Emergency 9 Golf has created a masterplan for the historical renovation of North Hills Country Club in Menomonee Falls near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The design firm referenced historical photographs and a letter about the seventh hole written by AW Tillinghast (during his time consulting for the PGA of America) while developing plans for the course, which was originally designed by John Barr and built by Pioneer Golf & Landscape in 1928.
The first phase will involve tee work, reinstating open-air drainage channels throughout the property and enlarging the greens so they are closer to their original size and feature more pin locations. In addition, the original bunker concepts will be restored using a combination of cross-over bunkers and greenside runoffs.
“With this historical renovation, Emergency 9 Golf is focused on the original Golden Age aesthetic,” said Samuel Beckman of Emergency 9 Golf. “The golf course must remain both a challenge for the highest skilled players and entertaining for those who play socially. It is our role to honour the North Hills spirit, making sure it remains true to the original design intent and the environment it exists in, even as this game we love constantly evolves.”
Watch: a hole-by-hole walkthrough of the proposed changes.
Minor renovations are expected to begin in winter 2024-2025 and will be followed by course construction in autumn 2026. The project is set to be completed in time for the club’s 100th anniversary and the 2029 Wisconsin Amateur Championship.