Whitnall Park Golf Updates

Love this project. I play whitnall often enough to know the backups on hole 5 are a guarantee every weekend, primarily driven by the long hole 6 par 3. This layout shows promise for a better flowing course. Really love the former hole 7 par 5 being reversed in direction. Also love the new hole 1 (current hole 1 is goofy/conflicts with current hole 2). Hole 10 is another goofy/semi blind setup I won't miss. The addition of the driving range increasing revenue while not expanding footprint is a nice bonus as well. As a few others have noted, a 100yard par 3 is concerning. If lengthening isn't an option, consider making that green severe, heavily bunkered, etc.

Taking Whitnall offline for a year will be a burden on the county parks system, but it has be done eventually and so I am fully supportive. Adding a range will be a real plus and close proximity to the first tee will ensure it is utilized. The overall routing and layout generally looks good, though having 5 Par 3s, offset by a number of 400 yard par 4s is an odd combination. I'm not really a fan of the 100 yarder, though there is a nice diversity to the par 3 distances overall. Hoping to see it approved for 2025.

As an avid golfer, Whitnall Park is a gem that has lasted 100 years. But…but… nothing is wrong with designing the next 100 year course. Pace of play, no driving range hurts the course, because 1 stop shopping is considered normal in 2023. If the golf business was at 30 year lows, I would be the first calling for people to be fired for wasting money on a dying sport. We all know this isn’t the case, golf has a bright future and Whitnall Park CG is the most perfect location, literally 10/15 minutes from 200,000 people.
We are blessed with great public golf and it’s time for Whitnall to fix their problems, and plan for the next 100 years. We are all fans of WPGC and on the same team. I’m voting yes!

I attended the presentation at Whitnall Park on Thursday, September14th by park staff and architect.

The proposed driving range and practice area with separate pitching and putting greens is the change I would most like to see made to the course.

For the changes to the holes, I am not happy with the proposed short hole 11. I play the white tees so I will address that yardage. 100 yards is too short for a championship course such as Whitnall. It is a pitching wedge or gap wedge to the green. It should be around 120 yards. If the yardage cannot be extended, I suggest reducing the 5 tee boxes to 3. Black, blue, white at 120 - 125 yards and gold, silver at 105 yards. The sand trap should be large enough to make it a challenge to reach the green with the tee shot. Grant Park combines red and white tees on a few holes and I have not heard complaints.

As a firm believer in supporting municipal golf, I'm eager and hopeful this project is approved. The County has a wonderful track record of providing accessible, fun, and challenging golf to those who want to play in SE Wisconsin. This renovation would provide something unique (with a full range and proper short game area) to those who already love the game, or those who are interested in taking it up. A complete renovation of Whitnall would show the County is being forward looking in supporting a sport that is growing in popularity, while transcending a great property that would continue to provide meaningful revenue for decades to come.

I am an avid County golfer and I fully support this project. Whitnall is the most heavily-used course, so it makes sense to have adequate warm-up/practice facilities and space. Drainage at the existing course is a big issue which needs to be addressed. I do like today's Whitnall, but some holes are a bit quirky and dated. The redesign looks to make better use of the space and I expect will address the drainage issues. Please proceed!

From: Parks Golf & Recreation Turf Manager
To: jdomask
No funding will be cut from the other courses.

Removed by moderator.

Taking one’s golf game to the next level depends on a willingness to invest significant time, energy, and sometimes money, as well as an openness to change, which can be mighty uncomfortable. I see this investment in Whitnall in much the same way. It’s an opportunity to take the course to the next level in order to provide long-term benefits to its patrons and the County.

Most of us can agree that there are numerous tee and green issues at Whitnall that need to be addressed. There are also ongoing maintenance headaches for the grounds crew due to an aging irrigation system. For many, cart paths would be a welcome addition. Even I, as a committed walker, can buy into the latter. The main areas of contention seem to be the perceived need for and potential location of a practice facility, and the proposed design changes.

A high-quality practice facility at Whitnall, located where it would be easily accessible for both walkers and riders, would be a welcome addition to those who like to warm up before a round and for those who wish to work on their game without having to drive significant distances to find a quality practice facility. It would also open the door for junior and adult golf programs. And while I love the current Whitnall, especially because of its beautiful setting, it’s not a perfect golf course by any means. As long as design changes are done thoughtfully, with the spirit of the course and its original design kept in mind, I would welcome the changes and improvements.

I see this investment in Whitnall as a commitment to quality golf and to future generations of Milwaukee County golfers. It will set the course up for success for decades to come. In addition, because Whitnall is such a popular course, and a driving range, the existence of cart paths, and youth/adult programs would presumably bring in additional revenue, it’s also a win for the County.

