Getting To Know: Brown Deer Golf Course

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Andrew Barrett who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
Brown Deer Golf Course is a classically designed 18 hole facility with bent grass fairways, tees and greens that has hosted an annual PGA tour event, USGA national championships and now hosts an LPGA Symetra Tour event, the PHC Classic. You can always expect the course conditions to reflect those high standards. The golf courses unique and individual holes are carved out masterfully with a river running throughout the entire course. The course was originally designed by George Hansen and founded in 1929 and was partially redesigned by Andy North and Roger Packard.

Can You Share What it Means to Brown Deer Park to Host Professional Golfers on the Symetra Tour After Being a Staple on the PGA Tour for 15 years?
We were incredibly happy and proud when officials from the Symetra Tour approached us about hosting an event. After meeting with them and finalizing details, we knew we were a great fit for each other. The entire park is beautiful and logistically works great for large tournament operations. Everything the tournament needs is located on site. Add in a classic layout, strong team and excellent conditions and we have a recipe for success. The players raved about the course, the conditions and the hospitality that only Potawatomi can provide. Spectators were treated with magnificent golf that ended in a sudden death playoff!

Potawotomi Hotel and Casino's is the Title Sponsor of the PHC Classic (LPGA Symetra Tour), Can You Share How Important They are as a Title Sponsor?
Potawatomi gets it. There probably isn't a better partner in Milwaukee than PHC. They have all the cogs in place to make an event a success. They know how to host. They know how to run events, they know how to promote and they know how to throw a party. Potawatomi's involvement in the community probably goes a little too unnoticed. They are involved in more places than can even be recognized. We are fortunate to have such a great partnership and Southeastern Wisconsin is fortunate to be the beneficiaries in so many instances.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Local or Traveling Golfer To Score Better At Your Course?
Brown Deer has long punishing rough. Keep it between the trees and you will be in the fairways. For your approach shot, keep it below the hole. If you are above/past the hole you will have tougher putt.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Brown Deer Park Golf Course hosted the Greater Milwaukee Open (GMO) and the US Bank Championship from 1994-2009. In 1996, Tiger Woods made his PGA Professional debut here and tied for 60th. On Sunday, Tiger Woods recorded his first PGA Tour hole in one on the 14th hole. (6 iron, 202-yards)

Past winners of the event include:

Mike Springer, 1994
Scott Hoch, 1995, 1997
Loren Roberts, 1996, 2000
Jeff Sluman, 1998, 2002
Carlos Franco 1999, 2004
Shigeki Maruyama, 2001
Kenny Perry, 2003
Ben Crane, 2005
Corey Pavin, 2006
Joe Ogilvie, 2007
Richard S. Johnson, 2008
Bo Van Pelt, 2009


What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
Hole #18. It is a long par 5 that starts with a nerve racking tee shot. You have to be long enough to carry the water and precise enough to give yourself a shot, to attack the green. If you bomb one, you have the option to go for it in two. Take an enough club because it is all up hill. The safe play is layup in 100 yards in front of the elevated green. This will take the bunkers out of play and give you the best chance for a birdie or par.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
My favorite hole is hole #8. The hole dog leg lefts and just fits my eye. Big hitters will have to drawn the ball down the middle of the fairway. If you fade the ball you will have to challenge the tall trees on the right and hope you have enough landing room on the right. The green is slightly elevated and requires a well struck iron to set up for a par.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
The Brown Deer Men's Club raves about the Southwest Chicken Wrap. It is my favorite as well! The wrap is made with a blacken chicken and all the fixings including freshly made avocado. The steak fries top off a great meal after your round!

In 2015, we had a huge kitchen renovation. We also redid the menu and now feature a high end pub experience, especially for a municipal golf course. Our burgers are made with huge thick patties. You can order a standard cheese burger but you also can get a California Burger. If you come for a round of golf you should stay for a meal.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 71
Yardage: 6759
Slope: 133
Rating: 72.9

More Information
Brown Deer Golf Course
7625 N. Range Line Road
Milwaukee, WI, 53209
414-352-8080
www.milwaukeecountygolfcourses.com/