The Lido Lives: Legendary course reborn 1,000 miles from original site

If you want to get hearts racing in golf architecture circles, mention The Lido, a long-lost Long Island course.

Designed by the Golden Age great C.B. MacDonald, it opened for play in 1917, a masterwork held in the same lofty regard as Pine Valley, Shinnecock Hills and National Golf Links.

As time wore on, though, The Lido’s fortunes fell. During World War II, it went under for good, its land taken over by the U.S. Navy. 

Decades passed. And The Lido faded into lore.

But now, it’s being made real again.

Credit for its revival goes to Michael and Chris Keiser, the sons of Bandon Dunes founder, Mike Keiser, and the operators of Sand Valley Resort, in Wisconsin. 

On a sprawling parcel across the road from Sand Valley, the Keiser brothers have commissioned Tom Doak and Renaissance Golf to recreate The Lido, with every contour of the original reproduced within a fraction of an inch.

This is not an homage to The Lido. It’s a faithful replica, transported from Long Island to the sand barrens of the Badger State.

Drawing on century-old records and contemporary 3-D modeling, the work has been painstaking, but it’s nearly complete. The Lido will operate as a private club, with limited tee times available to the public through Sand Valley Resort. Nine holes are now open for preview play, with a grand opening set for 2023. 

For a sneak peak, check out the video above, with descriptions of each hole provided by Michael Keiser.