Heath: shrubland habitat found mainly on free-draining infertile,
acidic soils and is characterised by open, low-growing woody vegetation.
Story and photos by Jason Bruno

Perhaps the most anticipated new entry in American golf destinations is Sand
Valley Golf Resort. Mike Keiser's latest golf utopia is located in the "Badger State"
in the Central Wisconsin town of Nekoosa. Earlier this summer we made our way
to Sand Valley to experience the latest golf treasure in a state that is quickly
becoming known for being one of the finest golf meccas in the world.
The over 1700 acres of rippling heathland naturescape that features sand dunes
usually only found on the coastlines of Scotland and Ireland is an idyllic setting
for golf. The property at Sand Valley is the type of site that course designers dream
their whole lives about, and having Keiser as the principal only amplifies the
pedigree. Already open for play is the course that bears the resort's name - Sand
Valley. Crafted by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (that officially opened on May 2nd
of this year), the course has trace elements of many of their other fine works,
most notably Bandon Trails and Sand Hills (although Trails does open and finish
along the gusty shores of Oregon's Pacific coast). About the only thing missing at
Sand Valley is the coastline.
David McLay Kidd's - Mammoth Dunes, which is now open for 9 holes of preview
play is something to behold, a brawny eclectic mix of designs that's inspired by
a renewed and re-energized original and his evolved thought process regarding
golf course architecture. MD is slated to officially open in the summer of 2018.

In true Mike Keiser style, the resort at Sand Valley is a natural and modest
setting that's ultra functional in all forms. Not unlike Bandon, the hardcore
linkster will truly appreciate the minimalist vibe here. The Clubhouse that
includes pro shop, restaurant and lodging had just opened the week before
we arrived, and although there were still a few details to be finished up, the
rooms, service and cuisine were spot on.

If an image tells a thousand words, than this one had me at hello. The
accommodations at the lodge are spacious and the views are grand. After
trekking 8 miles up and down the dunes of Sand Valley, it's important to
shift beyond the grind and experience comfort of the body and mind. No
detail was left unanswered, the beds are just right, the proper shower
(which is a key component of links recovery) which includes a sitting
bench. The in-room Keurig coffee machine is really convenient, and made
for a glorious morning. If that wasn't enough, the views of Mammoth Dunes
at sunset are priceless. Also, just in case you were wondering (and it's
likely you weren't), the carpet in the room rolls the perfect putting
speed of about a 10 on the stimp meter. Sometimes it's just the little
things, through multiple weather delays the flatstick was put to work.

The view from the back porch outside my clubhouse lodge accommodations
is of the first hole on the newest design at Sand Valley - David McLay Kidd's
Mammoth Dunes.

Another angle of the view from the back porch.

The Lake Leopold cottages are located between the clubhouse/lodge and
the first tee on the Coore/Crenshaw course.
(photo courtesy of Sand Valley Resort)

Craig's Porch overlooks the 1st and 10th tees and acts as a pre-round and
halfway house eatery. The 18th green also is situated just below, so a there's
another chance after the round to grab another brisket slider. You can't have
just one - they're absolutely delicious.

The hangout just below Craig's Porch is another ideal spot to soak in the setting
or just relax before or after the round. You can watch golfers play the first,
tenth, seventeenth and eighteenth holes from here.

New construction continues to emerge at Sand Valley. More lodging, a Coore/
Crenshaw short course and there are rumors of additional courses in the future
as well.
I'd really like to see Keiser branch out a bit and include a designer that he hasn't
worked with before like Jay Blasi (Chambers Bay), Michael Hurdzan (Erin Hills) or
even ASGCA President John Sanford (Ferry Point) - all very talented and highly
creative minds worthy of a site of this quality.
To say the central Wisconsin weather was uncooperative for golf and photography
would be a serious understatement. Numerous persistent thunderstorms pummeled
the area on day 1 of our visit, we only got in a total of 4 holes. Day 2 was an
exercise in patience and determination, after bolting first off the tee at 6:15 a.m,
we barely completed the front 9 before lightning and thunderstorms once again
blitzed the area, halting us for an additional 3 hours. Then finally, six hours
after teeing off, the 5 footer on the 18th dropped for birdie. After a quick bite, I
met Michael Keiser Jr, Glen Murray (the General Manager at SV), David McLay
Kidd and his globe trotting course design accomplice Casey Krahenbuhl. Kidd
then took me to get a preview of their work on Mammoth Dunes. A huge thrill
since I've been an admirer of David's work for quite some time. He was kind
enough to give me the grand tour and all the while looping the bag while we
discussed course philosophy and some of his prior work. It was an experience
any course design enthusiast would greatly appreciate (for a 30 year landscaper,
turf head and golf scribe, it was as good as it gets).
image courtesy of Sand Valley Resort

