An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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KEY GOLF Wisconsinʼs Wilson making his mark on PGA Tour By JERRY SLASKE KEYMilwaukee Golf Editor MARKWILSONBEGAN2011with two PGATour wins: the Sony Open inHawaii and theWaste Management Phoenix Open. Through the John Deere Classic (July 7-10), he has twomore top-10 finishes and has earnedmore than $2.7million. Currently in sixth place on the FedExCup points list, the 36-year-old golfer is a native ofMenomonee Falls just northwest ofMilwaukee and is the latest Wisconsin golfer to rise to the top of the profession- al ranks. KEYMilwaukee recently caught upwithWilson to get his thoughts on learning the game on Milwaukee-area courses, playing the tour, putting golf in perspective and a host of other subjects. (Courses that are open to the public are indicated by phone number andWeb site.) KEY: When you were growing up and living here in theMilwaukee area, what were your favorite courses to play? Wilson: Oconomowoc Golf Club (private), Milwaukee Country Club (private),Nagawaukee (262-367-2153 –www.golfwaukeshacounty.com). KEY: What was your lowest round inWisconsin and on what course? Wilson:Not sure in a tournament but I do remember shooting a 7 under 63 at Oconomowoc (Golf Club) a fewyears ago. KEY:Where did you win the 2001Wisconsin Open? Wilson: Blackwolf RunMeadows Valleys Course (americanclubresort.com/golf, 800-344- 2838) – probablymy best golf performance in a tournament inWisconsin. KEY: What are your favorite types of courses? Wilson:Anything designed a long time ago. I love Donald Ross,AlistairMackenzie style courses. I like to have to think aboutwhere to land your ball on the green and then have it hit the right slopes to go near the hole. KEY: After traveling across the country, how does Wisconsin stack up against other states when it comes to golf? 50 Wilson:Nowthat the four courses have been added to the Kohler area byMr.Herb Kohler, Wisconsin has all types and ranks pretty high up inmy book. KEY: Is golf course design is in your future? Wilson: I hope so. I lovedmaking up golf courseswhen Iwas in elementary school inmy notebooks. KEY: Do you still come back toMilwaukee to play with friends or family? Or is social golf a thing of the past? Wilson: I love playing a roundwithmy dad when I have a chance, but I don't playmuch golf when I amhome. I try to get two rounds in during an offweek. If our schedules coincide, I like to playwith fellowWisconsin pros,Andy Podolak (Fire RidgeGolf Club, 262-375-2252, www.fireridgegc.com) or David Roesch. Golf with themis social but I can't just play golf and not carewheremy ball is going. I amalways preparing formy next tournamentwhenever I’m on a golf course. KEY: What's your most memorable golf moment? Wilson: Iwould have to go back tomy back nine during theWisconsin high school championships,my freshman year at Fox Valley Golf Club (private) inAppleton. Iwas only 14, but rolled in putts fromeverywhere and shot 7 under par on the second nine towin. KEY:Would you like to see a tour event back in Milwaukee? Is anything happening on that front? Wilson: I haven't heard of anything yet, but that would be great for it to return. I amglad that majors and the Ryder Cup are going to be in Wisconsin. KEY: Who got you into golf? When did you realize you had what it takes to be on the tour? Wilson: My dad started me at age 2. When I was playing college (University of North Carolina) golf, I decided to at least turn pro after I graduated. KEY:What's best, worst parts of being a PGA player? Wilson: I get to play the best golf courses in the world in their best shape of the year. Theworst part is that it is really difficult to get rid of tan lines onmy upper body.