Deep Dive into Lake Arrowhead's Lakes Course
The Lakes at Lake Arrowhead — beautiful modern Central Wisconsin golf steps from Sand Valley. Designed by Ken Killian and opened in 1998 (16 years after the Pines), the Lakes is the more challenging of the two at Lake Arrowhead: tree-lined fairways, undulating greens, strategic bunkering, subtle elevation changes, and seven significant ponds throughout its modern design.
Tipped out at 7,015 yards with a slope of 140 and rating of 74.8 from the black tees, the course has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most challenging in Central Wisconsin — an integral mainstay on Wisconsin's list of regular state tournament venues for over four decades.
With 36 holes, the club regularly hosts the State Match Play Championship, the Wisconsin PGA Junior Invitational, and the Pater Filius (the WSGA's most well-attended event), while still keeping 18 available for daily and member play. The Lakes is challenging but fair, beautifully maintained, and picturesque throughout — and, like the Pines, quite under-rated across the Wisconsin golf scene.
The Sand Valley Golf Experience
Sand Valley history: Sand Valley Resort is owned by Mike Keiser, the visionary behind Bandon Dunes. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed the first course, Sand Valley, opened in 2017. Mammoth Dunes (David McLay-Kidd) opened in 2018, as did The Sandbox, a 17-hole short course by Coore/Crenshaw. The Lido opened in 2023 with its recreation of a C.B. MacDonald design, and Sedge Valley opened in 2024.
What sold Mr. Keiser on rural Wisconsin? It's like a chunk of South Carolina — complete with sand dunes — was cut from the Earth and dropped in the heartland. As you near the property the landscape is flat with tall pines, but driving onto the resort transports you to something completely unique. Sand Valley offers a full-service clubhouse and multiple dining choices for any group.
Explore the Rome, Wisconsin Area: Beyond Golf
Town of Rome: A Central Wisconsin Gem
The Town of Rome (Adams County) is an ideal centrally-located destination for outdoor recreation — 100 miles north of Madison and 200 miles east of the Twin Cities — home to seven world-class golf courses within 3 miles. Beyond golf there's a growing trail system for hiking, biking, fat-tire biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, plus snowmobiling and ATV/UTV trails open year-round.
Rome is also home to Dyracuse Recreational Park (the state's largest motorcycle/ATV/UTV park) and the Wisconsin Trapshooting Association's Homegrounds. The Rome Town Center offers Papa Bear's Mini Golf, a splash pad, and a new park with a bandshell and basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts. And the lakes! Rome is home to the Tri-Lakes — Camelot, Sherwood, and Arrowhead — with its western boundary on Lake Petenwell, the 2nd largest lake in Wisconsin.
Nekoosa & Ho-Chunk Casino
Nekoosa — a city of ~2,500 on the beautiful Wisconsin River, with friendly businesses, a spectacular muraled main street, and Riverside Park for picnics. Nekoosa is the northern gateway to the large Petenwell Lake resort area, with a boat landing on Point Basse Avenue. Visit in fall for the Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest.
Ho-Chunk Casino Nekoosa — from the Ho-Chunk word for "running water." Opened October 14, 1993, the casino offers over 400 slot machines, a full-service bar, and a points-based Rewards Club redeemable across all six Ho-Chunk Nation gaming facilities.
Town of Armenia — founded in 1858 in the northernmost part of Juneau County, bounded by Wood County and the Wisconsin River/Petenwell Lake, believed named for a group of immigrants from Armenia.
Adams County — established 1848 and organized 1853, settled by "Yankee" farmers from upstate New York during the early 1800s westward expansion.
Juneau County — established 1857 from lands west of the Wisconsin River, with its county seat at Mauston, named after Milwaukee legislator Solomon Juneau.
The Lakes
Lake Petenwell — the 2nd largest lake in Wisconsin, a man-made lake covering over 23,000 acres next to Castle Rock Lake. Great for water sports, sailing, and fishing (panfish, walleye, musky, bass, northern pike, sturgeon, and catfish), with restaurants, a community theatre, golf, and two casinos nearby.
Castle Rock Lake — the fourth largest in the state with over 60 miles of shoreline, perfect for anglers, boaters, and lake-life lovers. Featured on Discover Wisconsin (full episode on YouTube).
Wisconsin River Power Company (WRPCO) — FERC Hydroelectric Project #1984 comprises the Petenwell and Castle Rock Reservoirs (dams completed in the late 1940s/early 1950s), spanning 59,000 acres with ~219 miles of shoreline.
