George Williams College Golf Course Opens 2006 Season April 7

Williams Bay, Wis., March 12, 2006 — Aurora University’s George Williams College golf course located at Highway 67 and North Lakeshore Drive in Williams Bay, Wis., opens its 104th season on Friday, April 7.

The public is invited to play the 18-hole course. A celebration to kick off the season will be held from Friday, April 7 through Monday, April 9. Free refreshments will be available through the weekend.

Course hours are dawn to dusk seven days a week. Daily and season rates are available for adults, seniors (age 65 and better), and juniors (under age 18).

Gas-powered carts, pull carts, and bags of clubs are available for rental. The course features watered tees, greens and fairways; and a clubhouse with equipment and refreshments for purchase.

Tee-time reservations are required Friday through Monday and holidays. The public, par 67, 5,066-yard family course has a 102 slope and 63.4 rating.

John Grove, course general manager, said, “This course is challenging for the average golfer but not overwhelming for the beginner. Scenic beauty is a feature of the course, with Yerkes Observatory overlooking the second and third holes.”

From its founding in 1902, Grove said, the golf course has maintained its mission to stress etiquette and skill rather than competition, to introduce students to the game, and to keep rates reasonable and affordable for all.

“It’s a great course to learn to play golf on,” said Grove. “The course is very walkable and will give golfers a good workout and a wonderful view.”

For information and reservations, call 262-245-9507 or 262-245-8650.

Course History

The George Williams College Golf Course began as a dream of professors at Yerkes Observatory and the YMCA staff of the neighboring George Williams College.

Play began in 1902 on six holes laid out by Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. In 1906, the course was expanded to nine holes open to the public. In 1918, the course was expanded to 18 holes through a gift by S.B. Chapin, a local benefactor. The Carolyn Gramley clubhouse was built and dedicated in 1929.