REVIEW: Horseshoe Bay Golf Course

Get Lucky Playing This Door County Gem
Door County is known as one of top vacation destinations in WI.  It is a top destination in the summer for rest and relaxation.  It has natural beauty with water and both sides of the peninsula.  If you are like me, your vacation must include golf.  So if golf and Door County collide, Horseshoe Bay is your best choice to enjoy your vacation with a great round of golf.  If you are in the area maybe you can get lucky to play this Door County Gem. 
Horseshoe Bay is a private course, but does allow ample outside play opportunities.  The day before I played, they hosted a large corporate event  which opened the course up for many non-members or if you ask you club pro to arrange play, they will most likely accommodate that request.  While the fact that it is private restricts access, when you do get lucky enough to play you, you will appreciate the conditions and the “course to yourself” feel of your round.
 

Horseshoe Bay is located about 1/2 north of Sturgeon Bay and is situated high above the Green Bay, offering views of the water from the club house and a couple holes.  It has 9 holes on one side of the road and 9 on the other side.  It is set in a luxury home development, but the houses didn’t intrude on the course as far as play or views were concerned.  The barn-like pro shop has a large range just steps away.  Once their excellent staff gets you ready to do, away they send you out to the 1st tee.  As you meander around the first 9 holes, you’ll feel secluded and often playing through a variety of wooded and open holes.  Tee to green is perfectly manicured bent grass turf.  The greens have good undulation, but nothing severe or unfair.  There are strategic bunkers on just about every hole and a few water features that certainly come into play.  The 2nd, 8th and 9th are some of the more memorable holes on the front side.  The short par 4 dogleg right with water green side is a really pretty, yet intimidating hole.  The closing holes are long, tree lined and have a different approached depending on your tee shots and which fairway path you choose.

The back-nine crosses the road  to a more hilly terrain.  The feel of the course doesn’t change, but things start to go up and down a little more.  The 11th, 13th and 18th hole really stick out in my mind.  The 11th holes is a straight uphill par 4 that has a tempting bunker to try and drive it over for a short approach.  The 15th is a massive downhill par 5 that has a split fairway and a really interesting approach area.  The 18th is another big par 5 that doglegs right and finishes downhill with a really cool view of the water.

If you are lucky enough arrange a round of golf at Horseshoe Bay, you will really enjoy this Door County Gem.  It has excellent conditions, a wonderful staff and has that “course-to-yourself” feel during your round.  The course plays fair with both challenges and reward for well hit shots.

For more information: www.horseshoebaygolfclub.net

Quick Hits
+Excellent course design
+Great shot value
+Outstanding conditions
+”Course to yourself” feel
+Friendly staff

–Private course