If there is a door worth knocking on in Wisconsin it is most certainly Door County. Located on a peninsula just north of Green Bay, Door County boasts 300 miles of shoreline and even before we throw golf into the mix, it is one of the finest vacation destinations in the United States.
There are 19 unique communities in Door County and they are all just a short drive from one another. Perhaps you are looking to check out one of Door County’s 11 historic lighthouses, maybe you are looking to explore some fine art galleries, or maybe you just want to shove your face full of cherry pie. Door County has you covered.
My operating base for the Door County leg of the internship was Maxwelton Braes Lodge in Baileys Harbor. With it’s convenient location, I had easy access to all of the communities and nearby public golf options. Before we dig Into the golf, please enjoy my “Favorite Five” non golf spots that I visited in Door County.
Not Licked Yet - If you can avoid the inappropriate jokes, you will find yourself some darn good custard.
White Gull Inn - The cherry stuffed French Toast is a must for any respectable visit to Door County. One of the few French Toasts to be featured on Good Morning America.
Harbor Fish Market & Grille - It had been 5 years since I enjoyed Alaskan King Crab legs and these babies changed my outlook on life.
Blue Ox - Solid curd situation with general shenanigans
Cana Island Lighthouse - You can wade through the shallow water or take a water tractor out to the island.
In addition to my favorite five spots, I uncovered three outstanding options for public golf in Door County. These were some of my favorite golf courses of the internship, not as much for their architectural merits, but for the ambiance that exists in Door County
The Orchards at Egg Harbor is the only public course in Door County with bentgrass fairways, tees and greens. So, it’s got an upscale and modern feel to the experience. The golf course measures 7200 yards from the back tees so it brings a modern challenge as well.
Best Par 3: The downhill par 7th earns a runaway victory as it blows away the competition in in the aesthetics category.
Best Par 4: The 5th hole has a fairway bunker that spans the entire length of the fairway and emanates strong Pete Dye vibes. 436 yards will require two good golf shots.
Best Par 5: While the 18th hole makes a strong case, the 7th provides much more uniqueness with a strong risk reward factor.
My favorite type of hotel is a hotel that has a golf course right in its back yard. Fortunately, that is the case at Maxwelton Braes. After getting up early and catching a Door County sunrise in my back yard, I teed it up on the first hole. The golf course has been around since 1929 and drips with golden age charm. At times, Door County can feel like a time machine to an earlier and more simple time. For a green fee of $27 it could be the least expensive time machine in the history of time machines.
My parents have wanted to visit Door County for decades, so when they heard that the internship was rolling through town, they decided to join me for this leg of the trip. They happily rode along as I golfed up a storm in Door County.
As you can tell by the picture on the righ,t my father is adept at taking it easy on the golf course. The picture above does a great job at showcasing another close call on the ace cam. I still have zero aces in my lifetime. I probably have 75 photos just like this.
Peninsula State Park Golf Course
Peninsula State Park Golf Course began as a 6 Hole course In 1917, grew to 9 Holes in 1923, and finally reached 18 holes of golf in 1931. Most notably, in 2021 it hosted the WSGA internship program and super star golfer, Patrick Koenig.
Patrick would golf hard and make plenty of birdies as he thrilled the galleries.
Translation:
Plenty of birdies = 2 birdies
The galleries = My parents
“This is easily one of my favorite rounds of golf during the entire internship”
As my mother, Carol, and I began the descent down the cart path on the 17th hole, Carol screamed out. “Oh God! oh god! GO SLOW!” She feared for her life and spoke with urgency. Naturally, as my mother’s son, I would gun it down the hill. Carol held onto the cart and let out some sort of terrified, yet suppressed, moan as we bounced towards the green. The high thrills ride would quickly and safely come to an end. “See, wasn’t that fun, Mom?” The pleasure of having my parents join in Door County was fantastic.
