For over 80 years the golfing world has been deprived of the Lido. It has only existed in the murky waters of golf architecture lore. But just like Rocky in a title fight, or a zombie during the apocalypse, it is coming back from the dead. The Lido isn’t ready for golf just quite yet, but that’s ok. We need a moment to understand what the Lido is and why it is going to be the biggest unveiling in golf course design in 2022 and 2023.
While the new Lido is being constructed By Tom Doak in the middle of Wisconsin at Sand Valley Golf Resort, the original Lido was built by Charles Blair Macdonald with help from Seth Raynor on Long Island New York during World War 1. When it opened in 1917, not only was it heralded as one of the finest designs in America bu the Lido was also one of the first golf courses that required a herculean man made effort to create. The construction team managed to move 2 million cubic tons of sand in order to create their Lido masterpiece. A feat at the time that was bareley even conceivable. The result was one of the world’s greatest golf courses.
“The finest course in the world.”
Sadly, the US Navy occupied the land during World War II and the golf course was eventually lost due to military operations. Today the original Lido is buried beneath a mixture of homes, schools and roads. Long Beach High School sits atop the old 16th and the former clubhouse is now a condominium complex.
The good news for golf fans is that the memory of it’s splendor has been preserved by golf historians. Specifically, a historian named Peter Flory spent 3 years researching the details of the Lido and was able to generate a 3D model of the original golf course. All of this information has been shared with Tom Doak, providing him with all of the necessary information for a precise re-creation of the original design. All 6,582 yards of the Lido will be brought back to life.
The Lido will open as a private golf club in affiliation with Sand Valley Golf Resort. The details have yet to be solidified, but the plan is to provide limited access to Sand Valley guests during weekdays. The Lido is scheduled to only be partially finished by the time snow falls in Wisconsin this year. Completion is scheduled for 2022 with some preview play available and a full opening for the 2023 season. The plan to allow partial access to the public gives me great satisfaction.
FUN FACT SECTION
Similar to the “Armchair Architect” contest that was run by David McLay Kidd at Mammoth Dunes in 2016, a design competition was created to help design the 18th hole on the original Lido in 1914. An aspiring young golf architect named Alister Mackenzie won that competition and just like the original Lido, his design of the 18th hole will come to life in Wisconsin. Mackenzie would go on to create world renowned golf courses like Cypress Point and Augusta National. The word is still out on Brian Silvernail’s future in golf.
While every new golf course in America generates a certain level of excitement, the enthusiasm for the return of The Lido is at a level that I have yet to experience. Perhaps it’s an anticipation that only lost treasure can generate. While it may not be the secret treasure of the Knights Templar or the sunken San Miguel, I can guarantee a reaction similar to when Brand got his first glimpse of One Eyed Willy’s pirate ship.
