That’s a fitting title for this story, especially since it’s about a place with a golf course that has a Siren as its logo. Yes, I am talking about The Lido, a course unlike any other on the planet. You might say, “Well it has template holes designed by C.B. Macdonald so how can it be unlike any other golf course?” If you’re interested, pause here and Google The Lido and enjoy learning about the history of the original course on Long Island and also the incredible restoration and development at Sand Valley Resort. Or you can watch this video. Or just take my word for it. After seeing it in person and watching the best mid-amateurs play it, my appreciation and wonderment only increased. The fact that this place exists in its current form and in its current location is truly remarkable.
When I received the invitation to serve on the Committee for the 45th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Sand Valley, I was honored and excited. In preparation, I did a deep dive on The Lido, and the anticipation grew. Being a part of a national championship is always a special experience, but this year’s U.S. Mid-Amateur was another level. This was Sand Valley’s first USGA Championship, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. Dream Golf, led by the Keiser family, has it figured out. Their impressive arsenal of courses around the country are all elite, but I think pound for pound Sand Valley is unrivaled. It didn’t hurt that the weather in Wisconsin in late September was mint, with the temperature peaking around 69-70 degrees every day. The sun was brilliant and conditions were ideal for golf. I call it shorts and q-zip weather. Crisp, cool mornings and warm bright afternoons.
Normally my USGA recaps read in a linear fashion and chronological order. However, in order to paint the picture of one of the lasting memories of the trip, I’ll start on Tuesday morning, September 29. I was assigned to referee the first match off hole # 10 at 7:20 AM in the Round of 32. The sun was beginning to rise when my wife Jessica dropped me off at the The Lido around 6:30 AM. The sky was still black with a small bright orange line shining above the tree tops. It was a cool and comfortable morning. I was wearing a white long sleeve USGA Peter Millar polo and navy khakis, ready to roll with my most comfortable FootJoy golf shoes and the USGA issued committee hat (really cool by the way with a stitching of the Wisconsin state flag on the side and the championship logo on the front). The only lights coming from the facility were the bright glow of the Rolex clock and a few spotlights around the practice putting green. There was also a U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship logo neon light shining in the golf shop window.
I strolled into the golf shop and was pleased to find that they already had a pot of fresh coffee ready. I poured a cup and walked out to the first tee and looked around, taking it all in. There was a full moon still low in the sky, and as the sun began to rise higher, the sky began to turn lighter and a line of pink colored clouds dotted the peripheral. The stage was set.
Kudos to the maintenance crew at Sand Valley by the way. I know they worked their tails off in preparation for and during the championship. By 7:00 AM the last few maintenance vehicles were driving off the course well into the distance. I replenished my coffee and walked over to the 10th tee to get my unofficial scorecard (with the pace of play on it). I grabbed a hole location sheet as well. The greens at The Lido are insane (more on that in a moment). I met the starter Rogan Doyle from Toronto, representing Golf Canda, and made a lighthearted remark about the first letter of his first name being incorrect (a few times when someone called for him on the radio I thought they were saying Logan). He was professional, and he did not have any delays on his starting hole on Tuesday that I was aware of, which is always priority number one for a starter. When I mentioned I was from Louisiana, Rogan had to bring up that he saw Sam Burns lose in a playoff to Ryan Fox at the Canadian Open last year.
The players and their caddies approached the tee, and I removed my hat and shook each of their hands and introduced myself as the referee for their match. This Round of 32 match was between Christian Cavaliere from Katonah, New York (57 seed) and Aaron Hickman from Tyler, Texas (25 seed). I let the players know that I was there to assist with any rulings, determine who was away and the order of play if necessary, and that I would announce the status of the match at the conclusion of each hole. I also had the players identify their golf balls with each other. The final reminder for them was to make any concessions loud and clear so there would be no confusion or controversy. While we were waiting to start, I read the notice to competitors once more. I thoroughly knew it by then, but it’s always good to have it fresh in your mind. The starter announced the players and said, “the referee for this match is Logan Ray.” It was go time.
