An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/530862
keymilwaukee.com 39 get the picture, a self-contained family playground. But if you must leave the property, downtown Lake Geneva is about a mile away on beautiful and historic…you guessed it…Lake Geneva. Grand Geneva's just-under 400-room hotel is a sprawling, four-story Frank Lloyd Wright type of building that runs about 3/10 of a mile. It's easy to get lost in this place and thank God you can park near your room. But since I like to walk, I en - joyed it. The hotel's expansive and open lobby sits high above the 1,300-acre property, and the vista from the outdoor pool and the top-shelf restaurants is mesmerizing and, some might say, romantic. My roomy and comfortable junior suite was on the first floor with a patio along the fairway of the Brute's 18th hole. It had a fireplace and two large-screen TVs, plus a TV in the bathroom mirror (kind of like a holograph). I'm not one to watch TV while taking care of 'business', but you can, no pun intended. Also, I'm not easy to please when it comes to beds because of a back issue, but this one put me in a trance. Catering to 350-400 golf outings (12 or more players) annually–amazing, considering Wisconsin's relatively short golf season–the resort's two cours - es couldn't be more different, each with its own challenges. The Brute is…well, a brute. It's long with large and undulating greens (avg. green size 8,000 sq. ft.), 68 yawning bunkers, and significant elevation changes. #17 (par 4, 420 yards from the tips) & #18 (par 4, 464 yards from the tips) probably are its signature holes: #17 a slight dogleg right from an elevated tee along and over water; #18 a straight monster with bunkers down the right side with water, also on the right, the entire length of the hole. The Highlands is shorter with smaller and flatter greens, but has more trees, hollows, and twists and turns. Every hole is picturesque from the tee, and there are several par 4s that might be drivable for the bigger hitters from the blue tees. PGA Professional Kyle Kunash says the par 4, 461 yard (from the tips) #9 is the toughest hole on the property, and I agree. It's a double dogleg from an elevated tee through a hollow to an elevated green. Despite the stellar facili - ties, I judge golf courses and resorts in large part based on the people who work there, and these folks take great pride in what they do and how their guests are treated. There's nothing better than Wisconsin hospitality and value, and that's why you see so many Illinois plates at the Grand Geneva. Other states can boast of a lot of things, but you've got to come to Wiscon - sin for a Grand time. By Jerry Slaske KEY Milwaukee Golf Editor The fantastic #12, par 3, 217 yards on the Highlands course. Elevated tee to elevated green makes it almost level. street tacos + housemade margaritas 414.223.1122 1122 N. EDISON STREET · MILWAUKEE VAGABONDMKE.COM STREET BEATS STREET EATS street tacos + housemade STREET STREET EATS