The par 4 - first at Mammoth Dunes
(coming soon) Our conversation with DMK in Bruno's Blog:
"A Mammoth Stroll with David McLay Kidd".
It should be noted that one of the best things about Sand Valley is the variety
and playability created by the designers here. The tips are a modest 6913 yards
at Sand Valley and the three shortest sets of tees: Green - 5557 yards, Silver -
4757 yards and Royal Blue at 3883 yards. In other words, it's super playable
for everyone who wants to play, but there is one catch - it's a walking only
facility with caddies readily available.

From the orange tees (6500 yards), the short par 4 - 1st hole plays just
325 yards. A slight right to left shaped shot with a fairway club is the play
here as the fairway falls off to the native area on the right. Nothing more
than a wedge for your approach. This is a welcoming starting hole and a
chance to post a red number on the card right out of the gate.
Image courtesy of Sand Valley Resort

At 395 yards, the dogleg right 2nd requires discipline. No more than a 230 yard
tee shot leaves you just short of the cross bunkers. An uphill semi-blind approach
shot to a severely sloped (back to front) green here on the 2nd hole will be the
first true test of the day. The miss here is short, anything missed pin high left or
right leaves a tough chance to get up and down.

The par 3 - 3rd is another example of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw's affinity
for the designs of C.B MacDonald and Seth Raynor. This modern day "Redan"
is 192 yards but plays shorter because it's slightly downhill and the crest of the
slope will feed the ball towards any hole location.

The par 5 - 4th is the longest hole on the course at 593 yards from the tips
(557 from the orange tees). It plays directly uphill so three accurate well
struck shots are required here. This particular hole design felt reminiscent
of one of Coore/Crenshaw's lesser known designs - the now deceased Sugarloaf
Mountain.

The 164 yard par 3 - 5th is a bit of a sleeper. The extreme elevation of the
tee makes it play far less than the actual yardage, but don't underestimate the
challenge here. Notice the far left pin position, it appears fairly innocent from this
view, but there is only a small area to land your ball or it will be repelled off the
green, requiring the touch of a brain surgeon to save par. A worthy short par 3.

The 455 yard par 4 -sixth was not only the toughest hole on the course, but
it was also one that impressed from a design perspective, but it likely won't
be a favorite of the masses. Why you ask? It doesn't have any real elevation
to speak of, or anything really unique visually, but it's a good old fashioned
strap it on golf hole that requires your absolute two best strikes to have a
chance at par.

I'm a big advocate of playing different tees during a given round, either to
accommodate your skill set or to create more buzz amongst your group on
a given hole. Many never even consider moving a box up (or back) to make
a given hole play more interesting. The sixth is a prime example, the big
hitter will welcome the exam, while the senior or high handicap player can
easily struggle here. The best players will take the bold line challenging the
left fairway bunker, while the recreational player will have to play around the
sand.

Notice the freshly cut green complex here on the sixth, we were making
good time trying to beat the weather. This 90 foot shortgame challenge
proved too much for my early morning bump and run skills. No par save
here. That's a championship golf hole.

The 536 yard par 5 - seventh tee sports an elongated bunker that runs
the entire length of the tee shot and then some.

As you get closer to the green, this linear fairway bunker guards the left
side and acts as a clever misdirection to the right as the fairway veers
back to the left. Easily one of the best designed sand complexes on the
front nine.

A closer look at the bunkering here on the 7th shows the minimalist
style that designers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are known for .

The green complex at the seventh and the predicament of a shortgame
grinder.

After the demanding sixth, the finishing three of the outward nine are
just a blast and offer legit opportunities to get healthy on the scorecard.
The short uphill eighth is no exception, it played 118 yards, requiring
nothing but a smooth and precise gap wedge.

