Central Wisconsin's Sand Valley Continues the Dream Golf Experience With the Unveiling of the Commons Course

A return trip to Sand Valley Resort is a kind of déjà vu experience. The front entrance looks pretty much the same as it did during your last visit. And the hotel in the center of the complex looks exactly as you remembered it. But the more you look around, the more it becomes obvious that something has changed. And you have every reason to maintain that sense as change is a constant part of the master plan of this Central Wisconsin golf wonderland.

In just its ninth full season, this 12,000-acre sandy expanse has maintained a constant arc of evolution, expansion and improvement. The dynamic Sand Valley course made way for the intriguing Mammoth Dunes course. Which was very quickly joined by the Sandbox short course. Which then momentarily ceded the spotlight to the nationally heralded Lido course. Which almost simultaneously was joined by the rolling and rollicking Sedge Valley course. And all that happened between 2017 and 2024.

The latest bauble scheduled to be added to this spectacular charm bracelet of golf will be formally introduced in Spring, 2026. The 12-hole Commons course will become the resort's sixth layout. Located just north of Sedge Valley, the course was designed by Jimmy Craig, a shaper who worked for Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (designers of the Sand Valley course) and was the lead associate on their 17-hole Sandbox par-3 course. Already shaped and seeded, the course has received praise from national golf publications who enjoyed a sneak peek. The course-said to be inspired in part by the North Berwick Golf Club in Scotland--consists of one par-5, four par-3s and seven par-4s. The first hole is a fascinating par-5 that ends on a contoured green supported by a massive sand dune. Following the first eight holes that are located on rolling land, three of the final four holes take on a vastly different character as they weave toward, around and across Luna Lake. Like the 6,000-yard Sedge Valley, the course encourages finesse over brawn. Place tee shots in strategic landing areas and be rewarded with open approach shots to greens. Errant tee shots, on the other hand, may wind up in one of the course's gaping bunkers.

"The Commons course could be considered an 'afternoon course,'" said Tom Ferrell, vice-president of media and communications of Dream Golf Resorts, in an August interview. "Guests will play one of the resort's championship courses in the morning and might then look to test their skills with a fun, shorter course. While not a par-3 course like the Sandbox, the Commons will be accessible to every handicap level. And at 12 holes, it can be played in a couple of hours." Like every course at Sand Valley, the Commons is designated as a walking-only experience.

The Commons will serve as an extension of the Sedge Valley community residences located near the Sedge Valley course. These residences are located near the Tennis Center which hosts an indoor "court tennis" court, a fully-stocked pro shop and the bistro-style The Gallery Italian restaurant. Guests across the property have access to the both the center and the restaurant.

"I think the Commons course will surprise and delight a lot of people," said Ferrell. "The water holes are unlike anything else at Sand Valley-or on any Dream Golf destination, really."
Over the past two years, the grand openings of both The Lido and Sedge Valley courses have basically defined Sand Valley as one of the nation's premier golf complexes. Along with adding 36 holes to this former tree farm in Nekoosa the resort has also added to its accommodations; evolved into a four-season destination; opened multiple dining options, and expanded its unique tennis offerings which includes grass tennis courts.
The origins of Sand Valley date to the early 2010's when golf construction executive Craig Haltom came across a parcel of sand, trees and wild vegetation that he sensed would make for a great golf property. Haltom shared his discovery with Michael Keiser, who very quickly shared his enthusiasm. After the land acquisition from the Plum Creek Timber Company, Keiser hired Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to shape the land into a championship course unlike any other in Wisconsin. From emptied lakebed and forested dunes emerged the humble beginnings of what would quickly evolve into one of America's premier golf destinations.

Honored as the Best New Course of 2017 by multiple national golf magazines, the Sand Valley championship layout appears at first glance to have been designed by Mother Nature. Sand dunes flow into wide expanses teeming with red pines, native grasses and even prickly cacti. The course design is amazingly varied and dramatic. Fairways play hard and fast; thus, tee shots spring forward by 10, 20 and even 30 yards if the ball catches the back end of a hill. Greens are large and massively undulating as they challenge players to consider angles and pin positions on every approach shot.
While it is tempting to compare Mammoth Dunes to its sister course, the fact is that the two layouts reside on completely different landscapes. Sand Valley is wide-open with saplings and shrubs lining the layout's perimeters. Trees are a prominent feature on Mammoth Dunes-not necessarily as obstacles but to frame holes. Named Best New Course of the Year by multiple national golf magazines in 2018, Mammoth Dunes was inspired by McLay Kidd's earlier work at Bandon Dunes in Oregon. His stated philosophy is to create courses "as natural as possible, as seamless as possible, and as sustainable as possible." Given 500 acres of pristine land, the architect produced a feast for the eyes complete with remarkable panoramas, extravagantly wide fairways, contoured greens and even a pair of drivable par-4s. The end-result is a course that is unique, fun and visually thrilling.

