As peak golf season arrives in Wisconsin, Trappers Turn Golf Club is debuting a full redesign of its premier hole Canyon 7. Located one mile from downtown Wisconsin Dells, this one-of-a-kind course was designed in partnership with Wisconsin golf legend and two-time US Open Champion Andy North, who came back for the reimagining of Canyon 7.
Standing at the rim of the canyon, players look out over layers of exposed limestone and tall trees lining the green below. The flag sits between flowing waterfalls and craggy rock formations that North describes as “a box canyon from the old cowboy movies.” For seasoned Trappers Turn golfers, the hole remains recognizable, but its quality and beauty have been elevated.
When North first walked the grounds 30 years ago as Trappers was being built, he knew he wanted a shot played directly into the canyon. The space was unlike anything he’d seen at other courses. But, the grass proved hard to grow and maintain deep inside the canyon. During the summer months, the sun baked the green while the rock walls and trees choked out airflow.
“We wanted to solve the practical problems,” says Craig Haltom, the course architect. “The main point of the project was to make sure that it would be in great shape for the golfers. … It’s not unlike the hole that was here, but it’s built in a way that’s going to make it play great for years and years.”
Trees were cleared to improve airflow, and bits of the canyon wall were chipped away to expose large chunks of limestone. The green was raised and nearly doubled in size allowing for more opportunities for pin placement while also increasing the difficulty, and giving golfers a PGA-level experience. Standing inside the canyon now, a cool breeze drifts in off the treeline while the sound of falling water makes the space feel almost meditative.
“When you start projects like this, you have an idea of where you want them to get to and you hope they get near that,” North says. “I think that’s really where Craig and his team really enjoyed working on this over the last three or four years.”
Post-COVID lockdown, Wisconsin has seen a surge in the golf’s popularity. In March, the Wisconsin Golf Alliance published a study finding that golf generates $6.44 billion in total economic impact statewide – more than both beer and Packers home games combined. With Trappers seeing an increasing number of golfers each year, the Nelson family, owners of the Kalahari Resort and Trappers Golf Club, recognized the need to invest further in the space.
“From a statewide golf [perspective,] this is a hole that will be pictured a lot,” North says. “It’s just good golf. … People like to be surprised. You drive up in your cart, you come up over a hill – That’s what we wanted to get done here and it really turned out great.”
“Trappers is a place where people get together, have drinks, have great food and make a weekend of it,” says Travis Nelson, president of the Kalahari and son of Trappers Turn owner Todd Nelson. “I think guests are going to see potential realized. We’re in this beautiful natural sandstone canyon – we didn’t do anything over the top, we just took advantage of what was always here.”
Beyond Canyon 7, Trappers offers three unique nine-hole layouts: Arbor, Canyon and Lake. For those wanting a different kind of challenge, the par-3 course 12North offers 12 holes suitable for players of any skill level.
When guests have finished golfing, they can head to the club house for an elegant dining experience. The course’s restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating with views of the stunning course. The menu features Midwest classics, cocktails and Wisconsin-inspired dishes, including weekend specials like Friday fish fry, Saturday night prime rib and Sunday brunch. Trappers Turn Golf Club restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner during the summer season. During the off-season, it is open for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays from 4-8 p.m. and brunch on Sunday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
“There are a lot of courses out there that you play once and never go back,” North says. “At Trappers Turn, we want people to visit for the first time and say, ‘Let’s come back here next weekend and play again.'”
Trappers Turn Golf Club is open daily for tee times starting one hour after sunrise until sundown, with hours varying depending on weather. The purchase of any pass includes a GPS Golf Cart and access to the practice facility. Guests vacationing at Kalahari Resorts, Lake Delton Waterfront Villa or Kalahari Treehouse Adventures receive 10% off on 18-hole rates.
You can learn more and book a tee time here.