This is the sight as you walk over the rise after putting out at the eighth,
the driveable downhill ninth might provide the biggest adrenaline rush on
the course. It played 281 yards to the front pin. After a decent drive I was
pin high left in the swale between the trees and bunkers and it took a pretty
creative pitch to get it on and walk out of there with a par.

Another view of the ninth, this one from the very top of the hill. You didn't come
all the way to the heartland to lay up, did you? The tees range from 150 yards to
305 yards, so there's a sensible risk/reward opportunity for everyone - so find the
tee box that gives you a chance and let it rip.

The green complex at the ninth.

The view of the 541 yard par 5 tenth from Craig's Porch. The line for big hitters is
directly over the center bunker.

The approach at the tenth shows the overall right to left tilt of the green
complex. The best angle to this green is from the left side allowing for
the ground game to be a factor.

It only plays 387 yards, but the eleventh demands respect and favors a
slight draw between the bunkers.

The green complex at the eleventh plays slightly uphill, anything short will be
repelled back down towards the fairway. Beyond the green, you can see the
mound and thick rough, leaving a slim chance to save par.

The photo from the back right side of the eleventh green shows the severe
tilt from back to front.

The sky was becoming threatening once again as I teed off at the short
par 5 - 12th. The aggressive line is over the trees in line with the white
tee markers, otherwise favor the right side.

With hundreds of acres of native sand visible at SV, this fairway cross bunker
at the twelfth is probably my favorite gnarled creation - it looks demonic and
spectacular all at the same time. Just magnificent stuff by the Cooore/Crenshaw
design squad. I'm thrilled to say that I didn't have to play out of it though.

And of course they follow it with yet another just a few yards closer to the green.

The 175 yard par 3 fourteenth felt like we were dropped off at Pine Valley, a
rugged beauty that is easily to be enamored with. Overall, the one shotters at
SV are top shelf and offer magnificent variety of design and length - one short
(8th), two medium (3 & 14) and one long (17). Here at the fourteenth, the two
levels require proper distance control to have a decent chance at birdie.

The tee on the dogleg left 451 yard par 4 sixteenth, easily the most
formidable on the inward side.

You can tell by the ominous sky that we were lucky to get this round in.
Stay out of this nasty bunker that guards the center of the fairway at the
sixteenth, it's a mandatory pitch out. Par on this hole is quite an achievement.

The "Punch Bowl" par 3 seventeenth is a beast. It played all of 226 yards to the
back flag location. Once again choose the appropriate box and torch your Sunday
best over the right mound and let the contours do the rest. Needing two birds
to get back to level, this was going to require something special.

If you're a fan of course design, you're likely to appreciate the green complex
here on the seventeenth, the slopes will assist in funneling even slightly errant
shots onto the elongated putting surface. From there the task has just begun.
Bent grass was a a good choice for the greens at SV, can't ever complain about
making a 3 here on this the toughest of the par 3's at Sand Valley.

The par 5 eighteenth is a fantastic finisher. Playing straight uphill at 507
yards from the orange tees. Avoid the fescue on the left, and the numerous
bunkers along the right side. Perhaps your two best swings will give you a
chance to walk off on a high note.

The bunkering around the eighteenth is vast, and luckily I managed to avoid it,
just clearing the sand with a 3 wood. I couldn't resist capturing this image from
about 50 yards out. A successful up and down for birdie 4 from just in front of
the green made lunch taste just bit sweeter.
image courtesy of Sand Valley Resort


Breakfast, lunch, dinner or anything in between, the Mammoth Terrace (above)
and Mammoth Bar & Grill is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the Heathland
views, and delicious food and spirits.
An Ode to Keiser
As I headed east towards Erin Hills to cover the spectacle that is the U.S Open, it
dawned on me - It's a great time to be golfer, especially in North America, and a
lion's share of that is due in large part to one man - Mike Keiser. It's not just the
golf landscapes like Bandon, Cabot and Sand Valley that he has founded through
his vision and resources, but it's also his incredible conservation efforts like the Wild
Rivers Coast Alliance and the native foliage and plant life he preserves and strictly
demands the same of his course designers on each and every parcel of the properties
that have become links sanctuaries to us all. What he does with his influence and
passion is create and preserve the things that are most sacred - experiences with
nature. Consistently, Keiser makes things better than he found them and surrounds
himself with talented people who share the vision that bonds passionate golfers
that prefer golf in it's most pure and raw state. When he was once asked "What
would you like your legacy in golf to be?" Keiser answered: "He built golf courses
that withstood the test of time."
I think we can safely check that box. For that, I say Thank You Mr.Keiser . . .