Both players found the right side of the fairway with their opening tee shots. The 10th hole is called “Alps,” inspired by the 17th hole at Prestwick Golf Club. It’s a par 4 with a blind second shot from the center or left side of the fairway, which both players strategically avoided having to deal with. The “Alps” is a massive towering hill with a large rock on top as a directional marker for that blind shot. I was walking behind the players and caddies as they were making their way to their approach shots, and then I decided to veer left and trek up the hill. When I crested to the top, I stood next to the rock and looked down at the players off to the right. It was at this moment I looked around and surveyed The Lido from perhaps the best vantage point on the property, and it was a sensational sight. This was the “soulful serenade.”
The sun had risen magnificently over the tops of the trees, and I could feel its warmth on my back. The full moon was still showing off to the northwest, and those pink clouds had turned to white cotton balls to match the moon’s color. There wasn’t a soul in front of us. It was quiet and peaceful. This was indeed going to be a memorable stroll.
It was in this moment, on top of “Alps” admiring the landscape that I said a quick prayer, thanking God for this day and opportunity and for all the blessings in my life. It’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have found golf and to have experienced many of the great cathedrals of our beautiful game.
Golf and nature are a sanctuary for me and a reminder to be grateful for everything. In the words of Dave Matthews, life is short but sweet for certain. Golf has taken me to some incredible places, and Sand Valley is high on the list. I really enjoy the courses that allow you to immerse yourself the surroundings. I think Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau would approve of more golf. I’m at peace on the course and at ease “inside the ropes.” The Lido and all 12,000 acres of the Sand Valley Resort are on the same wavelength. I thought about my family and my father and my mentor and predecessor Carr McCalla. Being there in that moment was a privilege. This is why I work hard, and this is why I studied to become an expert in the Rules of Golf. I take pride in my job, and it’s an honor to represent the Louisiana Golf Association. Once you realize that the most important thing is to get it right and that you’re there to help, you become more comfortable in your environment and eliminate unnecessary stress.
Back to the golf. Both players hit the green with their approach shots. These guys are great players so most of the “trouble” did not really come into play off the tee. However, it was around the greens were the separation occurred. Did I mention the green complexes at The Lido were insane? The 10th hole features a two-tiered semi-punchbowl fronted by deep bunkers and the “circus ring” mounding that funneled balls toward the hole location. When a ball hits a green at The Lido, it makes a sound you don’t forget. It’s hard to describe but it sounds hollow, almost like it’s hitting a sheet of ice. It’s a “thud” for sure but one that creates a resounding echo. That vibration added to the excitement and players had to be dialed with their wedges to have success at The Lido. Playing on that surface and hearing that sound and seeing the end result of great shots being rewarded and slight misses being rejected like Dikembe Mutombo used to block shots in the NBA… All of that makes you lock in immediately and say, “Wow. Ok, game on!” Seriously, even when players dropped their putter head on the greens, it made that sound. Wild stuff! The putting surfaces were all pure though, and all of the turf was immaculate.
Cavaliere dominated the match, winning 6 & 5. Simply put, he hit it closer than his opponent and he made putts. However, both competitors got “Lido’d” on a few holes. Hickman’s tee shot at the par 4 12th hole found the lagoon to the right of the fairway, and he would lose the hole. The only hole that Cavaliere lost was the short par 3 14th which was playing 125 yards that day. The green is elevated about 5-6 feet above its surround, and it has a “thumbprint.” Cavaliere’s tee shot found the front right bunker and then his second shot was launched across the green and rolled into the adjacent fairway, leaving an impossible up and down. He conceded that hole after Hickman lagged his birdie putt to 3 feet.
