St. John's Northwestern Golf Course

Private Military School Setting - Public Course

By Brian Weis

Tucked behind one of the country's oldest military schools, St. Johns Northwestern Golf Course is one of the more unique golf properties in Metro Milwaukee area. For first timers, the drive through the military academy can be intimidating. Upon entry of the 110 acre campus, your eyes will be captivated by the English Gothic academic buildings, and resident halls. During special days, like Memorial day and commencement, their parade field displays 156 American flags. It is not uncommon to overlook the signs pointing to the club house. If you have the feeling of being lost, head toward the tennis courts and there you will find the quaint club house.

Despite the private boarding school setting, the course is open to the public. The nine hole course, built by Shorty Murfield along with 10 cadets in 1921, simply put is a peaceful walk. At 3060 yards, no water and only a handful sand traps, beginning and senior golfers will surely enjoy the round. Then again, for less than $15 every golfer's wallet will enjoy the parkland style course.

As of September 1, 2010, the Storm Family assumed management of the golf course. The family also owns and operators Brookfield Hills Golf Course, and Storm's Driving Ranges in Brookfield and Oconomowoc. Tim Sullivan, the superintendent, is in charge of the grounds. While daughter, Allison and niece Amy Stiloski, manage the day to day golf operations.

The trio's first goals were to keep the grass cut and course properly maintained. Locals and returning golfers have commented that the course conditions have greatly improved from recent years. During my round, I was joined by a local golfer who has been golfing the course since the 1960's. He commented that course was in the best shape it has been in a long time. Caps off to Tim, Allison and Amy!

Most Notable Hole
Coming up the sixth green, big hitters will be licking their chops when they see a drivable par 4 next up on the scorecard. Unfortunately, a mature maple tree planted in the middle of the fairway stands between you and the cup. A 280 yard power fade or draw shaped around the tree will be needed to reach the narrow elevated green. The tree is not the only obstacle. Huge grassy mounds, one on each side of the fairway, block running up on the green. A perfect fade or draw is needed for a chance at an eagle putt.

The Skinny
Public 9 holes
2 Tees: 3060 and 2664 yards
Rate: $11 weekdays/$12 weekends
Walking available and carts $6.50 per rider

Getting There
From Milwaukee, Take I-94 West. Exit Hwy 83 towards Hartland/Wales (287 Exit). Take slight left on Moraine End Drive. Continue as road merges into Milwaukee Street. Turn right onto Country Road C, also known as Genesee Street. School and course on Left.

Contact Information
St. John's Northwestern Golf Course
1101 Genesee Street
Delafield, WI 53018
(262) 646-7151
www.sjnma.org

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Article Tags: St. John's Northwestern Golf Course

Revised: 06/03/2011 - Article Viewed 35,836 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the mastermind behind GolfTrips.com, a vast network of golf travel and directory sites covering everything from the rolling fairways of Wisconsin to the sunbaked desert layouts of Arizona. If there’s a golf destination worth visiting, chances are, Brian has written about it, played it, or at the very least, found a way to justify a "business trip" there.

As a card-carrying member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA), and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG), Brian has the credentials to prove that talking about golf is his full-time job. In 2016, his peers even handed him The Shaheen Cup, a prestigious award in golf travel writing—essentially the Masters green jacket for guys who don’t hit the range but still know where the best 19th holes are.

Brian’s love for golf goes way back. As a kid, he competed in junior and high school golf, only to realize that his dreams of a college golf scholarship had about the same odds as a 30-handicap making a hole-in-one. Instead, he took the more practical route—working on the West Bend Country Club grounds crew to fund his University of Wisconsin education. Little did he know that mowing greens and fixing divots would one day lead to a career writing about the best courses on the planet.

In 2004, Brian turned his golf passion into a business, launching GolfWisconsin.com. Three years later, he expanded his vision, and GolfTrips.com was born—a one-stop shop for golf travel junkies looking for their next tee time. Today, his empire spans all 50 states, and 20+ international destinations.

On the course, Brian is a weekend warrior who oscillates between a 5 and 9 handicap, depending on how much he's been traveling (or how generous he’s feeling with his scorecard). His signature move" A high, soft fade that his playing partners affectionately (or not-so-affectionately) call "The Weis Slice." But when he catches one clean, his 300+ yard drives remind everyone that while he may write about golf for a living, he can still send a ball into the next zip code with the best of them.

Whether he’s hunting down the best public courses, digging up hidden gems, or simply outdriving his buddies, Brian Weis is living proof that golf is more than a game—it’s a way of life.