Golf Course Overview: Geneva National Resort & Club

Local and traveling golfers love to research courses before playing them, whether it is to gain some local knowledge or to set an expectation before their upcoming round. Below is an interview with Bryan Brotchie, PGA who shares some valuable insight about the property, its most talked about holes and the signature dish/drink to consume at the 19th hole.

Provide a brief description of the golf course/property, the terrain and best times of the year to play.
Geneva National is a residential community in southeastern WI situated on the shore of Lake Como. We offer 54 holes of championship golf with Signature designs from Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, & Gary Player. Overall the property is very expansive, each course winds through a number of hills, valleys, lakes, and homes. Each course offers a number of areas with beautiful views and the possibility of seeing varied members of our wildlife community that also call Geneva National home.

In my 10 years here at Geneva National I have had the pleasure of playing golf during each of the 12 months, but would advise that August & September are the 2 best months to be here. October can be just as good, but the days start to get a little shorter.

Share with golfers, your most recent awards and golf course improvements.
2013 GCOW Course of the Year
Top 50 Courses for Women (Player)
Host site to the 2019 Wisconsin State Open

Any tips on playing and reading the greens?
Local knowledge can be a huge difference maker here on each course. Everyone needs to always keep in mind where Lake Como is. The natural terrain flows downhill toward the lake. Some holes are more obvious than others, but there is a genuine "pull" towards the lake.

Starting on hole #1, are there any tips to get your round off on the right foot?
Relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. Each of our 1st holes can be played with less than driver off of the tee. Hopefully this can add to each players ability to keep their opening shot in play, getting them in position to score well right out of the box.

What is your favorite par 5, and how would you recommend playing it?
My favorite of our 54 holes is Player #10. The green and approach are beautifully framed by our Hunt Club Steakhouse, and it is the ultimate risk/reward par 5. A drive down the fairway gives each player a view of the challenge ahead. Water and sand must both be cleared to find the green in two. If forced to lay up, each player must stay out to the left avoiding the large slopes that can carry your ball into a number of different collection areas. There is room long, so I always encourage anyone who can go for it to do so, and miss long if need be.

What is your favorite par 3, and how would you recommend playing it?
The best view on property is from the 13th tee on our Player Course. You can see all of the surrounding areas including Lake Como and over to The Ridge Hotel. This par 3 plays downhill and if there is any wind it can affect the shot greatly. The key here is calculating the correct club to play with. Once you get on the green you have to convince yourself that it doesn't break as much as it may look like.

In your opinion, what is the hardest hole and do you have any tips on playing it?
Trevino #18 is a beast! It plays so much longer than the yardage and is visually intimidating. The biggest key to tackling this hole is getting your drive as far down the fairway as possible, without finding any of the trouble that surrounds each player. There is OB right and left, then the fairway ends 90 yards from the green. The approach shot plays at least a half a club longer than the yardage states to a green that has a large ridge bisecting it. Like so many other holes on our Trevino Course, the green is guarded by a large bunker right in front of the green that works like a magnet attracting golf balls. My suggestion is to play your drive down the left side, opening the entire green up to approach and play one extra club to avoid the penalizing bunker in front.

As a golfer plays the final three holes, is there a chance for salvation? (any tips on closing out the round?)
Each of our 3 courses end with one par 3, one par 4, and one par 5 in varied orders. This does allow for some opportunity to make up for earlier sins in your round and the thought of a 3-3-3 finish can brighten even the darkest moods. Each finish can be played with some aggression to gain an advantage, but there is trouble to grab any foolish plays. Course knowledge with the understanding of where you can miss your shots to is the key to surviving or saving your round.

Contact Course
Geneva National Resort & Club
1221 Geneva National Avenue
South Lake Geneva, WI, 53147
262.245.7012

www.genevanationalresort.com