Some of my favorite holes at The Lido include the par 3 16th (208 yards). This is the Redan hole with the kick slope off the right collar of the green. I saw several players hit quality shots into this green only to realize the ball did not stop close to the hole. The Lido is an elite match play venue. After the 16th is the long par 5 17th (622 yards). There are so many bumps and knobs in this fairway, it’s really cool to see as you’re walking to your second shot. There’s a deep hollow at the front portion of the 17th green while the rest of the green slopes front to back. I saw Josh Fickes of Charleston, SC execute a lengthy two-putt from the “valley” to a back hole location. The 18th is my favorite hole (par 4 / 437 yards). It presents a variety of options off the tee because the fairway is as wide as a football field is long. The green depth is 60 + yards, and in the Round of 32, the hole location was 12 paces on and 6 from the right and looking at the hole location sheet, you think “you had all that green to work with and you put it here?” It’s a cornucopia of hole locations to choose from. The back right shelf is a great spot as well. There is a legendary story that Dr. Alister MacKenzie won a contest to design the finishing hole at the original Lido and that’s the blueprint that Macdonald used for the 18th hole. MacKenzie went on to design a few courses himself!
You can watch highlights of the match I officiated here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dd4XjOFhbps/?xtok=Zmw2OGczdTV6cGg0
For the record, the wind was relatively benign both of the days I was at The Lido. I cannot imagine having to navigate that golf course when the wind is whipping or when they play it with hickory sticks! It’s a proper test in every way. The USGA will return in two years for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, and it’s certainly deserving to host elite championships in the future.
My overall experience at Sand Valley was a 10/10 on and off the golf course. Anyone who’s seen me at championships since 2018 has also most likely seen my family. That’s one of the most fun things about my job, the fact that I am able to bring my wife and kids to these amazing places. I have to be away from my family often during the summer months for work, so anytime I can bring them along I do so. This Wisconsin trip was a blast for our family.
Thursday, September 24 was a free day, and I played Sedge Valley. I was paired with two businessmen from Milwaukee, solid players. My caddie was adept at reading the greens and we had a great report. All the caddies I interacted with at Sand Valley were first class and professional. It was like we all had an unannounced understanding of how lucky we were to be where we were. My wife and kids walked with us the first four holes, so I enjoyed the clapping when I hit a good shot and the laughs when I did not hit a good shot. We weren’t rushed or crowed and we didn’t see any other golfers for most of the round. Anyway, Sedge Valley was exceptional. The condition of the golf course was superb, and it was a fun layout. I really enjoyed playing a golf course at 5800 yards (par 68). It’s a Tom Doak designed track, and even though the yardage was short, you still were able to hit every club in the bag. It’s also one of the only times in recent memory that the ball I teed up on the first hole was the same ball I picked out of the hole on the 18th green. Sedge Valley is intimate and it really showcases the beauty of the resort. This was a great intro for us. The other great thing about Sedge is that it has grass tennis courts outside of its restaurant The Gallery. We spent an hour there playing tennis between the sand dunes in a perfect setting. Sand Valley delivers on the food as well! Coming from Louisiana, you appreciate a good meal and all of the restaurants at the resort were excellent. The player and committee dining was at Aldo’s in the main clubhouse each day, and the breakfast spread was really all you needed to sustain yourself for the day.
On Friday morning, September 25 I played the new 12-hole course Commons. I had the crew in tow again and it was a memorable round for all the right reasons. The only par 5 on the course is the opening hole. In addition, it has seven par 4s and four par 3s. The first hole sets the tone though and you’re playing directly toward a massive sand hill. It’s towering and always present. Visually it’s one of the coolest images at the resort, like you’re playing on another planet. My guess is it’s 100 feet high and my caddie said it was all the sand that was excavated to build the course. The closing stretch of holes meander around a gorgeous lake. After the round, I took the kids to the other side of that lake at a public beach and let them run up and down another sand hill. There are kayaks and paddle boats and fishing in the lake at the Commons and you can enjoy the great outdoors at your leisure. I’d like to swim there in the summer and hang out on the floating dock. It’s quiet and an easy way to recharge your batteries and get your mind right.
