Kohler Gets Local Support for Fifth Golf Course


Though residents in Wilson, Wisc., and some environmental groups have fought to stop it, the Kohler Company has received a vote of support from the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corp. for its plans to develop a fifth course.

The company currently owns the 36-hole Whistling Straits north of Sheboygan and the 36-hole Blackwolf Run facility in Kohler.

Designed by Pete Dye, the new course would occupy 247 acres just north of Kohler-Andrae State Park the Kohler-based plumbing products and hospitality firm has owned for more than 75 years.

In an effort to appease project critics, Kohler announced on March 20 it would modify the original course routing to reduce the impact to wetlands and minimize the use of state land.

Jim Richerson, group director of golf for Kohler Co., told Gary D'Amato of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "There were concerns about how much state land we were asking for and what kind of impact it would have on wetlands," Richerson said Friday. "We took those concerns and did more due diligence and work in the field and modified the design."

On Monday the board of directors of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corp. said it was backing the new course, citing the "significant, positive economic impact" it will have on the community.

The announcement follows a report by Chicago's SB Friedman Development Advisors which notes the project would create an estimated 227 full-time jobs and generate an annual economic impact of $20.6 million.

During its three-year development phase, the project would involve 95 full-time construction jobs. Kohler Co. says it will make an initial investment of $25 million to build and develop the course, which would have 168 full- and part-time employees and generate $1.1 million in new tax revenue, the SCEDC said.

"Kohler Co. has a proven track record of environmental stewardship and of operating championship-caliber courses that reflect innovation and a commitment to sustainability," said SCEDC director Dane Checolinski in a statement.

"Kohler Co. also has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products and services. All hospitality projects the company has completed have been truly world-class."

Richerson said four holes of Dye's modified design would go along the shoreline and others would offer unobstructed views of Lake Michigan. The company still needs to file an environmental report with the Department of Natural Resources "in the next two to three weeks" as a necessary step in getting final approval for the course

He told D'Amato, "We'd like to start (construction) as soon as possible. We're very excited, but there's a process to go through with the Town of Wilson and the DNR."

For D’Amato’s full report, visit http://www.jsonline.com/sports/golf/kohler-modifies-plan-for-fifth-golf-course-after-criticism-b99466193z1-297111571.html.