NEWS FEATURE

Northern Bay to offer
Midwest golfers
newest 'replica' course

By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor

(June 1, 2004) -- You may not actually feel the seabreeze blowing in off the Atlantic Ocean, but, just like the pros, Midwest golfers will soon have a chance to see what it's like to try and hit the island green at TPC's Stadium Course at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Fla.

The developers of the Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina, just north of the Wisconsin Dells, are advertising the course as the only replica and "inspired by" course in the Midwest, although there also is the replica Legends of Bensenville in the Chicago area.

Northern Bay will feature nine replica holes and nine "inspired-by" holes, scattered throughout the course, including the third hole at Pinehurst No. 2, Pebble Beach's No. 1, Augusta National's No. 16 and the 17th island hole at TPC Sawgrass.

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Replica courses are becoming more popular, but not without bringing controversy with them. Golf purists, particularly the course architects, cringe at the idea of copying the masters, while many everyday golfers like the idea of fantasizing about playing the world's top holes.

Also, in some cases, the "inspired by" holes are too similar to "inspired by" movie plots.

Other replica courses include Tour 18 in Dallas and Houston, Royal Links in Las Vegas, the Donald Ross Memorial Course in Michigan, the Golden Ocala Country Club in Florida, World Tour Golf Links in Myrtle beach and Renditions in Maryland, which duplicates holes from the "Grand Slam," plus the 17th hole at TPC.

Replica holes at Northern Bay are: No. 1 is a replica of Pinehurst No. 2's third hole; No. 3 is a replica of Augusta National's 16th; No. 4 is a replica of the fifth hole at Oakland Hills South Course; No. 5 is a replica of first hole at Pebble Beach; No. 6 is a replica of Firestone County Club's 16th hole; No. 10 is a replica of the 17th island hole at TPC Stadium Course at Sawgrass; No. 11 is Augusta National's 13th hole; No. 12 is a replica of Oakmont County Club's 3rd hole and No. 18 is a replica of Bay Hill's 18th hole.

The "inspired by" holes have not been finalized yet.

Wadsworth Golf will complete the multimillion dollar 18-hole course. Wadsworth has worked with Jack Nicklaus, Arthur Hills, Byron Nelson, and Tour 18, a collaboration of replicas in Houston.

The resort is scheduled to be completed in early 2005, and has plans to host regional and national tournaments. The resort, set on 270 acres on Castle Rock Lake, said it is the only combination golf and yachting community in Wisconsin.

Northern Bay offers condominiums and single family lots, now under construction. The resort recently received preliminary approval for a 120-room hotel, 35,000 square-foot water park and conference center.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.