Waukesha County on Monday closed on its sale of Wanaki Golf Course in Menomonee Falls to a private ownership group that includes the Storm Family Group and Scott Schaefer, owner of Milwaukee Brat House and Jack’s American Pub.
The private ownership group, SAS Land LLC, purchased the Wanaki property from the county for $1.525 million, according to Colliers International | Wisconsin. Joe Eldredge of Colliers, represented the county in the transaction.
The new ownership group issued a news release saying they are “enthusiastic to begin operations at Wanaki Golf Course.”
The Storm Family Group has been involved in the local golf industry for 68 years. Its local courses include Missing Links in Mequon, Brookfield Hills Golf Course and St. John’s Northwestern Golf Course in Delafield. The Storm Family Group also operates Storm’s Golf Range in Brookfield.
“Avid golfers can rest assured that Wanaki Golf Course has an experienced management team that is passionate about golf,” the ownership group said.
The group said it is planning improvements at Wanaki, including: the addition of a full-service bar and restaurant to be called The Turn Bar & Grill, adding 60 new golf carts to the course’s current fleet, installing new restrooms and removing more than 320 trees from the property that were infected with emerald ash borer.
“The golf course is in great condition currently, so additions and improvements will come in the form of expanding amenities for guests, golfers and the community as a whole,” the ownership group said. “With the introduction of food and beverage operations, Wanaki could become a year-round destination capable of hosting events during the winter months.”
Wanaki Golf Course opened in 1970. It was designed by Billy Sixty Jr., Bob Lohmann and Arthur Hills. The county acquired the 150-acre property, located northwest of Lannon (County Highway Y) and Lisbon (County Highway K) roads, in 1967 after receiving an Outdoor Recreation Aids Program grant. The Fox River runs through the property.
The property sale includes the 18-hole 6,560-yard golf course, equipment, 4,290 square feet of maintenance facilities, golf carts, an 1,820-square-foot storage facility, a putting green, and a 3,888-square-foot clubhouse with pro shop, bar and grill, and locker/restrooms, according to Colliers.
The golf course closed on Nov. 22. A grand reopening is planned in the spring of 2021.
“We would like to say thank you to our great customers and fantastic staff for your part in our 50 exceptional years in business,” Waukesha County golf course management said in a message on the county’s website. “We truly appreciate everyone who has come out to play the course over those years. It is the tremendous loyalty and support of our customers that has made Wanaki a special place to play the game.
“We are very pleased that Wanaki will continue operation under the ownership of the Storm Family group, and we know that it will remain a very special place to play golf for many years.”
Waukesha County still operates two golf courses:
Naga-Waukee War Memorial Golf Course in Delafield and
Moor Downs Golf Course in Waukesha.
