Early Wisconsin season provides plenty of value

NOW ON THE TEE...2011

By Jerry Slaske

Despite harsh winters, Wisconsin is a golfer's paradise and it all begins this month. Honest!

From April through almost all of November, you can play some of the country's finest courses at affordable rates. In the spring, when weather conditions determine when courses open, early-season rates are very attractive, allowing even the most budget-conscious golfer to play the best courses.

To help put your swing in the groove, the following are early-season rates for select courses in Southeastern Wisconsin. There's something for every budget and you won't be disappointed with any of these tracts.

Broadlands, 35 miles west of downtown Milwaukee. (www.broadlandsgolfclub.com, 262-392-6320)
From opening until May 10: Mon-Fri.- 18 holes w/cart, $41.50

Brown Deer - Rated 46th among nation's munis by Golfweek (414-352-8080 - about 10 miles north of downtown Milwaukee)
Mon-Fri.: 18 holes, $81.50
Sat-Sun.: 18 holes, $88.50.

The Bull at Pinehurst Farms - Only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in the state. Sheboygan Falls, 40 minutes north of Milwaukee (www.golfthebull.com, 920-467-1500)
April: 18 holes w/cart, $55.
May 1-June 7: 18 holes w/cart, $90.

Erin Hills - Site of the 2011 U.S. Amateur and the 2017 U.S. Open, Hartford area northwest of Milwaukee (www.erinhills.com, 262-670-8600)
18 holes, $200 (walking-only course; caddies recommended, but not required)

Fairways of Woodside, Sussex area. (www.fairwaysofwoodside.com, 262-346-7042)
Mon.-Thurs.: 18 holes $35; $40 w/cart.
Fri.-Sun.: 18 holes, $40; $45 w/cart.
Mon.-Thurs. before 10 a.m.: 18 holes w/cart, $30.

Fire Ridge, Grafton area. (www,fireridgegc.com, 262-375-2252)
Before May 28: 18 holes w/cart, $49.

Hawk's View, Lake Geneva area (www.hawksviewgolfclub.com, 262-348-9900)
Before May 6: Mon-Thurs.: 18 holes w/cart, $45
Fri-Sun.: 18 holes w/cart, $55
May 6-May 26: Mon-Thurs.: 18 holes w/cart, $60; Fri-Sun.: 18 holes w/cart, $70

Ironwood, about 25 miles west of downtown Milwaukee. (www.ironwoodgolfcourse.com, 262-538-9900)
Call for early-season rates
Prime rates: Weekdays, $33; Weekend, $43.

Morningstar, about 30 miles southwest of downtown Milwaukee (www.golfthestar.com, 262-662-1600)
April: Mon.-Thurs.: 18 holes w/cart, $49
Fri.-Sun.: 18 holes w/cart, $59
Mon.-Fri. before 10 a.m., $34

Nagawaukee, about 25 miles west of downtown Milwaukee (262-367-2153)
From opening through May 1: Any day, 18 holes $28.50.

Quit Qui Oc, Elkhart Lake/Sheboygan area (www.quitquioc.com, 920-876-2833)
Weekday - $35/Weekend - $39

Washington County - An Arthur Hills design rated 35th in the nation among munis by Golfweek. Hartford/West Bend area. (www.golfwcgc.com, 262-670-6616)
From opening through May 8: Mon-Fri 18 holes $39; Sat-Sun 18 holes - $42

Western Lakes, about 25 miles west of downtown Milwaukee (www.westernlakes.com, 262-691-0900)
April: 18 holes, $19
May 1-May 27: Weekdays, $19; Weekends, $28.50.

Whispering Springs, Fond du Lac area (www.whisperingspringsgolf.com, 920-921-8053)
Opening through May 27: 18 holes, $28.

Fees are for walking unless otherwise indicated. Senior, junior, early-bird, and twilight rates also available at some courses.

Revised: 04/27/2011 - Article Viewed 33,751 Times

About: Jerry Slaske

KEY Milwaukee is a tradition in Wisconsin's largest city. As the leading visitor guide in Southeastern Wisconsin, we're distributed in hotels, motels, restaurants and visitor centers throughout the metropolitan area, beginning at the Illinois-Wisconsin border.