golf guide
WHERE TO PLAY? If you?re coming for PGA, be sure to bring your sticks By JERRY SLASKE KeyMilwaukee.com Golf Editor ATTENDING THE 92nd PGA Championship at Whistling Straits – August 9-15? Why not treat yourself to a round or two at any number of fine courses that are close by or just off the route to Whistling Straits? Wisconsin is fast becoming one of America’s golf meccas – after all, how many states can boast of hosting (in some cases, multiple times) the PGA Championship, US Open, Ryder Cup, US Senior Men’s Open, US Women’s Open, among others – and it has the courses to prove it.
Several favorites that are convenient to Whistling Straits include: Autumn Ridge – One Straight Drive in Valders (about 10 miles west of I-43 and 18 miles north of Sheboygan, exit Highway 151 in Manitowoc) 920- 758-3333 www.autumnridgegolfcourse.com: Don’t let the distance from the tips fool you (6,027 yards), this course is like riding a roller coaster through trees. It’s a wild ride, but lots of fun. You had better be accurate. A Wisconsin gem, in the middle of nowhere. $$ Blackwolf Run – 1111 W. Riverside Dr. in Kohler (about one mile west of I-43, exit Highway 23 or #126) 800-344-2838 www.destinationkohler.com: The other two courses (River & Meadow Valleys) in the Kohler quartet are more of Pete Dye’s genius. Blackwolf will again host the US Women’s Open in 2012. Personally, I like the Meadow Valleys. $$$$$ The Bull at Pinehurst Farms – One Long Drive (about three miles west of I-43 on Highway 28 in Sheboygan Falls, exit Highway 28 or #123) 920-467- 1500 www.golfthebull.com: This Jack Nicklaus Signature Course will have you asking yourself, “Does golf get any better – or tougher?” It’s all here: great conditions, great layout, and great service. Small greens, elevation changes, and plenty of water and trees. Not a weak hole in the bunch so you had better bring your A-game…or, barring that, lots of balls. $$$$ The Bog – 3121 County Road I (about three miles west of I-43, north of Milwaukee in Saukville, exit Highway 33) 262-284-7075 www.golfthebog.com: An Arnold Palmer course, it is exactly what the name implies. Bring you’re A-game and you’ll feel as if you just conquered Mt. Everest. Lose your focus and it’s like being caught in a dream where you’re trying to run but can’t because you’re bogged down. Woods, wetlands, wildlife, and a wonderful experience. $$$$ Brown Deer – 7835 N. Green Bay Rd. (about two miles west of I-43 on Milwaukee’s northeast side, exit Good Hope Road) 414-352-8080 www.county.milwaukee.gov: Until this year, this was a regular stop on the PGA tour in the form of the US Bank Championship. It’s the course where Tiger Woods turned pro. Stay in the fairways and you have a chance in this parkland setting highlighted by mature trees and tough rough. $$$$ Fire Ridge – 2241 Highway W (visible on the west side of I-43, north of Milwaukee in Grafton, exit #93) 262-375-2252 www.fireridgegc.com A solid championship course and great conditions. Hard to find any weaknesses, although some might argue that #18 is a bit goofy. I consider it a fitting end to a challenging round. $$$ Hawthorne Hills – 4720 County Road I (about 3.5 miles north of The Bog (see above), exit Highway 33 262-692-2151 www.co.ozaukee.wi.us : An Ozaukee County course in a park-like setting highlighted by large, well-maintained greens that will challenge all player levels and allow you to use every club in the bag. $$ Quit Qui Oc – 500 Quit Qui Oc Lane in Elkhart Lake (about 18 miles west of Sheboygan, exit I-43 at Highway 28) 920-876-2833 www.quitquioc.com: Don’t let the fact that you can’t pronounce the name stop you from playing this rolling, tree-lined demanding course. A target golfer’s paradise is highlighted by small pedestal greens on many holes. By the way, the name means “crooked river” in the Menominee language. $$ Whispering Springs – 389 Whispering Springs, Fond du Lac (35 miles west of Sheboygan on Hwy. 23) 920-921-8053 – www.whisperingspringsgolf.com: It’s not an understatement to call this course one of the state’s hidden gems. Conditions are impeccable and the layout is just short of spectacular. You won’t find a better 9th or 18th hole anywhere. Also one of the state’s best values. $$ Erin Hills – 7169 County Road O in Erin (about 35 northwest of Milwaukee) 262-670-8600 www.erinhills.com: A bit out of the way if you’re going to the PGA Championship, Erin Hills will host the 2017 U.S. Open and it is now open to the public. Golf and pull carts not permitted. $$$$$ Rates key:
$ < $30; $$=$30-50; $$$=$50-$75;
$$$$= $75-$125; $$$$$ >$125
Rates at some courses could change during the
PGA Championship. Golf Article Archives: |
SPECIAL "LINKS"
The Bull |
Copyright 2000-2010 Key Milwaukee Magazine, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.
KEY Milwaukee is distributed monthly in hotels, motels, visitor's centers, corporations and retail stores in Southeastern Wisconsin and on the Internet at www.keymilwaukee.com. It is a KEY Magazine, licensed by KEY Magazines, Inc.
KEY Milwaukee makes every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information provided in the monthly magazine and website, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes and omissions.
Website design, maintenance and hosting by
... when it's time to establish an Internet presence.