With the golf world setting up a massive stage in a small Wisconsin village and the word “Kohler” about to dominate our viewing of the upcoming Ryder Cup, it is worth a quick study of this golf mecca.

Founded over 100 years ago as the company town for Kohler Co., Kohler, Wis., is a village in Sheboygan County and while you might not expect to find a five-star, five-diamond resort in this area, you’d be wrong.

The American Club Resort Hotel began life as a dormitory for migrant plant workers. In the late 1970’s, Herb Kohler, the president, chairman, and master visionary of the Kohler Co., had the idea to convert the dormitory into a luxury boutique hotel.

Enamored with golf, Kohler brought in the incomparable Pete Dye to design championship courses for his resort. At Blackwolf Run near The American Club, Dye created two courses, the River and the Meadow Valleys which were completed by 1990. By 1998, Dye had designed two other courses at Whistling Straits (The Straits and The Irish) 10 miles north of the hotel.

Given their reputations as big, brawny, links-like courses that were on golfers’ must-play list, Kohler – for years connected to quality plumping supplies – is now synonymous with world-class golf hospitality and from various visits to the resort and its courses, I would endorse all the plaudits. It is a remarkable and rewarding destination.

Of course, there is the elephant in the room that must be addressed: Golf at The American Club is expensive, especially The Straits, which will host the upcoming Ryder Cup and has Pebble Beach-level green fees – $575 during our visit earlier this summer (it includes a base fee for the caddie).

The Straits is walking-only, no exceptions. Given that obstacle, as well as the price point, a round at The Straits will not appeal to everyone. But to those who still want in, prepare for a very special treat.

Dye took a relatively flat piece of ground located hard on the banks of Lake Michigan and turned it into a links-like wonderland. Yes, it can be difficult. Major championships are not hosted at easy courses but play the proper tees and you will have an enjoyable test.

The Straits features a terrific variety of designs, spectacular views of Lake Michigan, impeccable conditioning, and a staff that is genuinely committed to making sure you have a great experience. Sticker shock aside, The Straits is a walk every golfer would almost certainly enjoy.

Minus the dramatic vista of Lake Michigan, The Irish is also enjoyable and it, too, offers a variety of design features.

Lost in the glare of the 2021 Ryder Cup and PGA Championships that were held at The Straits in 2004, 2010, and 2015, is the all-around strength of Kohler’s original destination, Blackwolf Run.

The River Course is widely considered to be as fun and challenging as The Straits and while Meadow Valleys might be viewed as the fourth-best course at the resort, ignore that ranking. Meadow Valleys would be the star attraction at any number of other resorts in the country.

(Not to be totally overlooked, Blackwolf Run hosted a pair of U.S. Women’s Opens, in 1998 when the world first met the great Se Ri Pak, and in 2012. For the championship course, officials chose a combination of holes from the River and Meadow Valleys.)

Golf courses always invite spirited debate, but at Kohler’s golf playground, there’s near-unanimous acclaim for the quality of the American Club, where options are plentiful.

The Immigrant Wine Bar and Restaurant is a dining highlight, and the Wisconsin Room will also not disappoint. For a more causal evening, the Horse and Plough Tavern is where you can get a great burger and beer on tap while watching a game and talking golf in a friendly setting.

A very comfortable yet slightly more economical option for lodging can be found next door at the Inn on Woodlake. Should you have a connection, the private Riverbend Club has both accommodations and dining that is exquisite. The building was the original estate of the Kohler family when Walter Kohler served as Governor of Wisconsin in the 1920’s.

Located about 60 miles northwest of Milwaukee and roughly a two-hour drive from Chicago, the village of Kohler is not difficult to get to. Tickets to the Ryder Cup are difficult, however, so best to sit back and savor the television production.

You’ll see plenty of reasons why you might want to start planning your own experience in Kohler as soon as possible.

Kevin Patterson is a lifelong Massachusetts resident who has worked in golf most of his professional life. He’s Vice-President and CEO of The Duhamel Group and has coordinated tournaments and golf trips to many of the world’s premier destinations – yes, even to these heralded spots he writes about.