The Club at Lac La Belle

Golf at Lac La Belle traces back to 1896, when an original nine laid out by Scottish-born professional David Foulis was established on the lake in Oconomowoc, making it one of the oldest courses in America. Its early pro shop was a proving ground for talent: Alex Smith, Robert Simpson, and Willie Anderson all worked here and together captured multiple U.S. Opens, Anderson famously winning four. By the 2010s the aging club faced chronic drainage problems, and architect Craig Haltom of Oliphant led a dramatic reimagining, essentially building a new course over the old bones. Crews moved roughly 150,000 cubic yards of earth, removed trees, rebuilt irrigation, and raised and sand-capped fairways to create a firm, walkable, template-influenced layout. The restored 18 reopened in 2020, pairing deep history with a genuinely modern playing experience.