Alpine Valley Golf Resort

August 3, 2021 admin

Location: Elkhorn
Tees: Blue, White, Red
Holes: 27
- Summit (Par 36) – 3,126 yards (34.7)
- Meadows (Par 36) – 2,981 yards (35.5)
- Sugar Creek (Par 35) – 2,892 yards (34.6)
Opened: 1964
Architect: Arthur Johnson
Category: Local Value
Weekday Rate: $47
Favorite Hole: #8 Summit

Alpine Valley Golf Course is built into the rolling hills and valleys that are shadowed by the 388 foot summit of the ski hill. The resort also has an amphitheater, mountain biking trails, and many other amenities. They have hosted a wide range of artists such as Aerosmith, Grateful Dead, Coldplay, and of course Jimmy Buffet many times. The ski resort on property attracts skiers and snowboarders from across the Midwest every winter, since there is a hill for every skill level. The ski lodge and adjacent pro shop have a nordic ski lodge look, which provides a unique vibe. when you are golfing there in the summer. The three nines are very different, with elevation and landscape anomalies in each. The “Sugar Creek” nine follows the creek through the relatively flat area at the lowest point on property. With a course rating of 34.6 and par 35, this course has just enough water to make the 2900 yard length a little tougher. Since there are 27 holes at Alpine Valley, this course is the 9 hole course and the Summit/Meadows make up the 18. Arthur Johnson designed Alpine Valley, as well as many other resort courses throughout the state. The bunker styling and placement was surprising, as there were many intermediate bunkers that were not fairway or greenside. There are many great dogleg holes on the Summit course that can challenge a golfer of any skill level. Most notably is #8 which has a 40 foot drop from tee to fairway. An aggressive tee shot can leave you a wedge into the par 5, but your drive could get caught up in the tree line on the right, or roll through the fairway. The following hole is a 150 yard par 3 from the tips with another significant elevation change: 60 feet downhill. From the furthest back tee box, which was not in play when we visited, the tee shot is blind. The meadows course transitions between the summit and the sugar creek with holes along the woods and also in the valley. Alpine Valley Golf Course is not kept as well as most of the courses in Lake Geneva, but it is a must see in the area for the elevation changes and well-designed layout. One of our highlights was the Hacker’s Hut where we stopped for a snack. (Shown below)