MONROE — There will be a party after all.

Monroe Golf Club’s 18-hole gem will indeed celebrate its 100th year anniversary. And if new ownership and management has anything to say about it, golfers will be “rocking in” birthdays for many years to come.

Founded in the summer of 1923, but most recently frozen in years of mounting debt, the club was sure to close before the spring opening of the 2023 golf season. Knowing this, the MGC Board of Directors sought to find relief in the form of a friendly acquirer who could both flip the club’s financial fortunes and keep the pristine, par 70 links open for play.

Enter three familiar Monroe community focused members who know a lot about successful business turnarounds, organizational culture, and performance metrics. In short, they want to restore pride and stability, and instill a splash of excitement to MGC, one of Wisconsin golf’s hidden gems.

The three men are mainstays in Monroe. John Baumann and Mike Sanders each recently retired after long tenures as Presidents and CEOs at Monroe’s two largest employers — Baumann at Colony Brands and Sanders at the Monroe Clinic. Greg Fedders retired as Legal Counsel at SPX before launching Ludlow Mansion Events four years ago with his wife Penny.

When considering the recent financial failings at the club, the men openly acknowledge that locals have good reason to believe the men are a little crazy for taking on the challenge. Perhaps it is because of the club’s location in rural Wisconsin, but much of the golf boom brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has largely bypassed Monroe.

Sanders and Fedders noted that the path to success will be a journey, but they are excited to start this new journey. Baumann said a key element in reaching success is going to rest on the club’s ability to attract more regional golfers and gain a more prominent spot on the southern Wisconsin golf map. The men all agree that such an objective will require sharpening the MGC brand in order to gain the positive momentum they need to appeal to more golfers.

“A positive member experience will be at the heart of all changes made at the club,” Fedders said. “Some upgrades will be immediate, while others will take time to install.”

“Ordinarily you’d want to take charge of a golf club in September so that you’d have time to make the changes necessary to be successful,” Baumann said. “We don’t have that luxury.”

“It’s like building a plane when you’re already flying at 30,000 feet,” added Sanders. “There will be an adjustment period, but we’re really excited to get going and bring a great product to Monroe area golfers.”

Building Customer Service

It starts with an obsession for customer service. All three men agree that while some physical changes to the golf course and buildings may take time, they fully believe they can have an immediate impact on the customer service offered at the club.

“The successful rebranding of MGC is 100% dependent on the member and guest experience,” Baumann said. “From the moment a member or guest shows up on the club grounds, we want them to feel very welcome. And when that person leaves, we want them to be able to tell their friends what a wonderful place MGC is.”

Sanders said the new ownership team will work tirelessly with the staff to build a service culture that is second to none. 

“Good service is free to provide,” he said, “but it takes time to build it into your business culture.”

The same, but Better

The 18-hole course will remain intact with some minor modifications to be made over time. Immediate improvements will be made by rebuilding several tees and a few of the bunkers. Over time, changes will be made to some bunkers in order to make the game more enjoyable for the less skilled player. However, low handicap players can expect the course will remain as challenging as ever. The new management team will lean on the experience and course knowledge of 15-year grounds superintendent Drew Putzer to weigh in on the necessary upgrades.

ALL about Golf

Growing golf at MGC and building golf as a community asset is at the heart of this acquisition. 

“The three of us each have a history of working to support organizations in and around Monroe,” Sanders said. “I think it gives each of us a lot of personal satisfaction. Our project at the club is another way for us to give back and build on a really important community asset.”

The club will be open to play for community members of all ages and skill levels. Baumann said youth will have the opportunity to develop skills to make the game enjoyable, while learning the values and life skills the sport teaches. 

“The goal is to afford every Monroe youth the opportunity to tee up a ball and record a score,” he said.

Introducing the Lil Gem

Baumann said he can hardly contain his excitement for one of the club’s first new undertakings, a 12-hole loop. For years, time-pressed golfers have yearned to play a round of golf that extends beyond nine holes but can be played in less than three hours. For those players MGC will offer the Lil Gem, a 12-hole, par 49 track that will be laid out on the first 12 holes of the current course. Using the current greens, players will be able to play those 12 holes from the traditional tees or they’ll be able to choose to play from a new set of tees that will extend a total of about 2,400 yards.

Baumann said the shortened course will end on the par 3 12th hole, just outside the club house and adjacent to the club pub and outdoor patio. 

“It will be a great setting for golfers to enjoy a post-round snack or beverage and still be able to watch their friends finish their rounds,” Baumann said. “Less experienced and younger golfers should find the Lil Gem an attractive, casual option.”

Memberships and Public Play

Memberships will be the core of what drives MGC forward. Member benefits will include complete access to the course and preferred tee times. The owners believe that substantial public play will be important for maintaining the financial health of the club. However, certain hours and days of the week may be limited to member with guest play.

The Club House

Fedders said that while the physical structure of the club house is in sound shape, much of it is dated or needs some repair. He said some areas require remodeling, while others would be well served with a fresh coat of paint. The new management team will look to start making improvements to the property immediately.

Bar and Dining

Bar and dining availability should remain fairly consistent with past years, Fedders said. However, members should expect the service to be prompt and efficient.

The menu for dining has not been determined and may change over time. However, Sanders said golfers should know that there will be great emphasis placed on the quality of food offered.

Special Events

The three men see the course’s location as a real asset. MGC’s rolling hills host some of the most beautiful vistas in Green County. Fedders says the facility has tremendous untapped potential for hosting outside gatherings and events. The new ownership team offers the experience to better leverage this opportunity and create a robust events center.

Opening Day Just Weeks Away

The first shot has yet to be teed up in 2023, but the new club owners can’t wait for the season-long anniversary celebration to begin. 

“We’re excited and ready to go,” Fedders said. “Let the games begin.”