Milwaukee County’s cash-strapped park system is investing in what’s working: golf.
The county is spending $475,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to create a 23,500-square-foot putting green and a massive 1,560-square-foot practice bunker at Brown Deer Park Golf Course, the crown jewel in its 13-course golf system.
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“We do surveys and the one thing we hear the most is the desire for more practice areas,” says Milwaukee County Parks golf and recreation turf manager Jon Canavan. “Ever since the golf boom during COVID, people want to play and practice.”
Brown Deer’s new practice facilities – expected to be completed by next August – will better allow players to hone their short game, free of charge, alongside the existing driving range.
A much smaller putting green and chipping area already are in heavy use, Canavan says.
Golfers played a then-record 320,000 rounds at county courses amidst the pandemic in 2020, up nearly a third from the previous year, and rounds played and revenue have only increased since then.
Last year, golf generated a record $11.2 million for the county – roughly one-fifth of Parks’ budget – and it was on track to hit that number again this year. “We’re seeing heavy usage at all our golf courses,” Canavan says. “It hasn’t slowed down.”
