Sand Valley Opens Sixth Course, Commons
Alex Elias
Brandon Carter
Opening today, Commons—the first solo design by architect Jim Craig, a longtime associate of Coore & Crenshaw—marks the latest addition to Sand Valley’s growing collection of golf courses, joining Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Lido, Sedge Valley, and the Sandbox, a 17-hole short course.
A 12-hole course inspired by the “common ground” courses and village greens of the British Isles, Commons features a double green (Nos. 2 and 4) and a routing with numerous crossings and connections.
“Commons is really a dream come true for me,” said Craig. “Michael and I worked on so many ideas, and he gave me so much freedom to allow the course to evolve the way it did. It’s been a thrill to see people out enjoying it. That’s the goal—for golfers to have fun and feel the spirit of the game. And, of course, Michael gave all of us a true gift when he opened the peninsula.”
The peninsula allowed Craig to integrate three closing holes playing along the shores of Luna Lake—a short Par-4, a Redan Par-3, and an uphill Par-4.
“I’ve driven over the Wisconsin River hundreds of times,” said Michael Keiser, Sand Valley developer and co-owner. “And I’ve always been fascinated by the sand bars and always thought, ‘there should be golf there.’ I would go out and look at that peninsula, and I couldn’t get the image of golf out of my mind. There’s so much mystery and beauty in the way the water wraps around the dunes, with the woods in the background.”
Serving as a key connector between the original resort hub and the new Sedge Village community, Commons creates a lively atmosphere where walkers, families, and guests naturally encounter the course as they move around the property.
“I’ve always loved places where golf is simply a part of community life,” Michael Keiser says. “At Saint Andrews, North Berwick, and so many other villages where golf took hold, the game exists alongside walking paths and homes. The links are gathering places and sites for everyday activities. Commons was our attempt to create that feeling at Sand Valley—a place to play and to gather.”
Looking ahead, Sand Valley plans to introduce the Commons Hamlet, an upcoming social hub tucked along the banks of the 40-acre Luna Lake, where guests can gather before a round, linger afterward, or simply enjoy the atmosphere. Plans include outdoor seating, food and retail trucks, expansive lake views, and a walkable pathway connecting directly to the Commons starting house.
