Tommy Vardon was a professional golfer from the Channel Islands, the brother of the far more famous Harry Vardon. Tommy played professional golf for four decades and competed in the U.S. Opens at The Minikahda Club and Interlachen Country Club (among many others) back in the early 1900’s. Tommy had plenty of career highlights, including finishing second to his brother in the 1903 British Open Championship, but most people today remember Tommy more for his 40 golf designs than his 40 years of play.

Spooner Golf Club in Spooner, Wisconsin is one of Tommy’s most celebrated courses, even though it began as only nine holes, and it remains his only project in Wisconsin. At exactly 100 miles from his signature project – White Bear Yacht Club – in the Twin Cities, Spooner can easily be played on a day trip from Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eau Claire or Duluth, or it can be part of an extended vacation – as is often the case – by people traveling to, or staying in the Hayward Lakes area.

For years Hayward has been labeled as the “Golf Capital of Wisconsin” and it would never have garnered that label were it not for superior plays like Spooner Golf Club. “We’re 25 miles southwest of Hayward,” GM and PGA Head Golf Professional Fred Friedman says, “…a short 25 miles.” In other words, little to no traffic, all main highway – well worth the drive.

Vardon is credited with completing the original nine-hole course in 1930, and it remained as he built it for 50 years, before Gordon Emerson renovated it in 1980 while adding a second nine. If you’ve done the math that means that the current course has stood on its own merits for forty years since then. That has to be impressive to those of you who have already been there – in many ways it feels so much more modern. But, for those of you who have yet to visit, allow me to share some of what you’ll find.

As courses age their structure sags. (Something I can unfortunately relate to.) Mr. Emerson wasn’t brought in to change Tommy’s design… no facelift was necessary. In fact, Gordon took meticulous pains to maintain the original design integrity, and to match his own nine holes to Tommy’s style. Thanks to Gordon’s diligent efforts, the quality of work of both architects is appreciated greatly by many a 5-star reviewer on GolfAdvisor.com.

The par 72 course maxes at 6,458 yards, and is spread over 18 beautiful holes featuring plenty of tree-lined, mostly-flat, fairways with the occasional water hazard interrupting here and there just to keep you alert (like the pond guarding the green on the awesome, 5-par 13^th). There is plenty of room for driver on most holes and plenty of forgiveness found beneath the trees on stray shots – lost balls are quite rare. Playability and course conditions are clearly stressed, as the rough is never too rough, and the greens are firm and fast – perfect for both the serious player and the vacationer. The round is fast (sub four-hour rounds are the norm), forgiving and fun, concluding on a hole that was included in the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s “Dairyland Dream 18” – a 5-par beauty that wraps right around the water, blending hills, trees and wetlands for a few, final, stimulating swings. Some might scoff at the 408-yard length for the Par 5, but remember the course was designed to be played with hickories and, regardless of length, if you’re that good of a golfer you should enjoy the walk off birdie or eagle.

Spooner Golf Club prides itself in being a family-friendly facility, a logical landmark on many a family vacation. There are spacious practice facilities to enjoy (including a range, chipping and putting greens) and Mr. Friedman offers Class “A” instruction to individuals, groups and juniors. Your golf needs and expectations are going to be met here on each level, at every age – especially Juniors, (with TWO sets of “bonus tees”) as Spooner was one of the first facilities in the United States to be included in the PGA Family Course Program. (Juniors play for only $1 a hole most days and times!) And don’t miss the ½ Price Sundays. Anyone who pays to play on Friday or Saturday throughout the entire season receives a voucher for ½ price play THAT SAME Sunday. Given Spooner’s already fantastic rates, this deal gives golf groups and vacationers a lot more golf for less.

Stay and Play Packages are offered with a collection of area lodging partners (seven options), the course typically hosts dozens of events each year, and the Restaurant at SGC is open with limited seating indoor and outdoor on the patio. They have everything you need to complement your vacation. Leave your worries behind and come play!