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When researching resort destinations for your next golf trip, consider visiting Kohler, Wisconsin.  Kohler is home to 4 Championship golf courses, the world-renowned Kohler Waters Spa, and The American Club that offers accommodations second to none.  Plus, it is easily accessible and is only about 2 ½ hours north of Chicago (or 1 hour north of Milwaukee, near Sheboygan, WI).

The American Club

The American Club has the best accommodations and amenities of any resort you will see out there today.   There are 2 buildings to The American Club – the main hotel and the Carriage House.  The well-appointed buildings are beautiful brick 3-story buildings that used to house the Kohler plant workers in the early 1900’s, and needless to say, it does not have a typical resort hotel look or feel.    When you enter the main building, it feels as though you have walked into the warm, welcoming living room of a dear friend…and the staff makes you feel that way as well.

When visiting Kohler, we choose to stay at the Carriage House.  It is a bit pricier than the main building, but it has the same styling and comes with some nice perks.  At the Carriage House, you are invited to complimentary continental breakfast, tea in the mid-afternoon, and drinks before your evening activities. It is a nice opportunity chat with other guests or just relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Another perk of staying at the Carriage House is that the spa is located in the lower-level of the building.  Guests are encouraged to wear their Kohler-provided robes and slippers anywhere on the premises, including down to the spa area.  It is not uncommon to see folks fresh from the spa relaxing in the living room while chatting with friends.  (Please note: All Carriage House patrons must be at least 18 years old.  Families with children can stay at the main hotel.)

Kohler Waters Spa

The entrance of the spa is located on the main level of the Carriage House and has its own large, living room-esque lounge area.  I took full advantage of the spa and checked-in about an hour early for my services.  This allowed me time to listen to music on my IPhone and truly immerse myself in the experience.  About 15 minutes prior to my services, I proceeded downstairs to the main services area.  Located on this level are locker rooms for both men and women and a shared pool and spa area.

The women’s locker room provides all of the amenities you could ever need.  There is a separate pool, steam, and spa area, as well as shower facilities stocked with signature Kohler Waters Spa products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and disposable razors).  Spa attendants are never far away if you need any additional assistance.  (I have good “child-bearing” hips, so I always request a larger robe from a Spa Attendant when checking-in and they are more than happy to accommodate.)  The locker room also has a dressing area fully stocked with brushes, hair dryers, and styling products, so you can go back out into the world looking great.

Golf

Of course, one of the main reasons to make a trip to the Badger State is for the golf.  There are 2 golf facilities with 2 courses each – Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits.  If you are as much of a golf enthusiast as I am, you are probably more familiar with Whistling Straits, as this is where 2010 PGA Championship was played.

Blackwolf Run

The courses at Blackwolf Run are about a 5 minute car ride from the resort (approx. 2 miles away) and are the closest to the resort.  (After many visits, my husband and I both agree that The River Course at Blackwolf Run is our favorite.)  Each hole has its own distinct traits and challenges, including steep drop-offs and the Sheboygan River running through it.  However, don’t let that intimidate you!  This course is very playable for the average golfer.  (For pictures and detailed information about each hole, visit http://www.danperry.com/blog/river-blackwolf-run-review/).

The second course at Blackwolf Run is the Meadows Valley Course.  This course has many of the same challenges as The River Course, but unfortunately, I don’t have detailed information regarding this course to pass on.  The last time we played this course was several years ago and since then, it has been reconfigured for a tournament for LPGA Tour.  (For detailed information, visit the official website at  http://www.destinationkohler.com/golf/bwr/valleys_detail.html)

Whistling Straits

The courses located at the Whistling Straits facility are The Irish Course and The Straits Course.  These courses are an easy 15 minute ride from the resort and are 2 of the most picturesque courses in the United States.  (The American Club also provides shuttle service to and from Whistling Straits as well.)  Something to note about this course is that golf carts are not permitted, unless there is a medical reason to use one.  Caddies are provided to carry bags and can offer valuable expertise when navigating this course.

