WI Golf in the News

From a WGCSA email in early March...

Wisconsin Golf Powers a $6.44 Billion Economic Engine, Driving Jobs, Tourism, and Statewide Impact

Tourism, major events, and world-class public and private courses drive Wisconsin’s thriving golf economy.

A new statewide report released today shows that golf in Wisconsin generates $6.44 billion in total economic impact, supports 56,595 jobs, and contributes $2 billion in wages, underscoring the industry’s dynamic role in Wisconsin’s economy and communities. The game produced $3.37 billion in direct economic impact and returned more than $288 million in state and local taxes.

Golfers played 11.24 million rounds in 2023, and Wisconsin attracted 1.8 million golf trips that fueled $902.7 million in direct golf tourism impact. These numbers reflect both the strength of everyday public play and the powerful draw of nationally recognized destinations such as Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, and Blackwolf Run, positioning Wisconsin as one of the country’s most compelling golf markets.

“Golf in Wisconsin is one of the state’s most powerful economic engines,” said Rob Jansen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Golf Association. “The industry’s $6.44 billion total impact outpaces the combined contributions of Wisconsin’s craft beer, wine, local spirits, and Packers home-game industries, which together generate nearly $5 billion. This report highlights how golf strengthens local economies, attracts visitors, and enhances our communities.”

Major championships continue to amplify Wisconsin’s national presence. The 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills reaffirmed Wisconsin’s standing as a premier site for championship golf. The 43rd U.S. Senior Open at SentryWorld and the American Family Insurance Championship anchored the 2023 season, building on a legacy that includes the Ryder Cup, multiple PGA Championships, U.S. Opens, and decades of professional-tour events.

Golf delivers meaningful community benefits statewide. Facilities hosted more than 9,000 charitable events last year, raising $166 million for nonprofits supporting youth development, veterans, local schools, healthcare programs, environmental groups, and service organizations. Courses advanced player development at 97% of facilities, offered beginner programs, veterans and adaptive golf programs, and broadened access for youth with rounds at $5 or less through Youth on Course.

Environmental stewardship remains a defining pillar of the industry. Wisconsin’s 528 golf courses provide 73,000 acres of greenspace, offering habitat, stormwater filtration, air-quality benefits, and urban cooling. Facilities across the state have adopted multiple sustainability practices, including advanced irrigation technologies, native-plant conversions, efficient energy systems, recycling, and waste-reduction measures that strengthen ecological resilience.

“Wisconsin’s golf industry is demonstrating what modern golf represents - economic vitality, community connection, and responsible land stewardship,” said Gina Rizzi, President of Radius Sports Group. “The data shows how golf contributes to businesses, residents, and the extraordinary landscapes that define Wisconsin.”

The Wisconsin Golf Economic Impact Study was conducted by Radius Sports Group in agreement with the Wisconsin Golf Alliance comprised of the Wisconsin State Golf Association, Wisconsin Section of the PGA of America, Wisconsin Golf Course Owners Association, the Wisconsin Badger Chapter of the Club Management Association of America, and the Wisconsin Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Access the full report at: Wisconsin Golf Economic Impact Report Executive Summary.

 

Winter Update

 

Winter Maintenance

This winter we kicked off maintenance with restoring course accessories. This entails cleaning, sanding, staining/painting, and repairing course accessories.  Course accessories include range equipment such as bag stands and ball crates, as well as ball washers, trash cans, benches, tee markers, flagsticks, pins for the practice facilities, bunker rakes, and stakes and signs of all types.

Why do we do this?

Well glad you asked, getting a fresh coat of paint gives almost everything that sharp brand new look that we all love, and with the elegance that we strive for at OGC, we don't want it to be tainted with a weathered eyesore. But looks aren't everything. We make sure as we go through every piece of equipment that everything is operational, as well as, aesthetically pleasing so that we can focus on maintaining the course and you can focus on your round of golf.

 

This winter we also introduced two snow fences as a new method of snow maintenance. We intentionally set up the two snow fences where we get the most drift onto the lot to see if it reduces the amount of snow drifts, plow and shovel time those areas would typically require.

 

Did it work?

Yes. despite it being unaesthetic and sagging from raging winter winds it actually did an excellent job at keeping the snow drifts at bay. This was our first iteration of the fence and overall it was a huge success eliminating drift onto the parking lot almost entirely. And although tweaks to the design may be made to ensure it stays tall and tight the function proved beneficial and something we will continue.

Now with time being on our side we were also able to clean, paint, and reorganize the main shop as well. The reorganization is important for finding the most efficient setups we can. With morning jobs being so time sensitive, efficiency is what matters. All of us being on the same page on what equipment we have and where it's located allows effective setups and smooth task transitions. And with the shop having equipment from wall to wall unloading and reloading the walls with equipment is a requirement for paint. The paint we were able to get up gave the shop a great facelift making it look brighter and clean.

Winter is all about prep so we can put our best foot forward and give this course the care that it deserves when spring arrives.

Fall Bunker Project

Welcome Back

Welcome back to the OGC Blog.  We felt it would be a great addition again here in 2026.   What to look forward to is... 

• Updates to the Bunker Project
• Meet the Staff
• Articles about Turf.  Hip Hip Hooray
• Pictures, Pictures, Pictures
• Surveys
• Course Information
• Latest Trends
• And so much more.... 

Course Photos

Aerification Updates September 24th

Aerification Updates Dear Oconomowoc Golf Club Members, Last week, we finished greens aerification (Sept. 16th). The crowd roars... Thanks for your patience this month and understanding with Mother Nature. We also aerified the green collars on Tuesday and Wednesday which was done to improve the health and reduce the accumulation of sand on the greens edges. Some in the industry call that "sand dams". This week, we have started fairway aerification. This process will take time and very important to the health of the fairways. Our plan is to aerify early each week (Monday through Wednesday's) if weather allows. Yesterday, our team was able to aerify the practice tees and #1 fairway. Today, we plan to work on #9, #10, and possibly #18 (unlikely). Wednesday most likely #18 and/or #16. We do not plan to close these holes any of the days but we ask to keep carts in Rough to avoid squishing those soil plugs into the ground. I'll post our plans each day on the putting green so you know our plans. Next week we will plan to do a few more if Mother Nature cooperates. Another project update is the work done on #16 tees. We are in the process of converting the naturalized area to a fescue blend. We have closed the upper men's tee for that reason. Our goals are to seed this area within the next week. Aerification of the Greens Collars #9 Green and Fairway Vista #14 Looking Great! ©2019 Oconomowoc Golf Club | 5261 BROWN ST. OCONOMOWOC WI 53066

September Rain

Right after Labor Day, the Southeast part of Wisconsin has been hit with generally normal rainstorms but they have happened at the worst times.  Typically on Monday's and Tuesday's which has not been good timing for our aerification goals.

September 3rd      .25"
September 4th      .06"
September 9th      .06
September 10th    .71"
September 11th    .13"
September 12th    .94"
September 13th    1.34"

Total to date:        3.49"

Pinterest

Nonetheless, our team was hard at work showcasing the fine layout... Check out our teams mowing... Fantastic!