Wisconsin’s much-honored Kohler Resort has turned on the golf spigot once again. Already home to Blackwolf Run’s two championship courses, River and Meadow Valleys, and two renowned layouts at Whistling Straits, the Straits and the Irish — plus the 10-hole Baths at Blackwolf Run, a short course that debuted in 2021 — the new offering is a 14-hole spread called Purebred Farm.
Located west of the existing Blackwolf Run courses, Purebred Farm broke ground in October and is being designed by King Collins Dormer. The walking-only, 14-hole layout spans 47 acres and is expected to stretch 4,900 yards. It will feature a blend of Golden Age-inspired par 3s, 4s and 5s and will traverse prairie, farmland and river valley landscapes. It will be routed to avoid existing wetlands and hiking trails.
Kohler will convert the historic Tomczyk Cabin, currently a lodging option in the Kohler Cabin Collection, into a rest station at Purebred Farm. The resort is also sprucing up The Carriage House, part of The American Club Resort Hotel, and adding a racquet sports facility that will be known as The Serve.
“This next chapter in Kohler, Wisconsin’s evolution reflects our ongoing commitment to creating dynamic, memorable experiences for our guests,” said hospitality president Stephen Beaumont. “With the construction of Purebred Farm Golf Course and The Serve, and the renovation of The Carriage House, we’re introducing spaces for guests and local residents that integrate wellness, community and connection, while honoring our resort’s rich legacy of craftsmanship, innovation and hospitality.”
Purebred Farm is expected to open in fall 2027.
THE SOCIAL ASPECT
A big day for Royal Perth today with the opening of 6 new greens (18,13,14,19,7&8) plus a big Himalayan style Putting Green. An extremely positive impact for the club @krusegolf with @cdpgolf1 @royalperthgolfclub pic.twitter.com/9cgs2eyt0g
— Harley Kruse (@KruseHarley) January 30, 2026
TREY KEMP TO ENHANCE HOGAN PARK COURSE
Work is underway on the renovation of Hogan Park’s Quail course in Midland, Texas.
Architect Trey Kemp is directing the design enhancements while Mid-America Golf & Landscape is carrying out the above- and below-ground construction in the rebuilding effort. The $10 million project on behalf of the city of Midland is expected to raise the quality and profile of the 36-hole municipal facility.
"The Quail course project represents a significant reinvestment in public golf, combining historic preservation with modern design, infrastructure, and sustainability upgrades," Kemp told GolfCourseArchitecture.net. “While the course will remain familiar, every playing surface will be reimagined to elevate the golfing experience for beginners, families and competitive players alike.”
Emphasis in the refresh will focus on improving playability, strategic interest and conditioning. Every green and tee complex will be refurbished. The added flexibility gained by the new teeing grounds will result in a more manageable trip around the course from the front tees — under 5,000 yards, while long hitters and low-handicap golfers will enjoy a layout that exceeds 7,000 yards.
Notable hole changes will see the par-3 10th hole transformed into a par 4 and an original pond put back into play on the 12th hole. Fairways will be carpeted in TifTuf Bermuda grass, a more durable option in the heat of west Texas.
Industry legend Larry Rodgers is the irrigation specialist who will transform the irrigation and water quality systems. Among the improvements will be the installation of a reverse-osmosis treatment system that in time will benefit both the Quail course and its sibling, the Roadrunner course.
"The project is being supported by two key leaders at Hogan Park — golf course superintendent Tyson Kerby, who will oversee construction, grow-in and long-term turf management, and head professional Thomas Brantley, who has been instrumental in communicating the vision and benefits of the renovation to the golfing community," Kemp said. "Their combined leadership ensures that the improvements will translate directly into better course conditioning, enhanced playability and a more welcoming experience for all golfers.
Renovations will likely conclude by summer 2026, with a reopening expected in the fall.
TIERRA DEL SOL REOPENS
Tierra del Sol Golf Course, a 1995 Robert Trent Jones II design on the Caribbean island of Aruba, has reopened after a 13-month renovation led by GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf.
Among the course tweaks were reducing bunkers and reshaping others, a greens restoration, tee complex enhancements, new irrigation and the expansion of nesting habitats for the Shoco, a type of burrowing owl found only in Aruba.
Long a bastion for breeding owls, the recent renovation has boosted the number of nesting sites on Tierra del Sol by 80 percent. "Making this property a better owl habitat was important, but long-term sustainability was at the core of our decision-making process," Ashiko Martinus, general manager at Tierra del Sol Resort & Golf, told GolfCourseArchitecture.net. "We recognized the need to reduce water consumption, improve turf quality and enhance biodiversity across the course. Another key renovation was upgrading our irrigation system for better water efficiency—but we also introduced drought-resistant grass varieties and restored several additional natural habitats to support local wildlife.
"All of these efforts align with our commitment to environmental stewardship and ensuring that the course remains in top condition for generations to come. While the current renovation focused on the course itself, we are also looking at enhancing our other golf facilities, improving practice areas, and hosting special events that highlight the natural beauty of Tierra del Sol."
GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf made the improvements as part of its Sustainable Golf Renovations program. "The Foundation has long certified course operations and developments, many of which look to GEO to guide and support them through the process," said Sam Thomas, developments director at GEO. "We see course renovation as a quite natural fit — to foster sustainable course maintenance and operations going forward.
"We believe true ‘sustainability’ relies equally on the protection of the natural environment, the methodical reduction of resource usage, a productive impact on the surrounding community and taking robust and positive climate action. They all work together. We worked with the project team at Tierra del Sol to make sure those fundamental elements would be delivered through the renovation process."
