Wisonsinites are known for their kindness, right? Think Bon Iver, Steve Stricker, Gene Wilder—you get the idea. Well, Clark Willard, now the head golf professional at The Lido Golf Club, part of Sand Valley Resort in Wisconsin, has that positive vibe. Though not native, it makes him a great fit for the State.
Willard found religion (so to speak) in hickory golf. Like so many, the connection to history and the allure of the game—as it was meant to be played—got its claws into him. Now he’s in a unique position to spread the word about the sport, and he’s delivering on that mission in spades.
Clark set up a hickory golf workshop right in the pro shop at The Lido, and he encourages guests and members alike to have a go with the antique relics of the past. Whether first-timer or semi-pro golfer, all are welcome, and all Willard cares about is opening the gateway to experience a piece of the tradition and history of the game.
In this episode, we talk about his career path through several years at Pacific Dunes in Oregon, to its “sister resort” in Nekoosa, replete with layouts from Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Doak, Brian Schneider, David McLay Kidd and others. Sound familiar? Oh yeah…Sand Valley is also owned and managed by the Kaiser family, sons Michael and Chris.
Clark talks about his admiration for Old Tom Morris and his recent foray into agronomy and golf course maintenance in the last year, as well as the founding of Hickory Revival, focused on keeping the feeling of hickory golf going. They do this through research, playing, collecting, sharing, and reviving pre-1935 sticks, all part of Clark becoming one of the most well-rounded pros in the game today.
