The River Course
Blackwolf Run Golf Club

About this course
The River course at Blackwolf Run, sculpted along the Sheboygan River, isn't just a round of golf; it's a confrontation with nature's raw power. Pete Dye's design, dating to the late 1980s, captures a distinctly modern ethos of risk-reward golf played across dramatic, undulating terrain. The course demands strategic thinking and shot-making prowess, often favoring those who dare to challenge the river's edge. Blackwolf Run hosted the U.S. Women's Open in both 1998 and 2012, won by Se Ri Pak and Na Yeon Choi respectively. These events underscored the River course's capacity to test the world's best, its demanding layout separating contenders from pretenders under the scrutiny of major championship pressure. While not a fixture of constant professional play, the River course maintains a reputation as a stern but fair test of golf, drawing players to Wisconsin for its unique blend of challenge and natural beauty. Members savor the Sheboygan brat, a local staple served with pride after a hard-fought round. The course's difficulty is often the topic of conversation, a shared experience that binds players together.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in WI
Quick facts
- Location
- Kohler, WI, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1988
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Pete Dye
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,404 yards
- Difficulty
- 76.3/151
- Course Vaults score
- 8.5
Getting there
The journey to Blackwolf Run Golf Club begins at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), situated roughly forty-five minutes to the southeast, or alternatively at Chicago's O'Hare (ORD) for those arriving from further afield - a drive of approximately ninety minutes through the industrial heartland before the landscape softens into the rolling terrain of Wisconsin's Door County approach. Private aviation finds its home at nearby Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, a discreet alternative for those seeking a more intimate arrival. The final leg traces a quiet northwesterly path through the villages and farmland surrounding Kohler, where the Sheboygan River begins to announce itself through the trees, and the manicured grounds of the club emerge with the understated confidence of Pete Dye's design philosophy - a seamless transition from the everyday world into one of American golf's most deliberately secluded sanctuaries.

FAQ
Common questions about The River at Blackwolf Run Golf Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The River at Blackwolf Run Golf Club has a Course Vaults score of 8.5 out of 10 based on 298 logged golfers.
The River was designed by Pete Dye.
Yes. The River at Blackwolf Run Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The River is 72.
The River plays 7,404 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The River is 151.




