Door County, located in Wisconsin, is a popular tourist destination known for its old-school charm and stunning scenery. With 300 miles of shoreline, 11 lighthouses, five state parks, and a variety of dining options, the area has been attracting visitors from the Midwest for decades. One of the highlights of the region is Washington Island, situated about seven miles from the tip of the Door Peninsula in Lake Michigan.
Deer Run Golf Course, the only golf course on Washington Island, was facing the possibility of closure this summer due to neglect. The 9-hole course, which opened in 1970, had fallen into disrepair, with maintenance equipment sitting idle and the fairways becoming overgrown. However, local businessman Keith Mann stepped in with a group of volunteers to save the course.
After working behind the scenes to secure the financial aspects of the golf course, Mann gained full control of the property, including the clubhouse, restaurant, motel, and a strip of land along the main road. With plans to improve visibility and accessibility to the course, Mann expressed optimism about the future of the scenic nine-hole track.
With the help of experts in course maintenance and turf management, Mann is working on improving conditions at Deer Run Golf Course. Projects such as tree-trimming, repairing irrigation pond liners, and pest control are on the agenda to enhance the overall quality of the course. Despite unseasonably warm weather, Mann has kept the course open later into the season and plans to re-open the restaurant soon.
As part of the transition process, Mann has removed the previous name from the course and is currently accepting submissions for a new name and logo. Submissions can be sent to Mann’s email address by November 15th, with the winners set to receive a $100 gift card each. The goal is to create a brand that is more relevant to the island and its visitors.
Overall, the revitalization efforts at Deer Run Golf Course represent a new chapter in the history of the island’s only golf course. With Mann’s dedication to improving the property and the support of volunteers and experts in the industry, the future looks bright for this charming nine-hole track on Washington Island in Door County, Wisconsin.
