The ghosts of the game’s greatest architects roam these fairways, walk- ing in whispers among the towering pines, sharing their secrets in the streams and greens. Their spirit is still alive here, determined to tempt you, to test you, and transport you to another place and time.
The Castle Course at Northern Bay Resort is not simply a tribute course to the game’s greatest architects, but a tribute to the game itself. The Castle Course is a “replica” course and a unique experience all its own.
As the Midwest’s only replica course, The Castle is “built” by the likes of Alister MacKenzie, Bobby Jones, Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones and the living legend named Pete Dye.
Yet somehow, the game’s greatest architects not only work well together here, but they “play” well together, too, blending perfectly with the “up north” feel of the resort’s luscious landscape. The result is a course — with seven homage holes based on Augusta National, Oakland Hills, Oakmont, Firestone, TPC at Sawgrass and Bay Hill — that combine together into an unforgettable golf experience. The course got a little help from modern-day architect Matt Mootz, whose 11 original holes stand up well on their own merit.
“There’s no doubt about it,” explains the Castle Course Head Golf Professional Brad Leach. “We coin ourselves as a replica course, but there’s nothing gimmicky about it. It’s a serious golf course.”
The Castle Course is just one of the many jewels in the crown at Northern Bay Resort. The away-from-it-all condominium resort rests on the shores of Castle Rock Lake, a large all-sports playground 30 miles north of the Wisconsin Dells. Naturally, there are ample boat, kayak and jet ski rentals, fishing excursions and of course, golf.
“It’s a great place to get away from the office for the weekend, to come up with your family or your buddies,” Leach said. “It’s impossible not to have a good time.”
The good times are certainly easy to find, especially while on the 7,223 glorious green yards of the Castle Course.
Defending the Castle
It hasn’t always been that way for the Castle Course, which has seen a bit of a rocky road since it opened to rave reviews in 2006. Golf Digest named the Castle Course in the Top Ten New Courses for 2007, right before the tourism industry went south along with the stock market.
The resort filed for bankruptcy in 2010, as the Castle found itself in dire financial straits. Managing partner Darrel Malek gathered a group of investors to buy Northern Bay later that year, saving it from falling into antiquity.
“I saw the unique nature of the area and the amenities,” Malek explained. “The lake, the golf course … and it’s much more quiet than the Dells for peo- ple to get away to. To my knowledge, it’s the only place like it in the country.”
Malek got involved with the resort when he bought his condo there in 2007 (“I think I bought the last full-price condo before the market dropped,” he laughed), and has helped roll out the welcome mat for families and friends ever since.
“We saw the unique nature of the area, but also the nature of the people,” he said. “The condo owners and residents have created much more of a community feel here, and they tell their friends, and they tell their friends. That’s why we’re successful.”
Because of Malek’s efforts the Castle Course still stands tall, and Northern Bay has become what it is: a great getaway for families, friends, and golfers seeking a unique experience, as Malek puts it, “a million miles from ordinary.”
That’s apparent from the first tee. The first few holes of the Castle Course wind their way through the resort’s 30-plus condominium units, each with their own decks or patios, echoing that communal feeling — and often including a “gallery.”
So the tee shot of the otherwise straightforward, 345-yard, par-4 first hole can be a bit more tense than usual, as the eyes of resort guests gaze upon you.
The course may not be gimmicky, but it’s delightfully quirky at times. That includes beautiful, back-to-back par-3s at the second and third holes. The second is a 223-yard par-3 over a small lake, while the wonderful, 194-yard third offers the first of the Castle Course’s replica holes. What better way to begin than with Augusta National? This incredible par-3 will bring back echoes of Tiger Woods’ famous cross-green chip on the 16th hole at Augusta, which spurred him to his 2005 Masters victory. You’ll get a greater appreciation for that shot when you see the severely back-to-front sloping green.
It’s just you and your thoughts at the 480-yard, par-4 fourth hole, and you’ll need the extra concentration. This is a replica of the No. 5 hole at Oakland Hills, the course Ben Hogan so famously called “The Monster.” Not surprisingly, the Castle Course’s version is the No. 1-handicap hole on the course. It requires a hammered drive down the center, followed by an accurate approach over a hazard to the large green, to “bring the Monster to its knees,” as Hogan said after his 1951 U.S. Open victory there.
You’ll find another great replica at the gargantuan, 625-yard, par-5 sixth, patterned after Firestone Country Club’s 16th hole. It’s a true three-shot par-five, with the approach guarded by a pond fronting the small green.
After the Castle Course originals at the par-4 seventh, the excellent, 543-yard eighth, you’ll end the front on a high note with the stunning 448-yard ninth.
But you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Saving the Best For last
As stellar as the front nine certainly is, the back’s even better — and kicks off with a bang.
The 146-yard 10th hole is a replica of what is probably the most recognizable hole in golf — the famed 17th at the TPC at Sawgrass. The island green shares a large lake with the 18th hole, and pro- vides some entertainment and drama for those staying for dinner or a post-round drink on the clubhouse deck.
As great as the fun-factor is on the 10th, the fantastic, 510-yard, par-5 11th is nothing short of spectacular. After all, it’s a replica of what is arguably the greatest golf hole ever built — the 13th hole at Augusta National. And while Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie lacked the modern technology to move the earth, instead using the natural contours of the land (and of course, Rae’s Creek), the Castle Course benefits from bulldozers to replicate it beautifully, complete with contours, creek, and even azaleas blooming in the background around the green.
At the 433-yard, par-4 12th, you’ll be transported from Magnolia Lane to the suburbs of Pittsburgh, praying for help against the church-pew bunkers of the replica of Oakmont Country Club’s third hole.
The Castle Course is all original nearly the remainder of the way (see if you notice a difference). The original architect Matt Mootz did a superb job of blending the holes into the northern Wisconsin landscape. The dogleg-left, 401-yard 13th is a true highlight (hit the gap left of the pine and you’ll be sitting pretty).
“My favorite hole is 13,” Malek admitted. “It’s not a replica hole, but it’s every bit as good. The original holes really stand on their own here.”
Another terrific Castle Course original is the 167-yard, par-3 17th, beautifully framed by pines, guarded by bunkers and a towering pine to the right of the deep green. It’s a great one-shotter, and maybe your last good chance at birdie.
The Castle Course offers its share of thrills, but the 18th is simply sensational, and as fine a finishing hole as you’ll find. A replica of Bay Hill’s famous finisher, this 462-yard brute requires a precise drive to a narrow neck of fairway, followed by an approach to a nearly peninsula green, guarded by water in front and bunkers behind. It’s a stellar finish, and a great way to end a round worth savoring.
Uncovering a Hidden Gem
While Northern Bay Resort feels off the beaten path, it’s still just a half-hour north from the Wisconsin Dells.
“Our reach is growing,” Leach said. “It’s a newer place, we opened in 2006, and people are finding out that this is a hidden gem. It’s not just for golfers.”
The resort knows the Castle Course is its crown jewel, the kind of course that attracts visitors all on its own.
“It’s a destination golf course,” Leach explains. “For most people, they’re not going to get a chance to head down and play Sawgrass, or Augusta. This gives them a taste of that.”
While it’s not an entirely original recipe, the Castle Course at Northern Bay is a truly unique taste, and one that’s most certainly satisfying.
Please visit www.northernbayresort.com for more information.
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