On a stretch of rolling central Wisconsin sand, the appropriately named Sand Valley shows how a modern golf resort can be equal parts tee-time destination and community-focused project with design rooted in the walking experience and pure play. Its next chapter, The Commons, continues that evolution. Opening in 2026, the 12-hole golf park bridges the resort’s original five courses — a compact, walkable 12-hole layout designed to sit between a short course and a championship track.
Photo: Brandon Carter/Sand Valley
Wisconsin’s Sand Valley Channels the Scottish Village Green With a New Course in 2026
Conceived by architect Jim Craig, The Commons was envisioned as an afternoon course, a place to chase the sunset or squeeze in a quick loop between full rounds. The layout rewards imagination over distance: angled fairways, rumpled contours, and open green entries for both newcomers and purists. “It’s strategic golf in its purest form — fun, fast, and endlessly replayable,” says Tom Ferrell, vice president of media and communications for Dream Golf.
Photo: Jeff Marsh/Sand Valley
Where Mammoth Dunes stretches wide and The Lido mirrors championship precision, The Commons folds the same sandy terrain into something intimate and connective. The name is a reference to the Scottish village greens, but it’s not exactly “common” by the definition of the word. Craig and Sand Valley co-founder Michael Keiser Jr. set out to create a course that connects the resort’s main hub to Sedge Village and Luna Lake. Around Luna Lake, a dramatic peninsula sequence adds visual allure and risk-reward tension. Routed as an open “golf park,” The Commons is meant to be walked by both players and spectators, encouraging casual rounds, spontaneous play, and movement between Sand Valley’s different activity centers. Architecturally, it departs from the resort’s larger courses. The twelve holes blend short par 4s and par 3s, emphasizing strategy and recoverability over distance.
I caught up with Ferrell to learn more about what sets The Commons apart.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Matador Network: What were some of the decisions that went into creating the Commons to balance strategy and play experience in a compact format?
Tom Ferrell: The Commons began with a goal to create another “afternoon course” that could complement the popular Sandbox short course. Architect Jim Craig worked closely with Michael Keiser to design a course with bold contours, multiple lines of play. Shorter pars and open green entries make it welcoming for newer players, while angled fairways and rumpled contours reward experienced players who shape their shots creatively. It is strategic golf in its purest form: fun, fast and endlessly replayable.
Photo: Brandon Carter/Sand Valley
How does the Commons use the land and natural contours?
Where Mammoth Dunes celebrates massive scale and The Lido meticulously recreates a classic at championship length, the Commons leans into connection. The course connects the resort’s original core to Sedge Village and Luna Lake. Instead of stretching across a vast ridge, it folds the same sandy terrain into a rolling, old-world design. The course captures the spirit of Scottish “village greens,” where golf blends seamlessly into the landscape and community.
How does the Commons push the short course genre forward?
Photo: Brandon Carter/Sand Valley
The Commons is more of a shortened course than a short course. It features 12 regulation holes, including a dramatic peninsula stretch around Luna Lake that adds both visual beauty and strategic tension. Architecture enthusiasts will appreciate shared and wraparound greens, cross-bunkering that shifts strategy by the day, and a routing that nods to Prestwick’s original 12-hole layout.
How does the Commons contribute to the overall atmosphere of Sand Valley as a resort destination beyond just being a place to play?
We see the Commons as a social hub that connects Sand Valley’s two main activity centers and invites both golfers and non-golfers to engage with the game. Guests can stroll, watch, or join a quick loop between rounds on arrival days or before dinner. Its location near Sedge Valley, the Tennis Center and Luna Lake make it the new heartbeat of Sand Valley, where recreation, nature and social life all intersect.
The Sandbox at Sand Valley. Photo: B Carter/Sand Valley
For the traveler who discovers the Commons spontaneously while staying at Sand Valley (or even passing through central Wisconsin), what do you hope their impression is after a round?
We hope the takeaway is that golf can be both engaging and wildly approachable. At the Commons, players will experience bold looks, scenic lakefront holes and imaginative shot making opportunities. Ideally, they leave saying, “That was unforgettable; I learned new shots, and I cannot wait to play it again.”
Beyond the golf itself, what are the experiences around the course that elevate the visit for travelers?
Photo: B Carter/Sand Valley
Sand Valley, in the heart of the vast Wisconsin wilderness, has become a true year-round destination where recreation and relaxation meet in every season. In the warmer months, guests can explore miles of hiking and biking trails, play grass tennis, and enjoy paddleboarding or kayaking on Luna Lake. When winter arrives, Sand Valley transforms into a snow-covered playground with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, pond fishing, and cozy fireside gatherings. For a full wellness immersion, guests can attend the annual Elemental Wellness Retreat in January.
What role do you see the Commons playing in the conversation around golf in Wisconsin more broadly?
The Commons furthers Sand Valley’s reputation for innovation and adds to its rapidly growing resort and community. The Commons adds something new to the exciting Wisconsin golf landscape: a two-and-a-half hour golf experience that retains architectural depth and strategic nuance.
How does the Commons balance that accessibility while still offering a product that appeals to a global traveler looking for bucket-list golf?
Photo: Daniel Brown/Sand Valley
Accessibility comes from its walkable layout, approachable length, and playful design that welcomes every level of golfer. The bucket-list draw comes from its authentic design pedigree — Jim Craig’s first solo design, evolved from the same artistry that defines the resort’s Coore & Crenshaw courses, and infused with inspiration from Scotland’s great links.
What can people expect to see next at the Commons and Sand Valley as a whole? Are there innovations in course design, hospitality, or events on the horizon?
Photo: Jeff Marsh/Sand Valley
When it officially opens in 2026, the Commons will become Sand Valley’s sixth course, joining Mammoth Dunes, Sand Valley, Sedge Valley, the Sandbox and the Lido. As it debuts, guests can expect continued programming spanning food, music and wellness events, casual competitions and more. Across the resort, Sand Valley continues to grow, with upcoming USGA championships, an expanding homeowner and vacation community, and elevated hospitality that will further cement its reputation as one of the most dynamic destinations in American golf. 