The village of Kohler, about two hours north of Chicago, is home to arguably the best foursome of golf courses at one resort. Pete Dye built two generations of golf courses, first the River course and Meadow Valleys at Blackwolf Run, followed by the acclaimed Straits course and Irish course at Whistling Straits, just a few miles down the road on the shores of Lake Michigan.
The two clubs are strikingly different. Blackwolf Run is set in a rolling and forested parkland. The River course in particular plays along the Cheboygan River bed on many holes. Meadow Valleys on the other hand features a mix of wide open pasture holes and tighter, forested ones as well.
Both Whistling Straits golf courses required a remarkable imagination (not to mention budget) from Herb Kohler and Dye. An estimated 5,000 truckloads of soil were hauled in to this former air base, which was mostly flat. Using the soil, Dye created a virtual Irish coastline, full of rugged and towering dunes. The result is a shocking - and at times very intimidating - two golf courses.
Here's a look at some of Brandon Tucker's best photographs from his recent trip to the four golf courses in Kohler.
Irish Course at Whistling Straits - No. 6
The Irish Course features all the sharp mounding and heavy bunkering of the more famous Straits Course next door.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
Irish Course at Whistling Straits - No. 7
Take a closer look at No. 7 on the Irish Course at Whistling Straits.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
Irish Course at Whistling Straits - No. 10
The par-4 10th hole on the Irish course at Whistling Straits heads uphill before doglegging left.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
River Course at Blackwolf Run - No. 5
The fifth hole on the River course at Blackwolf Run is one of the many holes playing along the Cheboygan River.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
River Course at Blackwolf Run - No. 9
The short par-4 ninth is one of Dye's most ingenious on the River Course, featuring multiple levels of risk off the tee.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
River Course at Blackwolf Run - No. 12
No. 12 on the River course at Blackwolf Run, "Long Lagoon," plays along the river from tee to green.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
Meadow Valleys at Blackwolf Run - No. 5
Though considered by many to be the weakest of the four courses in Kohler, Meadow Valleys is still a scenic and challenging round of golf.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
Meadow Valleys at Blackwolf Run - No. 14
One of Meadow Valleys' prettiest holes is the par-4 14th hole, heading straight downhill to a green guarded by water.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
Meadow Valleys at Blackwolf Run - No. 18
The 18th hole on Meadow Valleys at Blackwolf Run features two greens on opposite sides of the river.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
Straits Course at Whistling Straits - No. 4
The Straits Course at Whistling Straits features many holes lining the expansive Lake Michigan.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
Straits Course at Whistling Straits - No. 3
A round on the Straits Course comes with mandatory caddies to help plot you around this difficult course.
Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com
