The Sand Trap joins community and wants to make them proud
Pete and Laura Peterson are the new owners of The Sand Trap, the golf course, campground, and bar and grill, formerly known as Uncle Salty’s and Twin Oaks, in Holcombe. Photo by Julia Wolf
By Julia Wolf
The Sand Trap golf course is under a new name, and new owners Pete and Laura Peterson look to make the business their own.
Formerly known as Uncle Salty’s, and before that, Twin Oaks, the Holcombe business, located on 270th Ave, west of State Hwy. 27, is open for business.
The couple purchased the nine-hole golf course, campground, and bar and grill Oct. 26, and opened for the season May 1. However, the winter wasn’t downtime, as they spent time remodeling the space. Pete says they made a lot of changes since they bought the place.
“The kitchen previously was in the pavilion,” said Laura. “So, we built-in the kitchen in the clubhouse.”
They also did a facelift of the clubhouse space, in general. The Petersons also built a golf shed out front and spent time replacing equipment, after a fire destroyed the garage last year.
“Obviously, our focus is the golf course,” said Laura. Pete says his goal for the business is to grow their leagues. “I would like to have a women’s league,” said Pete. Laura says she is not a golfer, so is not one to judge what a golf course should look like, but has heard from a lot of people that the course is looking fabulous this year. Pete and Laura attribute that to the staff, and groundskeepers, who do upkeep around the course and keep the business running.
“We’re just the support team behind it,” said Pete. “They’re the ones who do the grunt work of it.”
The Sand Trap also features an extended bar menu, with starters, burgers and sandwiches available.
“Fish fry is our big thing,” said Laura.
Laura says their employee, Grant, does a lot of fun specials and people seem to enjoy them.
The pavilion is also available for party and event rentals. Laura says, now that they have a tiny bit more time, they are trying to get that portion of the business off the ground. The Sand Trap can also cater for events held in the pavilion, if it is requested, and she says the menu is flexible.
The campground is set up the same as it previously was, with 42 permanent sites.
Laura says this is their learning year, and they are getting in the swing of things.
She and Pete came to the Holcombe area, from Chippewa Falls, to open the course and be a part of the community.
“People are just so, so wonderful,” said Laura. “I just can’t get over how nice everybody is.”
Pete says he hopes they make the community proud to have the establishment in Holcombe. At the end of the day, Pete says that community support is what keeps the business strong.
Laura says they started with the idea of owning a campground and looked all over, including along the Mississippi River. She says they saw a lot of potential in the golf course, so they decided to go for it.
“Never in a million years, did I think I’d have a golf course or a restaurant, or any of that,” said Laura.
The Sand Trap is open, during the week, 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. On the weekends, the hours are 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. The best way to set up a tee time, is to call the course, at 715-517-1110.
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The map of the Holcombe flowage, emblazoned with The Sand Trap’s name, is a new addition to the clubhouse area of the golf course. The clubhouse also underwent a facelift, with the kitchen moved to the clubhouse from the pavilion. Photo by Julia Wolf[/caption]
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The pavilion at The Sand Trap is available for party rentals. Catering is also available for events held in the pavilion, if requested. Photo by Julia Wolf[/caption]