Friday night was our Rules Meeting back at The Gallery. Kevin Fullenkamp, Jay Roberts, and Jamie Wallace discussed the local rules and things to expect. The communication from the USGA Rules Team was excellent in advance of the championship, and it was nice to get a thorough breakdown. Supplemental visuals were emailed to us prior to the meeting. Colin Clawson discussed the logistics. Since Sand Valley is all walking, Committee members especially needed to know where not to drive our carts while on the course. My assignment for the first two rounds of stroke play (Sept. 26-27) was Front Nine Rover at Sand Valley which was the cohost course for stroke play qualifying. We had such a seasoned group on the Committee, I knew it would be a success. It felt like a “who’s who” of rules experts in the room, and it was great to catch up with old friends and make new connections. It’s all hands on deck when serving on a committee, and this year’s Mid-Am was a true team effort. The rovers’ main goal was to ensure that the players adhered to our pace of play policy.
Sand Valley, the resort’s namesake, is a Bill Core and Ben Crenshaw design. It’s firm and fast. It’s pushed up greens that are like a cereal bowl turned upside down on the table. It’s not a knock, but with The Lido, you realize that every single bump, swell, and contour is manufactured and man-made. They had GPS on the bulldozers when building The Lido, and they lasered the course to the exact specs they wanted! Sand Valley takes the natural sand dunes and accentuates them.
I saw the sun rise every day I was at Sand Valley, and the first round of stroke play on Saturday, September 26 was one of the best. I grabbed my cart from the staging area and then checked into the Sand Valley office to get my rover’s box. It includes timing sheets, an air horn, hole locations, local rules supplement, and a pace of play “Raguzzi” for every group. I also grabbed a radio and then drove out on the course around 6:50 AM to get a lay of the land, carefully adhering to the designated paths. There were two other rovers on the front nine at Sand Valley for stroke play: Doug Habel, Executive Director of Central Links Golf, and Greg Dunn. Doug and Gregg are both from Kansas City and great guys. We had a game plan and we executed it flawlessly. On Saturday, I was roving holes 1-3, Greg was covering 4-6, and Doug had 7-9. We rotated on Sunday to keep it fresh. It was not uncommon for us to take a hole in another zone if needed. For example, if one of us was occupied timing a group, we would communicate that over the radio, and the other two rovers would slide into coverage and help with rulings in a timely manner. The best rovers are flexible and fluid and it’s crucial to find a good perch and be able to get around the golf course efficiently when needed.
In the interest of time, I’ll share four rulings I made from Sand Valley:
Player attempted to move a bee away with his club and in the process accidentally caused his ball to move. The player knew exactly where the ball was at rest before he caused it to move and replaced it on the original spot after the ruling was given. The player notified his marker that a one stroke penalty was assessed. The player’s caddie did not think it was a penalty and asked, “what about Zach Johnson at The Masters?” To which I explained it was treated differently in the teeing area and on the putting green.
Player took back on the line relief for an unplayable ball left of #4 fairway. The ruling was issued as soon as the player requested it, but it took the player and caddie several minutes to determine where they wanted to drop the ball. The other players in the group played ahead while waiting on the player to take relief to help with pace of play.
MLR F-5 reads as the “the player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is on the line of play and is within two club-lengths of the putting green and within two club-lengths of the ball, but relief is only available when both the ball and the immovable obstruction lie in the general area in areas cut to fairway height or less. In this instance, the player had to drop twice because the ball rolled outside the relief area and then he placed the ball on the spot where it struck the ground on the second drop and it was able to remain at rest. The LGA included MLR F-5 on our hard card so that it’s never forgotten in case we need to utilize, but not every course has that condition close to the putting greens. If MLR F-5 isn’t in effect, then no relief is granted obviously.
Player’s ball hit from the greenside bunker hit another ball at rest on the green. The ball at rest was replaced on its original spot. I won’t call the player out here, but this appeared to be an example of back stopping.