Can you say “unpredictable”?  Both The Straits Course and The Irish Course are positioned directly along the shore of Lake Michigan, so not only is it beautiful, but the weather can be very unpredictable.  Lake Michigan is known for creating its own weather systems and it is no more evident than here.  When playing this course, bring supplies for crazy weather – like a warm golf jacket, hat and gloves, and an umbrella.  Both times we played this course, the weather started out very nice and turned windy and chilly within a period of about 5 minutes.  (The first time, we actually got rained out on the 15^th hole and walked back to the clubhouse in the pouring rain.)  This is not an uncommon occurrence, but don’t let it deter you from playing here.  You don’t want to miss what this course has to offer.

The course itself is visually intimidating and if you get into the long fescue, you could be looking at a really high score.  However, if you focus on your distances (and heed the advice of your caddies), you will be in great shape.  The fairways are not particularly thin, so the average golfer has a lot of area to work with.  Get cute with your game here and you will end up losing a lot of balls or always be in one of the infamous bunkers. (Beware of the giant bunker on the 11^th hole – you’ll know it when you see it.  I’m convinced it sees me coming and turns on a tractor-beam to capture my ball.)

One last quick note regarding the courses at Whistling Straits – if you hear bells, stop and look around.  There is a herd of sheep that live on and roam both courses.  They are used to people and you don’t need to fear them, but they are a force to be reckoned with.  Step to the side and watch them as they jog past.  It’s one of many unique features on these courses.

Of course, this is just an overview of all that Kohler has to offer.  For detailed information on the holes, trouble spots, and additional advice when navigating these courses, please visit http://www.danperry.com/blog/golf-course-reviews/ and scroll to Wisconsin Golf Courses.  You will find photos and valuable insights into each hole.  And for additional information regarding the resort, please visit www.destinationkohler.com – the official website for all things Kohler!

Eagle Ridge is located in Galena, IL, just 20 minutes from Dubuque, IA. As someone who was raised in (and has lived in) several different areas in Illinois, the hilly terrain of Galena is a refreshing change to the flat farmland that so typically describes Illinois.

In my most recent trip to Galena, it was not to review the town, but Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa. Of course, that name would be familiar to any golf fanatic, as it is home to three challenging 18-hole golf courses and one executive 9-hole course. Eagle Ridge is located in the Galena Territory and is made up of 6800 acres of lush hills with the golf courses and villas carved into the landscape.

The main building at Eagle Ridge or “The Inn” is decorated in dark wood and richly colored fabrics that lends itself to a very welcoming and comfortable feeling when you arrive. There are 2 types of rooms at the resort. You can choose to have a room right off of the main Inn or rent a villa.

The villas are furnished, one bedroom apartments that include a washer/dryer and a full kitchen stocked with dishes, silverware, etc in each unit. Our villa was woodsy, comfortable, and clean, however, the bathroom hadn’t been updated in quite a while. The avocado green shower (with non-slip adhesive stickers) was a blast from the past and made the property feel very dated. It wasn’t exactly what you would expect to find at a resort, but on a whole, the accommodations were equivalent to that of a 2 star hotel. On a side note, our villa was below grade (almost like a basement apartment) and had a partially enclosed, outdoor stairwell leading down to it. If I was a woman traveling alone or just traveling with another female, this below grade location would be very creepy and very possibly unsafe. Galena, in general, has a very low crime rate, but I don’t see why I should tempt fate. I would suggest staying at the Inn or requesting a 1st floor villa when making reservations.

The main restaurants at Eagle Ridge are located at the Inn. There is a fine dining restaurant and a casual pizzeria. The fine dining establishment had a nice variety of items on the menu, but from appetizer to dessert, the meal was unimpressive and we were quite disappointed. Most of the food was of mediocre quality and it appeared that more time was spent writing the descriptions of the menu items than on the actual recipes themselves. One redeeming quality was the breakfast buffet that they offered each morning. The quality and variety was more in line with what you would normally find in a resort environment.

Although I am somewhat spoiled when it comes to good pizza because I am from Chicago, the pizzeria had respectable pizza and it was perfect after a long day on the golf course.

