Discover some Hidden Gems of Wauwatosa
Tour Wisconsin’s Famous Tour Spots
Experience Championship Level Golf When You Visit Wauwatosa
Since 1933, when Gene Sarazen won the PGA Championship right here in Wauwatosa at Blue Mound Country Club, Wisconsin has been a major destination for championship level golf.
From major championships to annual events, our state’s golfing legacy continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide, solidifying its status as a premier destination for golf aficionados.
Not only do you have the chance to watch some of the world’s best golfers tee it up here; you also get to put your skills to the test on the same courses where players like Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Jason Day, Brooks Koepka, Steve Stricker and others have claimed victory. Let’s check them out:
KOHLER, WI: Whistling Straits & Blackwolf Run (1 Hour from Wauwatosa)
Nestled in the scenic landscape of Kohler, Wisconsin, lie two world-class golfing destinations: Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run.
Ranked # 4 on Golf Digest’s Top 100 Public Courses, Whistling Straits is a masterpiece of golf course design. Created by renowned architect Pete Dye, this links-style course boasts rugged terrain, sweeping views of Lake Michigan, and challenging winds that mimic the coastal courses of Ireland. With its undulating fairways, dramatic bunkers, and punishing rough, Whistling Straits offers a true test of skill for golfers of all levels. The course most recently hosted the 2021 Ryder Cup competition between the U.S. and Europe; but has also been home to the PGA Championship (2004, 2010 and 2015) as well as the U.S. Senior Open (2007);
Meanwhile, the U.S. Women’s Open has twice been held at Blackwolf Run (1998 and 2012). Ranked #18 and #74 respectively on the same list, Blackwolf Run is comprised of two distinct courses, River and Meadow Valleys. Also designed by Pete Dye, these courses offer a unique blend of beauty and challenge.
ERIN, WI: Erin Hills (30 Minutes from Wauwatosa)
Speaking of the U.S. Women’s Open, the premier event will return to Wisconsin next year, with the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open to be held at Erin Hills, May 29-June 1. Ranked #10, Erin Hills, which is located less than half an hour from Wauwatosa, also hosted the Men’s U.S. Open in 2017.
The course presents a formidable challenge to the world’s best golfers, with its length, undulating terrain, and unpredictable winds testing every aspect of their game.
STEVENS POINT, WI: SentryWorld (2.5 Hours from Wauwatosa)
A little further north, you’ll find SentryWorld (ranked #54), the site of the 2023 U.S. Senior Open.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course offers a blend of strategic design elements and natural beauty that appeals to golfers of all skill levels.
Known for its iconic “Flower Hole” and meticulously manicured fairways as much as for the unlimited food and beverages offered during each round, you’re sure to find SentryWorld worth the drive.
MADISON, WI: University Ridge G.C. (90 Minutes from Wauwatosa)
Annually, the seniors also make a stop in Madison each June for Wisconsin native Steve Stricker’s American Family Insurance Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event. A highlight on the golfing calendar, this tournament, previously hosted at University Ridge G.C. will transition to Wisconsin’s newest course, TPC Wisconsin, next year, promising to uphold its tradition of excellence and further elevate Wisconsin’s golfing reputation.
BROWN DEER, WI: Brown Deer Park, G.C. (25 Minutes from Wauwatosa)
Closest to home, Brown Deer Park G.C., is one of the Milwaukee County Parks golf courses and was the site of the former Greater Milwaukee Open from 1994-2009. However, it might be best remembered as the place where golfing legend Tiger Woods made his professional debut. It was here, on August 28, 1996, that a 20-year-old Woods opened his press conference with the now-famous line, “I guess, hello world, huh?” marking the beginning of his remarkable career and forever intertwining his legacy with Wisconsin’s golfing history. A plaque near the 10th hole on the course commemorates this historical moment.
Over the years, Wisconsin’s legendary courses have also served as home to major qualifying events, developmental tour stops, and top amateur tournaments. In addition, there are countless local competitions held across the state each year through the Wisconsin State Golf Association.
Thus, as a player or fan, from the historic to the contemporary, championship-level golf awaits in Wisconsin, with Wauwatosa serving as your gateway to unforgettable experiences on the fairways.