I subscribe to The Golfers Journal and am a premium member. They host about 20 or so events every year at various clubs around the country, many at private courses and some at resorts like SV. After 2 years of putting my name in for events I finally got picked! Get to play a round at each course including the short course; meals on site and lodging. I gotta pay of course but really didn't see this as a possibility since I don't have a big group I play with. Now I just have to wait 6 months.

For anyone who has been, I'll be flying out of Houston. Is Milwaukee the best bet? I saw Madison has an airport but didn't see any direct flights in my quick search yesterday. I'd prefer non-stop since I'll have my clubs with me.

We did their Summer Solstice event in 2023 and had a blast. Mammoth and Sand Valley courses and the service at the resort is top notch.

I'm from Houston but went to Dallas the day before and flew up with a buddy direct to Madison. If you are able to go direct to Madison thats your best bet, otherwise might have to be Milwaukee.

BTW their snack shacks on SV and Mammoth are like $1 for each item so good to load up there

This is good advice.

Being in a major city we get screwed on ticket prices. Flights are often cheaper for people getting on the plane a stop ahead of us from smaller towns like San Antonio, Austin, etc. than for us to fly less miles getting on in Houston.

I'd check flights direct to Madison from both of those and Dallas as well. Might be worth catching one of those business busses or driving your car there before hopping on the plane.

Madison is only like 45 mins closer so might not be time efficient to have to go to Dallas as opposed to fly to Milwaukee and driver a little farther. I only did it since my buddy was in Dallas and we went up a day early to play there before going to SV.

I drove to Sand Valley from Milwaukee, it wasn't a bad drive maybe a little over a couple of hours if I remember, but my flight was free on Southwest with points so that's why I went to Milwaukee. Sand Valley is incredible, you will have a blast.

Milwaukee is going to be the most convenient airport almost certainly.

Sand Valley is incredible. It is probably the best turf I've ever played on. The vibes are incredible. The hospitality is friendly and laid back. We didn't get to play Sedge, but SV, Mammoth, Lido and Sandbox are all A+. Everything I've seen on Sedge certainly says its on the same tier.

It might be an unpopular opinion, but I think taking in the entirety of the experience, I may prefer Sand Valley to Bandon.

I loved it! Sounds dumb, but trust your range finder... there are a lot of shots that look like a 100 yards and their 150+. Also, their are a number of greens, your better off missing left or right than actually being left or right on the green. If caddie says don t miss left. Really, really don t miss left!

Get out of the sand!!!! If you get in, get out, and move on. It's not PGA sand, your not smoking a 5 iron out of it 200 yards. You may get a break, but on avg, just get out.

Played Mammoth twice and Sand Valley twice, I believe I liked Sand Valley best. M78,SV77,M74 SV75. 3 putted 18 twice....

And loved the par 3 17 course, yes there are only 17 holes. Grab a 6 pack and nothing past 125 I dont think. Was a blast!!!!

Most caddies were pretty good. A couple were a little stuffy.

Make sure to empty your bag and bring a carry bag, or buy one off facebook for a week, then sell it. They carry 2 bags at once, and will put your stuff in basically a sock if your bag is to big or heavy... come prepared. They also have pushcarts. No Carts, walk only.

This……..every day

I love this pic because it is the closest I have that actually gives a sense of the scale out there.

can't wait

Gotta get out there. It looks so sick.

Found my recap from a couple years ago. I think a few of the guys here have played since my trip.

https://texags.com/forums/60/topics/3381101/replies/64967495#64967495

Jealous. Trying to plan a golf trip there for next year!

The reservations will probably open up in the next week or so. Call immediately and make your reservation when the notification comes out.

Have your preferred dates and back up dates already planned out.

Do you pay it all up front or just place a deposit?

It was a deposit that was some percentage of the total expected cost. I forget the details but it was a deposit of about $3k. That was 8 of us for 3 nights playing 4 rounds