Golf Links
The Links
You Deserve This Golf
Click BOOK To Set Your Tee Time NOW, Then Read What Awaits!
Royal St. Patrick’s Golf Links is the Valley’s only 19 hole Links-style golf experience. Links originally referred to the swath of sandy unfertile ground that lay between the sea and the usable farmland farther inland. This area was typically treeless and used predominantly for livestock grazing. While we are not a Links course in the truest sense of the word, we do share characteristics found on many of the greats.
We are sand based which handles rain well and provides a fast firm playing condition. Our fairways and greens are rumpled and wavy just like the windswept coasts. Our bunkers are strategically placed, and some offer inescapable challenge, much like the “blow-out” bunker areas where livestock would burrow and hide, to escape the fierce coastal winds.
The Links is laid out similar to what you would find on the Scottish or Irish coast. The outward 9 meanders out in a similar direction; only to find the 6th hole begins your long quest back. It is not uncommon to begin your round downwind, only to find both hands on the wheel as you begin to come home. Holes are laid out in isolation from each other, no stray golf balls to injure you, no boisterous groups to yell in your backswing. It’s just you and the challenge immediately ahead.
The first of two special features that make this Links unique, is the lack of trees. Sure we have some that border the holes or provide back drops, but Links courses don’t have trees and golf was meant to be played in open spaces. Trees however beautiful, are a menace to golf. They cause weak grass growth, they are messy in Fall, they reach out to grab your good shots, but mostly they stifle your imagination. The game played without obstacles can be an art. You can do anything you want, as long as you have the power to visualize and the skill to pull it off.
The second feature unique to our Links is wind. We have some of the widest fairways in Wisconsin according to one of the USGA’s chief agronomists; and given the wind conditions, you are free to use every square inch. Wind makes the Links play different every day. Wind may save your ball from flying in the tall fescue grass, wind may dry out an approach allowing you to run a ball onto the green, wind may make your wedge shot spin back, one of the coolest feelings in golf. Wind makes the Links interesting, and the Links was designed for wind. We have a fun saying for all who experience this invisible obstacle:
I Pray Wind Today, To Be My Friend
For My Opponent, To Be His Foe
Where Our Shots May Come Down
Only God Will Know
-Nick Stephens, PGA-
Each hole, was given a unique Scottish name such as Faherie Ahaid and Doon ta’ Brae. Each has its own personality and moves within the 500 acres almost independently of the rest. The holes are framed by pristine lakes and expanses of wildflowers and native fescue grass. Within each hole you will stumble upon additional features that have been named for your enjoyment. Narcut’s Revenge intimidates you on the 5th, and the King’s Casket is buried in the front left corner of the 9th green. Dragon Tooth and Paul’t Pit gobble up errant shots on the 11th and 12th, while Wallace’s Arse provides the final obstacle in completing your quest on our famed 18th. Click on the Tour of Holes link to the left to study the holes in depth.
Minimal forced carries, and five sets of tees makes the Golf Links a pleasure for any ability. This throwback layout boasts the best conditioning in the Valley. The “Final Four” from the tips might be the best finish in the area. Hole 15 Lang Airn asks for just that, a demanding par 3. Hole 16 measuring longer than 430 must navigate the corner of Kiorglin Lake. Barley Cove lurks on the risk reward par 5, 17th, and Braveheart the menacing 18th hole is all you could ask for. 465 yards from the tips, this intimidating tee shot will surely put a lump in your throat.
Halfe Pint is the Valley’s only 19th hole. Used as a bet-settling bonus hole, or perhaps a tune up to your tour of the Links. Join our tradition of experiencing Halfe Pint at the completion of your round. Check out the monument next to the 18th green that reads:
Burn, Fjord and Moorland Passed
Braveheart Struggle Not Yer Last
Memories Replayed From 18th to 1st
Halfe Pint Hole To Quench Yer Thirst
-Nick Stephens, PGA-
For those who cannot crack the Scottish riddle, it simply means: The player in your group who is closest to the pin on the tee shot receives a Complimentary Drink in Crosswind Pub & Grille.
