Lawsonia Woodlands (Green Lake, WI)

ramylson · October 7, 2008

pics/review.

While a lot of the awards and credit surrounding Lawsonia typically involves the Links Course, the Woodlands course usually gets more play. Vastly different than the Links Course, it still plays every bit as hard. While the Links course is characterized by a true links design from the Golden Era of course design, the Woodlands is a modern target course.

Designed by Joe Lee and Rocky Roquemore, they brought a stout design pedigree as Roquemore co-designed three courses at Disney World, Doral's Blue Monster, and Cog Hill's Dubs Dread. The initial nine opened in 1983, followed by second nine in 1991. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to determine which came first after playing the whole 18. The design flows very well from hole to hole.

Built on the banks of Green Lake, and partially through a ninety year old plus limestone quarry, there are more than enough reasons to make-sure that you're accurate in your shots. Not only are the fairways surrounded by old growth forest, elevation changes tied with in with water and bunkers will make you think about proper club selection throughout your round. The greens will roll quick and true, with enough slope to make sure that you are constantly trying to keep yourself in position beneath the hole.

The only negatives I have on this course would be the range and a partial sale in 2006 which will cause home to be built around various holes. The range itself is shared with the Links Course, and is built into a hill. As a result, you don't get to see distance of the shot, or hit to specific targets, only the ball flight. Rumor is that it'll be updated soon, but nothing definitive. As for the homes, you can already see the updates associated with running access around the course. Along with the typical signs in lots that will eventually be filled with a homestead. It's a shame, as this course really removes you from any form of civilization as you play through the woods. Time will only tell home much of an impact it was end up having on the course.

In the end, like the Links, the course is a must play while you're in the area. Keep in mind, Lawsonia usually runs a $100 deal in the summer which allows you to play both courses with cart. Given the quality of the design, the level the grounds are maintained, and overall experience, it's something that should not be missed.

Rating/Slope:
Blue - 71.9/132
White - 70.1/128
Gold - (M) 68.6/125; (W) 74.0/127
Red - 70.5/120

#1 - 510/492/395/395 (par 5; hcp 3)

#2 - 341/329/315/315 (par 4; hcp9)

#3 - 168/156/156/105 (par 3; hcp 17)

#4 - 383/356/356/247 (par 4; hcp 13)

#5 - 405/390/375/295 (par 4; hcp 7)

#6 - 178/160/145/105 (par 3; hcp 15)

#7 - 527/495/179/428 (par 5; hcp 1)

#8 - 402/377/338/262 (par 4; hcp 5)

#9 394/367/349/295 (par 4; hcp 11)

#10 - 336/319/319/269 (par 4; hcp 14)

#11 - 495/471/460/402 (par 5; hcp 2)

#12 - 356/337/330/267 (par 4; hcp 12)

#13 - 183/162/145/145 (par 3; hcp 18)