As with most golf courses, there were casual dining restaurants in all of the clubhouses. The final restaurant we visited was Spike’s at the General. The atmosphere was pleasant as the restaurant looked out onto the first hole and practice green. Our meal at Spike’s was the best of the trip, however, the quality of the wait staff had something to be desired. When we asked for an extra napkin (we ordered ribs…), the 16 year old waitress offered us the napkin that had been adorning the tray she had been using to serve meals on. Also, the bus boy stacked extra place settings from other tables on the end of our table. If we had been at Denny’s or IHOP, we wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but this was supposed to be a restaurant at a resort. We, by no means, are that particular about our surroundings, but I think by now you see a theme building – these are NOT things that are typically seen at a resort.

Of course I couldn’t go to Eagle Ridge and not go to the spa during our visit. I mean, what kind of review could I possibly offer if I left out information about the spa? Anyway, I arrived 15 minutes prior to my service as requested and the girl at the front desk checked me in and whisked me to the locker room. It was drenched in soothing colors and lush fabrics. I already felt relaxed! Once I changed into my robe, I moved into the dimly lit waiting room. As with most spas, there was cucumber water and tea for us to sip as we listened to soothing sounds of waterfalls and bamboo chimes blowing gently in the wind until… Apparently, the spa was directly under the convention/meeting room area and the peaceful sounds of waterfalls were interrupted by the sounds of banquet catering carts with loose wheels rolling across the floor above us. Surprisingly enough, I was quite amused by this – almost to the point of outright laughter. It was just one more missed opportunity – the opportunity to demonstrate that they truly deserved to be considered a “resort”. Although I feel that noise from the catering carts could have ruined the spa experience for some, the services I received were wonderful and I would recommend the spa to men and women alike.

Even though we enjoyed the challenging and picturesque golf courses at Eagle Ridge, I hesitate to call it a “resort”. Most resorts pride themselves on taking care of the little things – Eagle Ridge fell short in so many areas that I can only recommend it for the golf and the spa. On a scale from 1-10, I would have to give Eagle Ridge Resort an overall score of 5.

If you are a golf fanatic like me and want to make the trip, my suggestion would be to stay at a bed and breakfast nearby and drive to the resort. There are many quaint bed and breakfast establishments within a 10-15 minute car ride that offer all of the comforts of home, along with a lovely, hot, homemade breakfast to help you start the day out right. On the way back to your room after golf, stop in downtown Galena for a bite to eat – You’ll be glad you did!

Barkley’s Swing – Watch It While You Can

I know that most of the golf world is talking about Tiger’s triumphant return to the links this week (and I’m certainly happy to see him), but I’m going to go out on a limb and talk about something else….

A couple of years ago, I was watching a charity golf event on TV and the participants were made up of the usual folks – celebrities, athletes, and such.  Being a fan of that sort of event, I settled in with a drink in hand and the cat in my lap and I have to say that I was not prepared for what I was about to witness.   Samuel L. Jackson teed off beautifully as usual, and on this day, he was accompanied by basketball great, Charles Barkley.

Charles leaned over, teed up his ball, and lined up like a pro.  A few seconds went by and there it was.  The most distinctive, seizure-inducing swing I’ve ever seen.  It was like no other… breathtaking… even beautiful in a grotesque sort of way, like going to the circus just for the freak show.  It was unsettling, but I just couldn’t turn away!

For the rest of the event, I didn’t care about all of the celebrities showing off their golf savvy.  All I wanted to do was watch Charles play.  The cat didn’t quite share my enthusiasm (he jumped down and left the room) and I think it may have had something to do with the fact that I kept yelling at the TV when the cameraman would focus on the other golfers.

So, as I mentioned, it’s been a couple of years since I witnessed the glorious phenomena that is Charles Barkely’s swing and I had all but forgotten it until the other day.   I was innocently watching the Golf Channel (as I have been known to do) and during a commercial break, I saw an ad for The Haney Project (http://www.thegolfchannel.com/haneybarkley/) and I felt that same unsettling feeling once again.  I knew immediately that this show was destined to be MY American Idol. (Please do not attempt to contact me between 8:00 and 9:00pm CST for the next several Mondays – you know where I’ll be.)  Since Mr. Barkley will be in the very capable hands of Tiger’s swing coach, the swing that I bizarrely fell in love with is undoubtedly not long for this world.  And I will wear black on the day that his breathtaking swing fades into oblivion.