When the Sand Valley resort’s first golf course opened in the spring of 2017, owners Michael and Chris Keiser—sons of Bandon Dunes founder Mike Keiser—had already forged ahead with their next projects on the sandy, rolling Wisconsin property. By the end of the summer, two new courses had been grassed in: David McLay Kidd’s Mammoth Dunes and Coore & Crenshaw’s Sandbox. The two designs are a study in contrasts: whereas Mammoth Dunes’ 18 regulation holes sprawl over 500 acres of spectacular ridges and valleys, the Sandbox’s 17 par 3s occupy a parcel of 25 acres so flat that the Keisers had previously considered making it a driving range. In 2018, the debut year of both courses, Mammoth Dunes received more attention and accolades from the press, but over time the Sandbox has grown in stature, and many now consider it the best course at the resort.
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Take Note…
Coore & Crenshaw & Craig. While the Sandbox is a Coore & Crenshaw design, and one where both Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw spent a great deal of time, everyone involved with the project is quick to acknowledge associate Jim Craig’s critical role in not only the construction phase but also the design of the course. It was Craig who came up with the Sandbox’s initial routing (Coore provided edits) and who spent the most hours on site, often working literally into the night.
Why 17? At the outset of the Sandbox project, the Keiser brothers had one request: that the course have neither nine nor 18 holes. Any other number would be acceptable. In the end, Craig and Coore’s routing, which describes a lopsided, squiggly figure-eight across the property, simply worked best with 17 holes.
Peek-a-boo. Coore & Crenshaw excel at creating meaningful sightlines across their courses. From high-traffic areas—tees, landing areas, greens—you can almost always look at something interesting, whether a vista or another hole. Next time you find yourself on the first tee at the Sandbox, count the greens you can see. The number will be 12 or 13—not because there are no trees on the property, but because Coore & Crenshaw created a series of alleyways that offer glimpses of the holes ahead.
