Straits golf course at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

The Straits Course at Whistling Straits is a public golf course in Sheboygan, Wis. along the shores of Lake Michigan. This former airfield was the vision of Herb Kohler, president and chairman of the Kohler Company, who hired revered course architect Pete Dye to design the course.

Though only open since 1998, the Straits Course already has hosted the 2004 and 2010 PGA Championships, as well as the 2007 U.S. Senior Open. In 2015 it hosts another PGA Championship and it's also the stage for the 2020 Ryder Cup.

At 7,514 yards from the longest set of tees the Straits is menacingly long, but its most intimidating attribute may actually be its bunkers, which are too numerous to count (the best estimate is 1,000, or an average of 55 per hole).

The Straits is home to several dozen Scottish Blackfaced Sheep, which Kohler imported from Scotland to give the course an authentic feel.

The Straits is one of two golf courses on this site, the other is the Irish Course, which is also designed by Dye and opened in 2000.

Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - hole 3

Fog rolls across the third green on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - hole 2

A look back down the fairway of the the par-5 second hole at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - hole 6

The short par-4 sixth hole at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits features a narrow, 6-foot-deep bunker.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - hole 8

The par-3 eighth hole at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - hole 9 tee

The ninth tee at the Straits Course offers a view of the Whistling Straits clubhouse.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - bridge

A bridge over troubled water at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - trees

One of the few trees on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits sits mainly out of play behind the ninth and 18th greens.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - benches

Wooden benches provide a great glimpse up the 10th fairway at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - patio

An outdoor patio area offers great views of the ninth and 18th greens on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - 9th green

A view across the 18th fairway to the ninth green on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wis.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - hole 11

No. 11 at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits is a long par 5 with trouble just about everywhere – especially right.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - bunkers

One of many interesting bunkers on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wis.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - sheep

Three Scottish Blackface Sheep graze near the 11th green at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits.

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Straits GC at Whistling Straits - sheep

Up close and personal with a Scottish Blackface Sheep at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits.

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Straits GC at Whistling Straits - hole 12

At 166 yards from the tips "Pop Up" is the shortest hole at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits, but it's protected by a large, undulating green.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - hole 17

No. 17 on the Straits Course is nicknamed "Pinched Nerve" and is one of the most scenic spots at Whistling Straits.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - hole 18 sign

The par-4 18th hole, nicknamed "Dyeabolical," pays homage to Pete Dye, the architect of the Straits Course at Whistling Straits.

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Straits golf course at Whistling Straits - stone bridge

Before reaching the 18th green on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits, golfers must traverse a narrow path toward a stone bridge.

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