Whistling Straits / Blackwolf Run

Destination Kohler
Kohler, Wisconsin

Kohler, or Destination Kohler as used to describe the holistic array of activities, events and properties related to Kohler, is a town rich in American history and forging ahead with new traditions in golf and luxury.  The town of Kohler was essentially built under the leadership of Kohler Co. and its founders.  Kohler Co., most widely known for kitchen and bath fixture fame, was not always in the golf course and travel destination business.  It was not until recently, approximately twenty years ago, that Kohler Co. developed the golf courses that helped establish Kohler as the world renown travel destination. 

Destination Kohler is comprised of multiple lodging, golf, spa, and fitness locations.  Most locations are within a brief walking distance and there is regularly scheduled shuttle service for convenience.  There are four golf courses, three lodging options and ten dining options.  The two distinct golf locations are Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run.  Each location includes two Pete Dye designed golf courses.  Lodging is available in the historic American Club, the luxurious Carriage House or the progressive Inn on Woodlake. 

Located approximately nine miles north of Kohler is Whistling Straits, which features the Straits Course and the Irish Course.  Both courses are walking only but caddies are readily available.  The Straits Course is an Irish links style course that sits along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.  Half the holes are dramatically perched on bluffs overlooking the lake. 
The Straits Course is home to the 2004, 2010, 2015 PGA Championship, the 2007 U.S. Senior Open Championship as well as the 2020 Ryder Cup matches.  The Irish Course is an inland course engulfed in grasslands and dunes and is another masterpiece.  A flock of about 37 sheep roam both courses to keep the tall grass in check and will surprise any golfer unaware of their presence.  Well over 1,000 bunkers dot each the Straits Course and Irish Course.   

The Whistling Straits clubhouse is styled as an Irish countryside farmhouse.  Elaborate locker rooms are available while the restaurant and pub with a British Isles flair complete the experience.  Lunch is available on the patio outside overlooking several of the Straits Course holes.     

Located approximately 1 mile south of Kohler, Blackwolf Run features The River Course and Meadow Valleys and is a stark contrast to the dunes and links styles of Whistling Straits.  The River Course is home to the 1998 U.S. Women’s Open as well as the 1995, 1996 and 1997 World Golf Championships.  The front nine of Meadow Valleys is relatively docile as its generous fairways wind through prairies.  The back nine of Meadow Valleys and the River Course traverse deep ravines, encounter dramatic elevation changes, navigate dense wooded areas and play along the Sheboygan River and Weeden’s Creek.  
 
The Blackwolf Run clubhouse is styled as a rustic forest lodge.  Native American artifacts and a stone fireplace accent the clubhouse and restaurant which overlooks the Sheboygan River as well as the 18th greens of both courses.  The locker rooms are also large and well appointed allowing golfers to play a late afternoon round of golf and then get cleaned up before enjoying dinner at the clubhouse restaurant. 

The Kohler Golf Academy is a great way to improve the quality and enjoyment of your game.  The Academy provides custom programs along with one to four day golf schools.  All schools include swing lessons and state-of-the-art video swing analysis. 

The flagship of accommodations in Kohler is The American Club, a Tudor-style manor which opened in 1918 as a residence for recent immigrants who worked for Kohler Co.  The American Club was dedicated to America and American ideals.  Patriotism was ever present with American flags, English lessons and assistance with citizenship papers.  Today, The American Club is the Midwest’s only AAA Five Diamond resort hotel and maintains its rich heritage with furnishings, pictures and traditions from its early beginnings. 

Located in the lower level of The American Club is The Immigrant Restaurant.  This fine dining restaurant features creative specialties served in dining rooms dedicated to the immigrants who used to call The American Club home.  The Winery Bar is located adjacent to The Immigrant Restaurant and features wines from around the world as well as over forty Wisconsin artisan cheeses.  Formerly the main dining hall for immigrant residence, The Wisconsin Room is located on the main floor of The American Club and serves breakfast and dinner daily.  The Horse and Plow is the casual tavern and dining option located on the lower level.  Maybe the best way to learn about and experience The American Club is to enjoy the complimentary morning coffee in the library and then stroll through the courtyard gardens or take one of the self-guided audio tours.   

For extra seclusion and luxury accommodations, try the nearby Carriage House, located in the same building which houses the Kohler Waters Spa.  Guests staying here receive complimentary and convenient access to the Kohler Waters Spa. 