Host Course for 2005 Wisconsin State Amateur Qualifier
Host Course for 2006 & 2007 WSGA State Best-Ball Championships
Host Course for 2010 Wisconsin State Open Qualifier
Links Designer
Robbins & Associates International
Though we could not know the thoughts of our architect Rick Robbins, here is our impression of his lasting impression:
You want me to design what? You have over 500 acres of flat farmland, and you want a Championship caliber Golf Course. It has to be family friendly, and wind through a large residential community and business park. Oh, and you have a limited budget. Let me address this one issue at a time.
500 acres of farmland leaves a blank slate to say the least. The very few natural features need to be utilized as much as possible. I have a small woods area, a small stream, some random stands of trees and very flat terrain to work with. We need soil to create some features like mounds and gently sloping fairways. Ponds will need to be dug as my source for soil and to help define some holes. The more dirt we move, the higher the cost, so a balance between creativity and cost will have to be met. How will I create visually pleasing holes with a lack of natural features? Smooth curves and texture are going to get the best bang for the buck. Elevated tees, gently rolling mounds, fairways with plenty of curves and twists, and greens guarded with bunkers and mounds will appeal to any golfer’s eye. Now let’s add some texture. With large areas between holes, native grasses like fescue will add needed texture and interest. Roughs will be thick, dark green bluegrass; and greens, tees, and fairways will need a fine textured tight growing bent grass. Well placed bunkers that appear to spill out of the mounds, will complete the canvas.
Championship caliber? What does that mean? I suppose a long, challenging lay out, with hazards that gobble up errant shots will do. Well with 500 acres I can certainly make this golf course long. We will push it over 7,000 yards to accommodate this new group of big hitters. Length alone will make it challenging, but with all these ponds, bunkers, and punishing native areas, challenging is not a concern. Tightly mowed tees and fairways, and fast firm greens will provide a very good test.
Family Friendly? You just asked for a Championship level golf course! We need 5 sets of tees for all skill levels. Golfers will need huge, forgiving landing areas, to keep them out of trouble. Let’s make sure the transitions from approaches to greens are flat and smooth, to allow balls to run onto the greens. All features of the hole should be visible from the tee, so there are no hidden surprises. Water features and bunkers will all be visible from the tee and landing areas.
I almost forgot there will be homes out here. Well with this huge property, I can spread the holes out, allowing plenty of Golf Course, and Water Front lots. I will leave plenty of distance between holes to allow for roads and sidewalks. Strategically placing ponds, mounds, and native grass areas, will keep a comfortable distance between poorly hit golf shots and big picture windows.
Budget Friendly. This one always makes me laugh. We will not skimp on grass quality. Great grass promotes great golf shots. If we take advantage of the natural features already here and create features such as Mounds, Tees, and Greens from soil dug to create ponds, we can build a great Family Friendly, Championship Caliber Golf Course, on this large flat piece of farm land, on a limited budget. That was easy!
Exceptional golf course design builds on the natural setting of the development. Robbins & Associates International begins design projects with a thorough evaluation of the site's natural features. All of the elements that will impact the development and life of the course - from the basic terrain and vegetation to recurring weather patters and sun angles - are incorporated in the design.
With courses around the world, their portfolio includes resort courses; private clubs; semi-private courses; municipal courses; and daily fee courses. They have been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, from North Carolina Magazine's Award for Best New Golf Course (1995) to the King and Queen of Malaysia endorsing Palm Garden Club as their personal favorite.
Rick Robbins is also know for his design of Horseshoe Bay Golf Club, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
THE 19th HOLE
Test your skills on this Halfe Pint par 3. Closes to the pin in your group receives a complimentary full pint in the pub! (Not valid for league or outing play.)
Links Policies & Information
- Restrooms are located on holes 4, 7, 14 and 17.
- Water coolers are located on holes 4, 7, 12 and 16.
- A valid driver's license is required to operate a Golf Cart.
- Sprinkler head yardages are measured to the center of the green.
- Players are required to play each nine holes in two hours, 15 minutes or less.
- All food and beverages must be purchases from Royal St. Patrick's. No carry-ins allowed.
- Guests at Royal St. Patrick's are asked to evacuate the golf course at first sign of lightning. Those who continue to play do so at their own risk.
- Player Assistant personnel are for the benefit of all.
- USGA rules govern all play.
For more information about the golf links, please call 920-532-4300 or toll free at 888-LINKS19 (546-5719)
Click for map to Golf Links |