As someone who has been an Unlimited member for 5 years or more, I wholeheartedly support the renovation project. Milwaukee Count golf courses are spectacular compared to other parts of the country! This is an excellent opportunity to make an already great course even better! I really enjoy playing Whitnall and, even though I will miss it while it is closed during the project, I look forward to seeing the newly designed layout. We went through the same thing several years ago when the back nine at Greenfield was closed for redesign and improvement. It was well worth the inconvenience when the back nine was re-opened. Please approve the renovation / redesign project and help Whitnall to become an even more beautiful golf course to play! Fore! ⛳️🏌🏼

I like the idea of improving the golf course but is this expensive project going negatively affect the other Milwaukee County golf courses? Does Milwaukee county have one budget for all of the courses or does each course have their own budget? Let's not do this at the expense of the other courses. I remember when the county had budget issues and courses like Dretzka were not worth playing.

Words cannot describe how excited I am for this renovation. The Franklin area will have a word class practice facility while also improving upon one of the best public courses in the area. Whitnall is one of my favorite Milwaukee county courses, and while it is great, it could use some improvements. One of the improvements that would be fantastic is the fringes and greens, which are often in rough shape. It looks like the layout will both lengthen the course while also adding new interesting holes, which my golf group is excited to see!

I have been playing Whitnall Golf course for 50 plus years and continue to play in the Monday seniors league. It is a fact that it is the most played county golf course. What makes anyone think that they are going to improve on that and make it more profitable? Wouldn't it be more feasible to redo some course that's not getting much play? I agree it could use some improvements such as additional drainage, irrigation and cart paths. Are the driving ranges at Oakwood and Dretzka profitable? If they are, that might make sense to put one in at whitnall but with all the surrounding land, why do you want to put it in the middle of the golf course? Oakwood and Dretzka have theirs separated from the actual course. How many courses have a driving range in the middle or right next to a hole that you always find balls in your fairway or sailing over your head. I believe I saw something where the budget was $330 some thousand dollars. I'm thinking it's another one of the county's under budget fiasco that will cost us a million that could be used elsewhere. I'm sure you're going to run this by the taxpayers who do not golf, correct?

I think George Hansen might be turning over in his grave, but I do love the Routing Option H and the entire re-design. Curious if there are other options being looked at (Option "H" would indicate so). Looking forward to hearing more about the "Home Course" renovation plans on the 14th!!!

Can't wait to see the changes. Going to be great for Golf in the area. Good luck

A complete renovation of Whitnall is exactly what the course and area needs.

I worked at this golf course on the maintenance staff for 6 years and every year the constant small “band aid” fixes became more and more every year. A renovation that goes in and fixes these issues while adding to the great golf course that Whitnall has always been is sorely needed.

I grew up playing and working on this golf course and there’s a few things you come to learn. Every time it rains the back 9 is unplayable. If it’s a busy day holes 5-7 are going to take you 50-70 minutes to play. The putting green is atrocious. This course has so much potential a facelift would bring in a ton of extra revenue to the county.

As I got better at golf I had to make a trip to the range before going there so that I was warmed up to play a good round of golf. As a golfer that’s frustrating. Being able to go right to the golf course warm up and play makes the round and the golf course even more enjoyable while also adding another revenue stream. How many current kids in the area would go there every day to practice and get better at the game. Why wouldn’t school like Whitnall High use it as their home course and add matches there bringing in more play. This course right now appeals to high handicap golfers and it as I’ve mentioned has the potential to be so much more.

With the beautiful addition of the beer garden just a few blocks away being able to get to the course, warm up, and play a great round on a beautiful course that’s consistent day in and day out only adds to the fantastic area that Whitnall Park has become.

There is a big hole in the Hales Corners/Muskego/New Berlin Area for a top notch golf course and I think Whitnall with these renovations could become that. It would make it not just rival the best courses in the county but definitely be the premiere golf course in a premier suburb of Milwaukee.

In response to George elleseg,
A driving range is exactly what whitnall needs. Why would anyone be against a driving range! I believe a redesign is also needed because of the constant bottlenecking starting at hole 5 through 7. Also a proper drainage system on the back around hole 12. A larger putting green, the addition of a proposed chipping green makes sense too. I’ve been playing the course for 20+ years and the renovation is well overdue.

I have been golfing Whitnall Golf Course for over 40 years. There is absolutely no reason for the major renovation proposed here. What Whitnall GC needs is some "simple" (and much less expensive) upgrades. Such as:

- Softening some of the greens. There is too much slope in some of them.
- Rebuilding the tee boxes
- A new irrigation system
- Possibly, a paved cart path

What Whitnall GC does NOT need is a driving range and a complete reconfiguration of the golf course.

As I understand, Whitnall GC is the most played course of the Milwaukee County 18 hole courses. Why jeopardize a good thing. Remember the "New Coke".

I know many golfers. We all agree this major renovation is unnecessary and a huge waste of tax payer dollars. That money could be better used in other Milwaukee County park projects.

Whitnall GC is a wonderfully designed golf course. It has stood the test of time. It is played and enjoyed by many golfers. It does not need to be "fixed".

Respectfully submitted.
George Elleseg