Getting To Know: Spring Valley Country Club

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with David Wagner who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
Originally constructed in the 1920's and open for play in 1926, Spring Valley CC (originally named "Our Country Club") is one of the oldest in Southeast Wisconsin. Located just south of Salem WI and just north of Antioch, IL on route 83 it is a local favorite that, weather permitting, provides year round golf to the community.

Though not Long at 6354 yards by modern standards, this par 70 course, thanks to the brilliant design of renowned architects, Langford and Moreau, offers a challenge to golfers of all skill levels. Purposely designed so the five par 3's of various lengths, the three par5's, the long par 4's and the drivable par 4 14th hole force even the single digit handicapper to use every club in the bag.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
The course architects, Langford and Moreau, built Spring Valley CC just before building what is believed to be their crowning achievement, Lawsonia CC, near Green Lake WI. Anyone who has played Lawsonia, ranked in the Top 100 public courses in the U.S. can see the similarities. Langford and Moreau builders of over 200 courses, mostly throughout the Midwest, believed that par should be protected near the green. Toward that end, the fairways are generous, the greens are multi-layered and guarded by steep grass faced bunkers. Though the original plan called for 65 sand bunkers, the course's first owner chose to leave them grass filled which has been honored to this day by the family that has owned the course since 1959.

Chicago architect, David Esler, said Spring Valley CC is like finding a vintage Porsche left in a barn untouched, the Langford and Moreau design has remained unaltered and is one of the best golf values in SE Wisconsin.

In addition to staying true to the original course design, Spring Valley CC has retained a retro charm, not only on the course but within the clubhouse and the pro shop, dating back to the time when your parents were avid golfers.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Often referred to as a 'Scramblers Paradise', Spring Valley CC offers many holes that provide a 'risk and reward' element to your round. Cautious players, fearing the steep green side grass bunkers, play to the fronts of many of the greens and bail out to safe areas near some of the challenging Par 3s. The more adventurous golfer accepts the challenge of the steep bunkers, attacking the flags on the undulating greens, testing their abilities to reach the Par 5s and the drivable Par 4 14th.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Though Spring Valley CC has hosted its share of local tournaments it is not a Championship level course. Rather, it is a course where future champion golfers have grown up playing. The Wagner's, owners since 1959, have traditionally encouraged junior and family play and hosted local high school teams for practice and competitions. As a result, golfers of local, state and even national renown have started their golfing careers at Spring Valley CC.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
Ask a dozen members and you are likely to get a dozen different responses. The Par 3s get the most acclaim, particularly the 7th. Typically played at 155 yards with Champion tees stretching to 180 yards it is not the longest par 3 on the course, but demands the most attention. The tee is at the same elevation as the green but you are faced with a steep valley the entire length of the hole, a deep, virtually unplayable waste area short left rises to an elevated green where errant tee shots are likely to roll off left into a water hazard and long shots are faced with a returning flop shot to a green that steeply runs away. The course architects have provided a flat, bail out area to the right of the green for the less adventurous. The hole runs west to east and, on windy days, can play as much as a 2 or 3 club difference. From the tees, the 7th and the Par 3 5th, which is over water, are the two most photographed holes on the course.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
The 12th and the 14th share the honor as my favorites. The 12th is a reachable, dog leg left par 5 that is actually birdied more often by laying up since missing long or right force extremely difficult up and downs. The 14th is a drivable par 4 with a stand of silver maples immediately to the right of the green that forces a golfer with an errant tee shot to play a second from under low branches and over green side mounds that is exceedingly challenging. If you are a long and straight those two holes provide excellent eagle opportunities. In fact, every 2 or 3 years someone aces the par 4 14th hole.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
The drinks are all reasonable priced. The homemade soups and sandwiches are also reasonable priced and delicious. The best thing about the 19th hole is having a sandwich and drink out on the shaded veranda that overlooks the 9th and 18th green and the 10th tee. Perfect spot to watch people finish their round or make the turn.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 70
Yardage: 6451
Slope: 70.1
Rating: 119

More Information
Spring Valley Country Club
23913 Wilmot Road
Salem, WI 53168
262-862-2626
www.springvalleyccgolf.com