On the western shore of Lake Michigan, sits Kohler, Wisconsin. Home of Kohler Company, the Midwest's only AAA five-diamond resort hotel (the American Club) and some pretty fancy golf courses.

The publication Club & Resort Business ran an article on Kohler and their involvement in the golf and hospitality industry.  Everyone probably knows about Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run.  Great golf courses that host bigtime tournaments.

What was more fascinating is that Kohler, although founded as a bathroom fixture company, is investing in Destination Kohler, its hospitality division.  In addition to its Wisonsin properties, it also owns Old Course Hotel at St. Andrews and the Duke's Champion course.  From the article:

Even with this scope of investment in both time and space, however, another unusual aspect of how Kohler Co. is seeking to reshape the resort business is the clear emphasis on ensuring the right long-term results, as opposed to trying to make a quick kill. “There’s no directive to open two, three or four new resorts in a year, or on any other timetable,” says Jim Richerson, Group Director of Golf for the Hospitality & Real Estate Group. “It could be three in the next two years, or a single one in the next five. The only specific goal is to be the industry leader.

“The resources that Kohler can put behind hospitality and golf are really unprecedented,” Richerson adds. “It’s unique to have a global company that’s still family-run and so passionate about golf, and that has such a clear view of how high-end golf resorts can fit in with their other businesses and brands.”

Destination Kohler has hired some bigtime management and appears to have big plans for adding to its hospitality and resort porfolio.