Wanaki Golf Course Now Up For Sale — And There's A Deadline

WAUKESHA, WI — The Wanaki Golf Course will continue for at least one more season after Waukesha County Board officials voted to keep the course open in 2020. Now it's up for sale.

The course is now up for sale for $1.52 million as county officials pursue a buyer for the 148-acre golf course for golf purposes. But there's a deadline for the sale.

In November, the Waukesha County Board voted to adopt a budget amendment that will keep the course open during golf season in 2020. Under the terms of the amendment, the County is funding golf course in operations 2020, with the intention of making it profitable in the long-term.

Under the terms of the two amendments passed in November, the County outlined their plan to run the course, while also creating a marketing committee that will pursue securing an operational lease agreement. The county also stipulated how to pursue leasing or selling the course over an extended timeline.

The course is now for sale on Colliers, a real estate brokerage. According to the listing, "The sale of the Wanaki Golf Course will be subject to a deed restriction specifying the property must be operated as a golf course for four years from the date of closing."

According to the listing, the following items are also up for sale: a variety of equipment, maintenance facilities, carts and storage facilities, putting green and clubhouse with pro shop, bar and grill, locker/restrooms, and offices all on 148 acres of land.

According to the amendment, county officials could sell Wanaki for outdoor recreation purposes by June 30. And if that fails, officials could sell the land for "highest and best use."

Wanaki Woes

County officials originally said they would close Wanaki for good after the 2019 golf season. In spite of efforts to increase revenue, officials said the golf course operated at a loss for years, depleting Waukesha County's golf course reserve fund. In addition, Wanaki Golf Course requires over $645,000 in repair and replacement projects.

Waukesha County officials said since 2001, Wanaki Golf Course has lost between $41,000 and $243,000 per year. In recent years, Waukesha County officials say they have tried a lot of different things based on recommendations provided by the National Golf Foundation to increase efficiency in operations and revenue, but could not offset losses.

Waukesha County acquired the 150-acre Wanaki property in 1967 after receiving an Outdoor Recreation Aids Program grant. Wanaki Golf Course opened in 1970.