The Inn on Woodlake is Kohler’s more laid back accommodation option.  Although built recently in 1994, the property still underwent a major renovation which was completed in July 2008.   The Inn on Woodlake is now completely modernized and highly functional with the latest in technology and designs from Kohler Co.’s bath, furniture and tile lines.  While The American Club provides traditional luxury accommodations, the Inn on Woodlake caters to travelers looking for sophisticated yet functional accommodations.  All rooms include ample luggage space, multiple sinks, refrigerators, flat screen televisions, docking stations for MP3 players and since most rooms are furnished with double beds, the Inn on Woodlake is an economical option for groups of golfers.  The Inn on Woodlake was also redesigned with a clean and polished style leaving one feeling vibrant and refreshed after a night’s stay.  The complimentary continental breakfast adds a nice touch and prepares golfers for another day out on the course.   

Located adjacent to the Inn on Woodlake are the Shops at Woodlake, www.ShopsatWoodlake.com, a collection of boutique shops perfect for visiting for home and garden, apparel and specialty items.  Of particular importance is the Craverie Chocolatier Cafe, a great place to stop for coffees, sandwiches and to experience Kohler’s original recipe entries into the high-end chocolate world. 

Are you looking for a calm oasis as a welcome to Kohler or to relax after a round of golf?  Who else better to experience a rejuvenating spa treatment with than Kohler, the company behind the art of water?  The Kohler Waters Spa blends the soothing, nurturing characteristics of water with other natural elements to restore your body and refresh your mind.  Over fifty different treatments are available including many specially designed for men and couples.  Guests to the spa are welcome to enjoy the relaxation pool with waterfall, separate men’s and women’s whirlpools, plunge pools, saunas, steam rooms and unique showers.  There also is an  open air and glass-enclosed roof-top deck with whirlpools and a sixteen-foot fireplace, perfect for relaxing before or after any treatment.         

No trip to Kohler would be complete without a stop at the Kohler Design Center.  Here, you can see the latest designs in kitchen and bath fixtures in the 36,000 square foot showroom. 
You can also browse through innovative products and obtain a resource packet of catalogs, templates and color samples perfect to finalize ideas for your home.  Kohler Factory tours are available each weekday at 8:30 a.m. and depart from the Kohler Design Center. 

There’s no need to miss any workouts while visiting Destination Kohler.  The Sports Core, a state-of-the-art health and fitness facility, is open to all guests of Destination Kohler.  The complex includes indoor and outdoor tennis courts and whirlpools, racquetball courts, cardio room, weight room, group exercise rooms and two pool options among other amenities.   

Kohler is located just 1 hour from Green Bay and Milwaukee and 2 hours from Chicago making Kohler a quick and convenient destination.       

Kohler also owns and operates the Old Course Hotel located adjacent to the 17th hole on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland.  All the fine dining and accommodation amenities associated with Destination Kohler are also shared at Destination St. Andrew.  Visit Destination St. Andrews at www.oldcoursehotel.kohler.com.

Kohler is offering Fall Golf Specials from September 29th to October 31st, perfect for a fall golf getaway.  Read more about the specials at: Fall Golf Specials.

Maybe you could also coordinate your golf trip with the 2008 Kohler Food & Wine Experience, October 23-26.  There you can enjoy exciting fare from award-winning local and international chefs, soak up culinary knowledge from the food and wine specialists and even get your cookbooks signed by their celebrity authors.  Many events are complimentary.  Read more about the event at: www.KohlerFoodandWine.net.

What I liked about Destination Kohler – I liked that Kohler is more than a golf course, more than a hotel and more than a resort.  It is a town built by an American company in which immigrants traveled from all over the world to start their American dreams.  In fact, The American Club was built to serve as a stimulus for a greater love of this country for all those that entered its doors.  Kohler is full of American history and has continued to welcome worldwide visitors with the development of its four championship golf courses in the last fifteen years.  Visiting Kohler was like becoming a temporary resident of a community.  I dined, shopped, exercised and golfed in the same locations as the people of Kohler.  Certainly the golf courses and accommodations are exceptional but there are activities scheduled year-round in which all residents and visitors can enjoy.  This is what makes Destination Kohler so special.  It is the blending of residents and visitors with open arm hospitality.  It is, as they say, an American tradition. 

I would like to thank everyone at Destination Kohler for their time and hospitality, particularly Beth O’Reilly, Senior Communications Specialist, Public Relations, Mike O’Reilly, Head Golf Professional, Whistling Straits, Mike Aschenbach, 1st Assistant Golf Professional, Whistling Straits and Todd Wagner, Senior Instructor & Coordinator, Kohler Golf Academy.

Chris

Check out Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run and all the other attractions at Destination Kohler at www.destinationkohler.com.

Destination Kohler
Kohler, WI 53044
1-800-344-2838
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