An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/697488
28 keymilwaukee.com Six counties make up the Milwaukee region: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, and Kenosha. Each sports at least one municipal 18-hole championship golf course. How do these counties rate in terms of quality? With four, Milwaukee County has the most 18-hole championship munis. Brown Deer (6,800 yards from the tips; 133 slope), opened in 1929, is the best known because for years it was a regular stop on the PGA Tour. It's also the toughest of the courses and is in the best condition with nicely manicured bent-grass tees, fairways, and greens. The longest Milwaukee County muni is Oakwood (7,100 yards, 125 slope) followed closely by Dretzka (6,800 yards, 126 slope). Both are excellent tests. Whitnall (6,500 yards, 119 slope), opened in 1932 as a mini-Brown Deer. All are excellent layouts, but Brown Deer surpasses the others in toughness and conditions. milwaukeecountygolfcourses.com Waukesha County KDVWZRYDVWO\GLǺHUHQW EXWîQHFKDPSLRQVKLSPXQLV1DJDZDXNHH (6,800 yards, 126 slope), designed by Lawrence Packard, is hilly and tree-lined with the largest DQGDPRQJWKHPRVWGLǸFXOWJUHHQVDYHUDJH about 10,000 sq. ft.). Wanaki (6,600 yards, 127 VORSHDOVRLVWUHHOLQHGEXWUHODWLYHO\ïDWDQG with more water. golfwaukeshacounty.com In Hawthorne Hills (6,700 yards, 119 slope) and Mee-Kwon (6,500 yards, 122 slope), Ozaukee County has two superb munis. The layouts are excellent; conditions are tremendous, particularly the greens, which are large (average 6,000 sq. ft. at Hawthorne Hills), run true, and are relatively quick. ozaukeecountygolf.com While Washington County has only one muni, it is the overall best in the region. In fact, GolfWeek magazine ranks Washington County Golf Course (7,000 yards, 134 slope) the 33rd best muni in the country. It's also ranked # 1 in the state. The links-style course, designed by noted golf architect Arthur Hills, sits high above the Kettle Moraine with beautiful vistas. Wind is always a factor. golfwcgc.com Johnson Park (6,700 yards, 124 slope), owned by the City of Racine in Racine County, has everything you want in a muni: great layout, nice conditions, trees, elevation changes, length. It's all here. In my humble opinion, it ranks right up there with Brown Deer. racinegolfonline.com Probably the most fun and interesting muni to play in the region is the 1936-vintage Petrifying Springs (6,000 yards, 119 slope) in Kenosha County. Even though it's relatively short, it still provides a great test, featuring lots RIPDWXUHWUHHVKLOOVDQGîQHJUHHQFRPSOH[HV petrifyingspringsgolf.com Brighton Dale Links (White Birch: 7,000 yards; 132 slope/Blue Spruce: 6,700 yards, 130 slope) in western Kenosha County is a well-maintained and demanding 45-hole layout (two 18s and one 9). JROǽULJKWRQGDOHFRP %\-HUU\6ODVNH.(<0LOZDXNHH*ROI(GLWRU municipal golf courses Southeastern Wisconsin's Nagawaukee Brown Deer prove government does something right