June 16, 2018
Jon: 95
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Whistling Straits, Straits Course
The Straits Course at Whistling Straits is Pete Dye's 1998 links-style course along about two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline in Wisconsin. It has hosted three PGA Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup, which the U.S. won 19 to 9. The Perry Bros played it on June 16, 2018; Jon's score was 95.
Course facts
- Location
- Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Access
- Resort (Destination Kohler); walking only, caddies recommended
- Architect
- Pete Dye
- Opened
- 1998
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,790 from the Black tees (rating 77.2, slope 152)
- Big events
- PGA Championship (2004, 2010, 2015); 2007 U.S. Senior Open; 2021 Ryder Cup (the 2020 matches)
Our round at Whistling Straits
About Whistling Straits
Pete Dye built the Straits on flat land that was once an Army anti-aircraft training base, moving enough earth to give it the look of an Irish links. It is walking only, with caddies recommended.
Vijay Singh (2004), Martin Kaymer (2010) and Jason Day (2015) won PGA Championships here. In 2010 Dustin Johnson grounded his club in what looked like trampled sand on the 72nd hole, but every sandy area on the course was being played as a bunker, and the two-shot penalty knocked him out of the playoff. Steve Stricker's U.S. team won the Ryder Cup here in 2021.
What stands out
- About two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.
- A famously uncountable number of bunkers: "about 1,000" is the usual figure, one count reached 967, and nobody really knows.
- A flock of Scottish Blackface sheep roams the property.
Quick answers
Can the public play Whistling Straits?
Yes. The Straits Course is a resort course at Destination Kohler. It is walking only, and caddies are recommended.
How many bunkers are at Whistling Straits?
The usual figure is about 1,000, but there is no official count; one count found 967.
What tournaments has Whistling Straits hosted?
The PGA Championship in 2004, 2010 and 2015, the 2007 U.S. Senior Open, and the 2021 Ryder Cup.
Sources: Destination Kohler: the Straits · Wikipedia: Whistling Straits