Sedge Valley - Opening Day
One week ago today, we stepped up to the first tee at the newest course at the Sand Valley Golf Resort: Sedge Valley. I later learned that 8,000 people called when the tee sheet opened up for July 1st, if that gives any sense of the immense interest in all things Dream Golf.
Having played the other tracks at Sand Valley, all of which rank as some of my most cherished golfing experiences, the bar was admittedly high for Sedge.
While this is far from a comprehensive review, here are some bullet point observations.
The Sedge Valley fox logo is perfect. When I asked my six year old Rocky what tattoo he would get when he’s older, he plainly said the fox. It’s already infiltrated him.
The new Sedge pro shop, true to form, is simple and beautiful. After excercising some major self control, I walked away with a leather scorecard holder emblazoned with the aforementioned fox.
At the first tee, we were greeted with an opening day ball mark. Again, true to Sand Valley form, the hospitality and kindness permeates the place.
As a group, we managed through the first couple of holes with few surprises. And then we met hole #3. The blind approach had us all thinking the green was actually 50 yards to the right of where it actually sits. We later saw a black and yellow target set at the top of the forest behind the green serving as a target line. Also, we didn’t hire a caddy so the joke is on us. From that point forward, the personality of Sedge felt activated and alive.
The greens are diabolical without being gimmicky, and the pins could absolutely be positioned to ruin your day. Perhaps because it was opening day, the placements were challenging but fair.
I expected the entire course to feel more enclosed and narrow than it does. The sense of expansiveness and grandeur is akin to the other courses on property, though perhaps with a few more tree-lined fairways. In many ways, the echoes of Mammoth and Sand Valley ring through it, just on a slightly shorter routing. Though it’s a Par 68, there is still plenty of length out there and you will definitely get your steps in.
On the front 9, I erred on the side of caution, opting for hybrid (Lazrus 5 hybrid. no big deal) off the tee and carded a +6, 39. Most of the time hybrid off the tee wasn’t a bad move, but it definitely created some even tougher approach shots, many of which are blind; plus there’s really no telling what awaits you on the green.
On the back 9, I decided to let the driver fly a bit more (Tour Edge Exotic, demo. no big deal) but played approaches more to the center of the greens. I finished the back with a +3, 38, and a +9, 77 overall.
Worth noting: there are $1 pizza pockets on the course. Nothing further needs to be said about this.
Was I wearing Good Lion everything out there? Yes and you should be too.
The tee shot on #18 was my favorite. The scale is wild and feels like you’ve wandered onto the pages of Alice in Wonderland. Whether one aims for the elevated right fairway above a hillside bunker dropping to the left fairway 30’ below, will dramatically affect how one approaches the crescent-moon shaped green. Tom Doak is a wizard.
Anyone who loves golf should be so grateful for everything the Keiser family has given, and continues to give, to the game.
In sum, it would be hard to say that Sedge is the far-and-away crown jewel of the Sand Valley resort like many have suggested. The Sedge-hype is certainly deserved and it will only get better with each season, however, with every course at the property being world-class, distancing itself from the pack would be a tall order for any new offering.
The mystique, history and overall experience of Lido will make it hard to unseat and pound for pound, Mammoth Dunes might be the most fun 18-hole round of golf in existence.
That said, Sedge is a total delight and presents an incredible amount of the enjoyable risk/reward shots you hope to have in a round. It is distinct while maintaining the flavor and aura of the rest of the portfolio. My Wisconsin-golf-heart swells with pride and gratitude for such a gift of a course and resort. Maybe our whole family will get fox tattoos one day.