Fee structure for golf at Sand Valley is extremely reasonable:
Ranging from Mon-Wed $85 (low season) - $150 (high season) resort guest
Thurs-Sun $105 (low season) - $195 (high season) resort guest
Mon-Wed $95 (low season) - $175 (high season) day guest
Thurs-Sun $125 (low season) - $215 (high season) day guest
*Replay rates are 50% off posted rates.
9 hole Preview Play now available on Mammoth Dunes (image courtesy of Sand Valley Resort)

Mammoth Dunes par 3 -16th

*Just announced (8/15) - New Coore & Crenshaw Short Course
will begin a complimentary 6-hole loop that will be available for
lodging guests staying Sept. & Oct. 2017.
Also the Heathland Cup will take place Sept. 2nd-4th, 2017 -
54 holes Best Ball Tournament
For more information: http://www.sandvalleygolfresort.com/
By Jason Bruno
Heath: shrubland habitat found mainly on free-draining infertile,
acidic soils and is characterised by open, low-growing woody vegetation.

Perhaps the most anticipated new entry in American golf destinations is Sand
Valley Golf Resort. Mike Keiser's latest golf utopia is located in the "Badger State"
in the Central Wisconsin town of Nekoosa. The over 1700 acres of rippling heathland
naturescape features sand dunes usually only found on the coastlines of Scotland
and Ireland, not in a land locked mid-western setting. Already open for play is the
original layout crafted by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (that officially opened on May
2nd of this year), and David McLay Kidd's - Mammoth Dunes, which is now open for
9 holes of preview play (the Grand Opening will take place likely in July of '18). Earlier
this summer we made our way to the resort to experience the latest golf treasure in
a state that is quickly becoming known for being one of the best golf meccas in the
world.

In true Mike Keiser style, Sand Valley exudes a natural and modest atmosphere
that's ultra functional in all forms. Not unlike Bandon, the hardcore linkster will
truly appreciate the minimalist vibe of Sand Valley. The lodge had just opened
the week before we arrived, and although there were still final details to be finished
up, the rooms, service and cuisine were spot on.

If an image tells a thousand words, than this one had me at hello. The accommodations
at the lodge are spacious and the views are grand. After trekking 8 miles up and down
the dunes of Sand Valley, it's important to shift beyond the grind and experience comfort
of the body and mind. No detail was left unanswered - the beds are just right, the
proper shower, which is a key component of physical recovery, included a sitting bench
in the shower (a wonderful idea that aided in feet/leg recovery). The in-room Keurig
coffee machine is really convenient, and made for a happy morning. Just in case you
were wondering (and it's likely you weren't), the carpet in the room rolls the perfect
putting speed of about a 10 on the stimp meter.

The view from the back porch outside my lodge accommodations is of
the first hole on the newest design at Sand Valley - David McLay Kidd's
Mammoth Dunes.

Another angle from outside our room.

The Lake Leopold cottages are located between the clubhouse/lodge and
the first tee on the Coore/Crenshaw course.
(photo courtesy of Sand Valley Resort)

Craig's Porch overlooks the 1st and 10th tees and acts as a pre-round and
halfway house eatery. The 18th green also is situated just below, so a there's
another chance after the round to grab another brisket slider. You can't have just
one - delicious.

The hangout just below Craig's Porch is an ideal spot to soak in the setting
or just relax before or after the round. You can watch golfers play the first,
tenth, seventeenth and eighteenth holes from here.

