Despite being only minutes from the start of an important, annual charity outing, with double shotgun starts on each of his two golf courses, Ryan Brown sat calmly (at least outwardly) on the clubhouse patio at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. As director of golf at one of Wisconsin’s premier resorts, such events are as common as cheese curds at Happy Hour.
“We have between 240 and 260 outings a season,’’ Brown said. “Not all of them are this big… Some are corporate outings and some are buddy trips. But we have quite a few big ones.’’
The Brute and Highlands courses each are the main draws for golf groups of all sizes from locales throughout the Midwest – and now reaching as far away as Texas. But past May, Grand Geneva added a third course – Wee Nip.
Built on land that was once occupied by woodlands and the resort’s original practice range, Wee Nip is an 11-hole short course that’s more than just an afterthought. It’s a serious test of short-game skills – and a great opportunity for players south of the Mason-Dixon to get acquainted with bentgrass greens.
“It’s a very important addition to what we already have here with Highlands and The Brute,’’ Brown said of Wee Nip, which plays as long as 1,093 yards and as short as 649 yards, “It’s an entirely different vibe and architecture.’’
Wee Nip is akin to that pesky nephew who keeps kicking you in the chins. It’s a full-fledged challenge from the 85-yard first hole (Blackboard) to the nefarious 110-yard, uphill 11th hole, which features two green options and is appropriately named “Aloha.’’ That is, if you miss either green on No. 11 – particularly the upper green – you can watch your ball roll unceremoniously downhill and say goodbye to a good score.
The No. 8 “Runway” at Wee Nip
The player with the overall low score of the day on Wee Nip, by the way, gets his or her posted for all to see near the 12th hole food truck. Picture or not, don’t pass on the special “Wee Nip’’ shot after your round.
Wee Nip is the creation of Milwaukee-based architect Matt Dusenberry, perhaps best-known for his work with Greg Norman’s design company. Most of the greens are large and loaded with undulation. How big are they? The combined square-footage of the 11 Wee Nip greens, is larger than the combined square-feet of the 18 greens on the Highlands.
Unlike many resort “short courses’’ that use mats as teeing grounds, players can hit off the grass with extra short wood tees provided on the first hole. The Wee Nip starter also provides a lightweight daybag. Players can use their own clubs or rent clubs – generally just a 9-iron, pitching wedge and putter. Wee Nip is a walking-only layout. It’s not a difficult walk, but it does take, let’s say, a”wee nip’’ of stamina.
“Wee Nip is an extension of golf and another outlet for our resort – that second round of the day or that nightcap,’’ Brown said. “It’s just fantastic.’’
The opening hole.”Blackboard,” at Wee Nip