Getting To Know: Glen Erin Golf Club

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Jordan Brown who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
The course at Glen Erin Golf Club takes you back to the earliest days of golf with a links-style layout inspired by traditional courses in Ireland. Though it opened in 2003, the course pays homage to yesteryear with rolling fairways, oversize greens, and deep pot bunkers. Native fescues ensnare wayward shots that venture outside the first cut of rough, forcing players to chop through dense grasses with scythe clubs just to get the ball back onto shorter grass. The back nine is bookended by par-5s on holes 10 and 18, each more than 575 yards in length and unreachable in two strokes for all but the longest hitters or golfers who have wired their golf ball with hummingbird wings.

The golf course rolls through a natural valley, making beautiful rolling uphill and downhill golf holes.

The front nine is a more coastal Irish experience, with an open layout of bunkers and fescue grass lining almost every hole. Wind is always a factor on this nine. The back nine is a more inland Irish style, with holes cut out of the native forestry that covers half of the property. Most greens are three-tiered and vastly bigger than anything in the area, making ball placement with respect to the pin very important.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
The course at Glen Erin Golf Club takes you back to the earliest days of golf with a links-style layout inspired by traditional courses in Ireland. Though it opened in 2003, the course pays homage to yesteryear with rolling fairways, oversize greens, and deep pot bunkers. Native fescues ensnare wayward shots that venture outside the first cut of rough, forcing players to chop through dense grasses with scythe clubs just to get the ball back onto shorter grass. The back nine is bookended by par-5s on holes 10 and 18, each more than 575 yards in length and unreachable in two strokes for all but the longest hitters or golfers who have wired their golf ball with hummingbird wings.

The golf course rolls through a natural valley, making beautiful rolling uphill and downhill golf holes.

The front nine is a more coastal Irish experience, with an open layout of bunkers and fescue grass lining almost every hole. Wind is always a factor on this nine. The back nine is a more inland Irish style, with holes cut out of the native forestry that covers half of the property. Most greens are three-tiered and vastly bigger than anything in the area, making ball placement with respect to the pin very important.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Although the course may seem to be "wide open" on all but a few holes placement is everything. The rolling fairways and undulating greens offer many uneven lies and impossible angles off of a misplaced tee-shot.

Any recent changes to the golf course? Or any upcoming changes?
In the fall of 2018 we began the construction of a state of the art banquet facility. Sitting behind the clubhouse, it offers several views of the golf course, the highlight being the patio over the 18th green. The 12,000 sq. ft. building will seat nearly 500 guests for wedding receptions, banquets, conventions, golf outings, etc. in the years to come.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
In 2018 we were acknowledged as a top 25 golf course in Wisconsin by Golf Advisor. The award is based mainly on customer reviews, so I think it reflects not only the condition of the golf course, but the overall experience we provide.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
Hole 12, Temple Gate, is by far the most talked about hole. As a par 4 playing to 3rd on the handicap rating, it is where great rounds go to die. This 424 yard Par-4 presents two ways of playing it. A straight shot to a subtle peninsula about 225 yards leaves you a difficult-yet-manageable long iron to an acceptable green through a tree-lined opening. Pulling out the driver will put into play the deep down-slope and fairway trench that awaits players that hit it this length.

In addition, this area bottles into a collection area no more than 15 yards wide. Although your second shot is shorter, you are faced with two trees overhanging the fairway. Balls coming up short of the pin will find a false front that often results in the ball rolling off the front of the green.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
My favorite hole is #13 because it's a drive-able par 4. The tee shot is through a narrow chute, but if you move the ball from right to left you have a chance to land on or near the green. It offers big reward without a ton of risk, but you have to hit a very good tee shot.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
The Irishman's Nachos are a must try (Pub chips, Pulled pork, chives and sour cream,
smothered in our own Guinness Cheese Sauce). They pair great with the house beer, The Cursing Stone, which is a Irish-style Ale beer that starts with a sweet caramel malt punch and finishes with subtle hops.

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
Ryan Helminen holds the course record with 62, that has stood since 2009.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 71
Yardage: 6849
Slope: 126
Rating: 72.4

More Information
Glen Erin Golf Club
1417 W Airport Rd
Janesville, WI, 53546
608-741-1100

gleneringolf.com