
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Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina
Aside from the pines behind the island green, the 10th at Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina is the spitting image of the 17th at TPC Sawgrass.
Andrew Hollingworth/WorldGolf.com
Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 11
The 510-yard 11th at Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina starts out a little drab, but when you round the dogleg, you realize you're staring down the 16th at Augusta.
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Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 12
Oakmont's famed Curch Pew bunker is replicated in all its glory on Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina's 12th hole.
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Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 18 green
The clubhouse is Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina's, but the 18th green is Bay Hill's.
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Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 15
The tee shot at Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina's original 641-yard 15th is as tough as any of the replica holes.
Andrew Hollingworth/WorldGolf.com
Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 16
The 411-yard 16th at Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina captures the spirit of Wisconsin resort golf, with tall, dense timber and subtle mounding that will help tame wayward drives.
Andrew Hollingworth/WorldGolf.com
Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - No. 17
The 167-yard 17th at Northern Bay is nestled into an idyllic glen.
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Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina - Clubhouse
From the tap room in the Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina clubhouse, you can see the infamous island green of the 17th at TPC Sawgrass - that's some view!
Andrew Hollingworth/WorldGolf.com
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