I had to time five groups over the course of the two days at Sand Valley. Players typically understand that they are out of position when you notify them that they are about to be timed. There is an art form to broaching that conversation and the best spot to do is when they are walking off the tee. Sometimes, it becomes apparent who the culprit in the group is but other times it could just be poor play or a ruling / lost ball, etc. that causes a group to get out of position. Tee to green at Sand Valley is straightforward, but once players got on the greens that’s when the grind really started. Also, players get a warning before officially going on the clock and an opportunity to get back in position and on track. Normally the referee’s presence and awareness prompt a ready golf attitude.
On Sunday, I was stationed on the hill by the 5th tee which lets you see holes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. It’s a scenic spot and one of the highest points on the golf course. The par 3 5th hole was playing 160 yards and it is straight downhill. On Saturday, it played as the most difficult hole at Sand Valley, due in large part to the hole location on the middle-left side of the green. There’s a deep bunker to the left with wood stairs in it. The type of hole where it’s aim for the middle of the green, two putt, and get the heck out of there feeling good about par. If you missed the green, it was almost an impossible up and down.
One of the highlights from my time at Sand Valley was spending time with Superintendent Joe Jensen. I moved my cart to the area left of the green on # 5 to get a better view of how balls were reacting and where the players were trying to land their tee shots. Joe pulled up next to me sometime around 10 AM and he was really enjoying seeing his greens present the challenge to competitors. He said they had to hand water a few of the greens, including #5 in order to make it fair on Sunday.
You can just ask Louisiana Player of the Year Grady Brame, Jr. about that hole. Grady started his round on # 10 at Sand Valley in his second round of stroke play qualifying and he shot a blistering 31 on his opening nine holes. I was following the leaderboard on my phone and was proud of the way he playing. His dad Grady Sr. was on the bag. I think Grady, Jr. was in 2nd when he got to # 5 tee and sure enough his tee shot ended up in the bunker to the left of the green with a horrendous lie. He did well to get the ball out of the bunker with his second shot but it went over the green. He would go on to make a double bogey. He battled back for the remainder of his round, birdied # 8 and #9 and grabbed the six seed for match play. Impressive! I was fortunate to see Grady win his Round of 64 Match in 19 holes. He lost in the quarterfinals 3 and 2 to eventual champion Andrew Bailey of Cleveland. What a run from our POY!
Some other memorable highlights from my Sand Valley experience were the social events we were able to attend. USGA Regional Affairs hosted us for a social at the Lido Lodge on Monday evening, September 28. The Lido Lodge was incredible. Cozy and comfortable and luxurious and rustic at the same time. This was a great spot to unwind and enjoy the evening. There is also a Himalaya putting green and fire pit behind the Lodge.
Sand Valley had an efficient shuttle service, making it easy to get around the vast property. The Spotted Cows were cold and delicious. Yes, I had some cheese curds as well. The tacos at Craig’s Porch were only $1! We watched some of the Packers Thursday night game at the Mammoth Bar and then went outside on the back patio and sat by the fire pit and let the kids run around Mammoth under the moonlight and dance. Good vibes and good times all around at Sand Valley.
I did not get to see the Sand Box because it was being used as a practice area that week, and I only saw the holes at Mammoth Dunes that were close to the clubhouse. Sand Valley closed its golf courses a few weeks after the Mid-Amateur and in speaking with their staff, everyone understands it is a hard stop in Mid-October. I think it would be a great place to experience in the winter as well and hike all the trails. I can’t speak highly enough about Sand Valley and all it has to offer. It is a special place, and I’m grateful to have been a part of the 45th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.
About the Louisiana Golf Association
The Louisiana Golf Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and growing the game of golf across Louisiana. Founded in 1920, the LGA conducts state championships, provides USGA Handicap Index® services, and supports players of all ages through initiatives like the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour.
Media Contact:
Marketing & Communications
communications@lgagolf.org