You’ve heard the names McDonald And Rose And Raynor. You have prayed at the altar of Mackenzie And Colt And Old Tom. And yes, you have delved into the modernist works of Doak And Choir And McLay Kidd.
But here are two names you haven’t heard yet: Craig And… Klaas. The former, as in Jim Craigthe long-time designer and golf course artist who will earn his first architectural credit in 2026 at Sand Valley’s newest golf course. And the latter, as in Santa Clausthe man whose journey around the world on December 25 brings gifts to those who are best behaved… including the course architect at the center of our story.
Even in October, the holiday spirit is alive and well at Sand Valley in 2025. And the reason for that is good: The Commons, Sand Valley’s newest resort course, is in the final stages of growth after a lengthy construction process, adding a brand new offering to a productive list of enviable resort courses.
By resort golf standards, The Commons is an extreme outlier: a 12-hole short course named after the Scottish “common lands” – or public property – on which many historic golf courses rest, giving people free access.
The spirit here is much the same: The Commons is meant to be a place where everyone can play, whether you’re old or young, scratch or hacker, stud or scrub. The unifying theory is accessibility, and although the course is built to maximalist specifications – a huge sand hill frames the first seven holes of the course, creating the effect of playing on the surface of Mars – the golf plays in the friendly, minimalist style of a neighborhood muni. You can reach most greens and hit multiple fairways even with a big miss.
“I like that you can bring your spouse or your kids here,” Craig said from the side of a huge double green. ‘It just is pleasureand that’s how golf should be.”
According to Craig, the most difficult part of building The Commons was deciphering its purpose. Sand Valley owner Mike Keiser’s original goal was 18 holes. Then nine. Then something in between. Craig, a long-time shaper for Coore-Crenshaw, was commissioned to create 12, with the aim of bringing the course in line with golf’s original purpose: a pleasant walk in nature with loved ones.
However, there was the matter of the land. The Commons trails run through a busy thoroughfare in the Sand Valley terrain, and early versions of the trail had a smaller footprint that looped around the Mars-like sand crater. Craig liked the original routing, but… loved the lake peninsula across the road. It wouldn’t take much effort to turn the piece into a breathtaking finishing trio – perhaps the most stunning view on the entire Sand Valley property – making The Commons a true ‘signature piece’.
But Keizer had other plans. The property was zoned for real estate development, which complemented Sand Valley’s prolific number of luxury Spartan lodges on the property, modeled in the Scandinavian style.
The gift? He could use the land around the peninsula for his golf course.
“That was a good day,” Craig says now with a grin.
By the time the bulldozers and shapers arrived on site not long after, Craig’s final stretch had been given a nickname.
“The stocking filler,” Craig says, chuckling. “It was a great Christmas present.”
Indeed it was. Craig’s final play at The Commons is the most visually stunning play on the golf course – and perhaps in all of Sand Valley. The first hole, a choose-your-adventure par-4, is a drivable forced carry for big hitters, but a tumbling walk along the water for everyone else. The second, an infinite green par-3, looks like a postage stamp but benefits from a hidden wave that directs clever shots inland and tumbles towards the putting surface. (“You’ll like that,” Craig said excitedly as a far-right tee shot bounced over the hill.) And the third, another par-4, has a gentle forced carry that leads to the course’s widest fairway—an encouragement to swing as hard as you want.
Overall, the “Stocking Stuffer” gives The Commons the feel of a multi-act story, which is quite an achievement for a trail that can comfortably be walked in two hours. With a little bit of land and a lot of imagination, Craig and Co. something funky and fun designed for golfers of all ages.
All in all, it can be said that the second most impressive thing about The Commons is its sense of levity: it is a gift back to golf at its roots.
And the most impressive thing?
The gift arrived in central Wisconsin… all the way from the North Pole.
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