The Sandbox is an ingenious 1,757-yd. 17-hole creation that serves up loads of fun in a fraction of the time it takes to play a regulation course. Laid out over 25 acres of sandy soil, The Sandbox features holes that vary in length from 40 yards to 150 yards. The green complexes are the featured attractions on the course, with undulations and tiers challenging players to calculate landing areas sometimes far away from the flagstick locations. Depending on the greenkeeper's inclination, some flags on the course have to be ignored as their position just behind a greenside bunker basically eliminate any chances of landing the tee shot anywhere near the hole.

In December, 2023, Sand Valley Resort was selected by the USGA to host four prestigious USGA championships. The Lido will be primary host of the 2026 U.S. Mid-Amateur and of the 2029 U.S. Junior Amateur. In 2030, the resort will host the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur and will follow that event in 2034 with the U.S. Girls' Junior Amateur..
Five years ago, Sand Valley Resort transitioned into a four-season resort complete with holiday and wellness events as well as cross-country skiing, fat-tire biking and snowshoeing during the winter months. During spring, summer and fall, hiking trails and grass court tennis are the primary non-golf amenities. "The transition from a seasonal resort to a full-season property was the result of demand from our guests, many of whom consider Sand Valley Resort their home away from home," said Carter. "The obvious benefit is that our resort staff can stay in-place year 'round."
Sand Valley Resort is just one of four premier US golf resorts in the Dream Golf Resorts portfolio. The first was the Oregon Coast's Bandon Dunes Resort. The vision of Mike Keiser (father of Sand Valley's Michael and Chris Keiser), the resort today encompasses seven true links courses all located along a breathtaking, remote coastline. Bandon Dunes, Old Macdonald, the Sheep Ranch, Bandon Trails and the new 19-hole Shorty's par-3 course have captivated scores of golfers from around the world ever since the original course opened in 1999.

The Dream Golf portfolio is set to expand rapidly in coming months with the introduction of two new resorts in Texas and Colorado. A 40-ft. high sand protrusion nicknamed "Old Baldy" will become the starting point for three holes over two courses at Wild Spring Dunes in East Texas. Set to open for limited play at the end of this year, the first course was designed by Tom Doak and was built on 2,463 acres of land incorporating dense areas of towering pines, steep elevation changes, spring-fed creeks and open savannas. The resort is located in an isolated part of the state a few hours' drive from both Dallas and Houston. Along with first-class accommodations and dining options, planned amenities include a short course and a practice center. The second course was designed by Coore & Crenshaw.
Sand dunes towering up to 90-feet high inspired the construction of the first course at Rodeo Dunes in Colorado, less than an hour's drive from the Denver airport. Scheduled to open in 2026, the course was designed by Coore & Crenshaw a rolling site that Coore has called "gifted land" that provides a natural canvas for greens and fairways.
"Opening up two resorts and the Commons at the same time is a real juggling act," said Ferrell of Dream Golf Resorts with a laugh. "We would like to think that golfers who have enjoyed great experiences at Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley will be eager to travel to other parts of the country for new experiences.

"Rodeo Dunes will be vastly different from Wild Spring Dunes which is also vastly different from our other properties," Ferrell continued. "But the one important common thread of all Dream Golf properties is our commitment to provide great experiences that will stay with our guests long after they leave the properties."
The first course at Rodeo Dunes will be succeeded by a second course designed by the same Jimmy Craig who designed the aforementioned Commons course at Sand Valley. Craig traveled throughout Scotland and Ireland for ideas and inspiration for routing the course alongside a dramatic landscape teeming with sand dunes.

"The support we've received from founders and partners on all of the projects has really helped motivate these ambitious construction plans," said Ferrell. "The name 'Dream Golf' is based upon a single vision of great golf experiences accessible and affordable to the general public."

When asked about the next change coming to Sand Valley, Ferrell paused for a moment before speaking. "All I can tell you today about Sand Valley," he said with a chuckle, "is that we're not done building golf courses there!"

To create your own dream golf package, visit the Sand Valley Resort website :at www.sandvalley.com or Dream Golf Resorts at www.dreamgolf.com