Tagalong Golf and Resort: Birchwood

Few people would guess that a footnote in U.S. golf history took place at Tagalong Golf and Resort on the shores of Red Cedar Lake in northwestern Wisconsin. When the grand opening was held Aug. 25, 1925, at the private playground for millionaire businessman Frank Stout, the reigning U.S. Open and British Open golf champions were brought in for an exhibition. American Willie McFarlane defeated Briton "Long" John Barnes to christen Stout's links-style layout as a crowd of 250 people watched.

Today you can play those original nine holes, complete with their deep, greenside grass bunkers (grass was brought in from Scotland), along with a recently added second nine, making it a forgiving par 71,6,035 yards.

After Stout died, the course became a cow pasture in the 1940s. It was resurrected in the 1960s. The original layout was preserved, along with a quaint cedar-shingled and stone clubhouse that now is part of a larger clubhouse and adjacent resort overlooking Red Cedar Lake.

Tagalong is a laid-back vacation course requiring some unusual shots, offering a few birdie holes and a quiet, lakeside setting.

You can rent a cottage or condo at Tagalong, or stay on the lake at Stout's Island Lodge-on the Island of Happy Days-and take a ferry to the course. Before the golf course was designed, in 1903 Stout built a 31-room Adirondack-style lodge for $1.5 million as a family retreat. His island home and home course still are going strong.