New construction continues to emerge at Sand Valley. More lodging,
a Coore/Crenshaw short course and McLay Kidd's Mammoth Dunes
which takes full flight in 2018. There are rumors of additional courses
in the future as well. Would love to see Keiser branch out a bit and include
designers that he hasn't worked with before like Jay Blasi, Michael Hurdzan
or even ASGCA President John Sanford - all very talented and highly creative
minds worthy of a site of this quality.
My only beef with the visit was with mother nature, to say the Central Wisconsin
weather was uncooperative for golf and photography would be a serious
understatement. Numerous persistent thunderstorms pummeled the area on
day 1 of our visit offering no quarter, we were granted a total of 4 holes. Day 2
was an exercise in patience, after starting first off the tee at 6:15 a.m, I barely
completed the front 9 before lightning and thunderstorms once again blitzed the
area before halting us for an additional 3 hours.
Then finally the last putt on the Coore/Crenshaw course dropped for birdie
6 hrs after we teed off at 6:15 am. After a quick bite, I met up David McLay
Kidd to discuss and preview his new Mammoth Dunes layout. See our Bruno's
Blog section for "A Mammoth Stroll with David McLay Kidd".
Before we feature the course, it should be noted that one of the best things
about Sand Valley is the variety and playability created by Coore/Crenshaw
(and David Kidd). The tips are a modest 6913 yards on the CC course and the
three shortest sets of tees are Green - 5557 yards, Silver - 4757 yards and
Royal Blue 3883 yards. In other words, if you can walk and swing a club you
can play Sand Valley. Kudos to that . . .

From the orange tees (6500 yards), the short par 4 - 1st hole plays just
325 yards. A slight right to left shaped shot with a fairway club is the play
here as the fairway falls off to the native area on the right. Nothing more
than a wedge for your approach.

At 395 yards, the dogleg right 2nd requires discipline. No more than a 230 yard
tee shot leaves you just short of the cross bunkers (shown above). An uphill semi-
blind approach shot to a severly sloped green (back right to bottom left) will be
the first true test of the day. The miss here is short, anything missed pin high
left or right leaves a brutal chance to get up and down.

The par 3 - 3rd is another example of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw's affinity
for the designs of C.B MacDonald and Seth Raynor. This modern day "Redan"
is 192 yards but plays shorter because it's slightly downhill and the crest of the
slope will feed the ball towards any hole location. I executed the shot to the top
of the slope and it played exactly as it was designed feeding across the green
leaving an uphill 15 footer. Be careful to not overcook a draw into the left bunker,
the native sand is a true hazard at SV.

The par 5 - 4th is the longest hole on the course at 593 yards from the tips
(557 from the orange tees). It plays directly uphill so three accurate well
struck shots are required here. This particular hole design felt reminiscent
of Coore/Crenshaw's prior work at Sugarloaf Mountain.

The 164 yard par 3 - 5th is a bit of a sleeper. The extreme elevation of the
tee makes it plays far less than the actual yardage, but don't underestimate the
challenge here. Notice the far left pin position, it appears fairly innocent from this
view, but there is about a 6 foot circle to land your ball or else it will be repelled
in nearly every direction. This hole location offers perhaps the greatest amount of
slope of perhaps any on the course. A great short par 3.

The 455 yard par 4 -sixth was not only the toughest hole on the course, but
it was also one that impressed from a design perspective, but it likely won't
be a favorite of the masses. I'm a big advocate of playing eclectic tees during
a given round, either to accommodate your skill set or to create more buzz
amongst your group on a given hole. The 6th is a prime example, the big hitter
will welcome the exam, while the senior or high handicap player can get
bludgeoned on a brute like the sixth. The better player will take the bold line
challenging the left fairway bunker, while the recreational player will have to
play around the hazard. In other words, choose your tee box wisely.

6th

A closer view of the sixth shows the 6th fairway bunker and large greenside
sand that guards the right half of the green.

Notice the freshly cut green complex here on the sixth, I was the first one
on the course and was setting a blistering pace of play. After a big tee shot
and a less than mediocre approach, this 90 foot shortgame test was presented
(and failed to be executed successfully).

The 536 yard par 5 - seventh tee

This linear fairway bunker guards the left side and acts as a clever misdirection
to the shortgrass tha trails to the left.

A closer look at the bunkers at SV shows off Bill Coore's minimalist style.
Many of the Sand Valley's hole designs will remind fans of their fine work
at Bandon Trails.

The green complex at the seventh.

The front nine at SV is about as memorable as any we've experienced in
recent memory, a super mix of short/long, challenging and fun. After the
demanding sixth, the finishing three of the outward nine are just a blast,
and offer legit opportunities to get healthy on the scorecard. The short uphill
eighth is no exception - it played 118 yards, requiring nothing but a smooth
and precise wedge.

