The American Club was originally a housing facility for foreign Kohler workers that were trying to build a life in America. The company helped the residents become American citizens and fulfill their dreams of coming to America. After a major restoration project, this beautiful facility has been transformed into one of the most beautiful places you can stay. As part of the small Village of Kohler that has the feel of a college campus, there are plenty of things to do besides golf. There are shops, a sports complex, an art museum, tours of the American Club and a spa to name a few. They always have plenty of activities for the entire family, but let's talk about the golf.

You will not find four courses this close together with this level of quality anywhere else in the world. Pete Dye designed them all. There are only 16 5-star "Places to Play" as rated by Golf Digest. You have 2 of these in Kohler (Blackwolf Run River and Blackwolf Run Meadow Valleys) and the other two courses are sure to be rated this highly soon (Whistling Straits - Straits course and Whistling Straits - Irish Course). The Blackwolf Run River course hosted the U.S. Women's Open in 1998 and the Andersen Consulting World Championship of golf in 1995, 1996 and 1997. It is ranked in the Golf Digest Top 100 courses.

However, the gem of the courses has got to be Whistling Straits - Straits Course. It is also ranked in the top 100 and it is only four years old. It is scheduled to host the PGA Championship in 2004. This is a quote I got from a low handicapper that has played the best courses in the world, "I think I like Whistling Straits better than any course in the United States. And that includes Pebble." You truly feel you are no longer in the U.S., but somehow ended up in the British Isles. They actually have black-faced sheep that roam the grounds. Eight of its holes hug the cliffs of the Lake Michigan shoreline above crashing waves.

Lake Michigan is in full view from every hole. Be sure to bring your sand wedge if you are going to play this course. They list the number of bunkers as "more than 500". It is easy to understand why they list it this way. It is impossible to count how many bunkers they have out there. You'd quickly lose your count if you tried. Not to mention that there is some sand on the rocky beach that my playing partner somehow found. Even more important than your wedge is to bring your best game. This 18 handicapper didn't and shot more than a couple of shots over 100 (but still beat his playing partner). Has anyone ever heard of another course with a 151 slope rating?

I can’t say enough great things about this resort and these courses. The story would never end, so I suggest you go experience it for yourself. I know you’ll enjoy it. Be sure to bring your wallet with all of your credit cards, because staying and playing at the best rated golf resort in the U.S. (by multiple publications) will cost you. It is well worth the expense. The old adage "you get what you pay for” definitely holds true here. I highly recommend getting up to this resort if you can. I've always dreamed of getting to Scotland to play the game where it started (still dreaming), but this resort definitely goes a long way to filling that void until I get there.