The driveable downhill ninth may be the most fun design on the course. It
played 281 yards to the front pin, which is just about at my maximum for
the big stick, so we had to have a go. What a hole! I was pin high left in the
swale between the trees and bunkers and it took a pretty creative pitch to
get out of there with a par.

Another view of the ninth, you didn't come all the way to Nekoosa to lay up,
with tees ranging from 150 yards to 305 yards there's risk/reward opportunity
for everyone - so find the tee box that gives you a chance and let it rip.

The green complex at the ninth.

The view of the 541 yard par 5 tenth from Craig's Porch. The line for big hitters is
directly over the center bunker.

The approach at the tenth shows the overall right to left tilt of the green
complex. The best angle to this green is from the left side allowing for
the ground game to be a factor.

It only plays 387 yards, but the eleventh demands respect and a slight draw between the bunkers.

The green complex at the eleventh plays slightly uphill, anything short will be
repelled back down the towards the fairway. Beyond the green, you can see
the mound and thick rough, leaving a slim chance to save par.

The photo from the back right side of the eleventh green shows the severe
tilt from back to front.

12th tee

With hundreds of acres of native sand visible at SV, this fairway cross bunker
at the twelfth is probably my favorite gnarled creation - it looks demonic and
spectacular all at the same time. Just magnificent stuff by the Cooore/Crenshaw
design squad. Having stated such, I'm thrilled to say that I didn't have to play
out of it.

And of course they follow it with yet another just a few yards closer to the green.

The 175 yard par 3 fourteenth felt like we were dropped off at Pine Valley, a
rugged beauty that is easily to be enamored with. Overall, the one shotters at
SV are a top shelf and offer magnificent variety of design and length - one short
(8th), two medium (3 & 14) and one long (17). Here at the fourteenth, the two
levels require proper distance control to have a decent chance at birdie.

15

The tee on the dogleg left 451 yard par 4 sixteenth, easily the most formidable on the inward side.

You can tell by the ominous sky that we were lucky to get this round in
(and this was after a nearly 2 1/2 hour delay between each nine). Stay
out of this nasty bunker at all costs, located dead center in the middle
of the fairway at the sixteenth. Par on this hole is quite an achievement.

The "Punch Bowl" par 3 seventeenth is a beast. It played all of 226 yards to the
back flag location. Torch your Sunday best over the right mound and the contours
will do the rest. Needing two birds to get back to level, this was going to require
something special.

If you're a fan of course design, you're likely to appreciate the green complex
here on the seventeenth, the slopes will assist in funneling even slightly errant
shots onto the putting surface, but from there the task has just begun. There are
numerous ripples waves and knobs in this green that quickly have you realizing
that the the strike from the tee was perhaps the easy step.

The par 5 eighteenth is a fantastic finisher. Playing straight uphill at 507
yards from the orange tees. Avoid the trouble, and perhaps your two best
swings will give you a chance to walk off on high note.

The bunkering around the eighteenth is vast, and luckily I managed to avoid it,
but couldn't resist capturing this image from 50 yards out. A successful up and
down from just in font of this green made lunch taste just bit sweeter.


Breakfast, lunch, dinner or anything in between, the Mammoth Terrace (above)
and Mammoth Bar & Grill is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the Heathland
views, and delicious food and spirits.
An Ode to MK
As I headed east towards Erin Hills to cover the circus that is the U.S Open, it
dawned on me - It's a great time to be golfer, especially in North America, and a
lion's share of that is due in large part to one man - Mike Keiser. It's not just the golf
landscapes like Bandon, Cabot and Sand Valley that he has founded through his
vision and resources, but it's also his incredible conservation efforts like the Wild
Rivers Coast Alliance and the native foliage and natural plant life preserves that he
demands his course designers protect on each and every parcel of the properties
that have become links sanctuaries to us all. What he does with his influence and
Passion is create and preserve the things that we often don't appreciate enough.
He consistently makes things better than he found them and surrounds himself
with talented people who share the vision that bonds lovers of golf in it's most
minimal state. Even the most humble leaders of industry need to be acknowledged,
for they are rare and irreplaceable. Thank You Mr.Keiser . . .
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