PGA TOUR winner Steve Stricker will lead the project at the Madison, Wis. property, which will be renamed TPC Wisconsin. Executing in a phased approach, the clubhouse refresh began in February with this initial phase expected to be finalized ahead of the golf course renovation completion in August 2023.
Cherokee Country Club in Madison, Wis. will become the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network’s 30th property in its stable of premier golf facilities and will be renamed TPC Wisconsin. The club will be added as a licensed property, with ownership and operations remaining under Cherokee Park Inc.
The property will receive a complete overhaul to the golf course, including the Golf Academy and clubhouse. Leading the project as his first course design is 12-time PGA TOUR winner, eight-time PGA TOUR Champions winner, and Madison-resident Steve Stricker.
For 60 years, Cherokee Country Club has served as Madison’s only private facility offering an 18-hole golf course, all-season golf range, indoor and outdoor tennis, pickleball and a 25-meter Olympic-size outdoor pool.
“This is an exciting day for TPC Network as we welcome this wonderful facility as a licensed property into our portfolio,” said Jim Triola, PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties Chief Operating Officer. “While we have been methodical in the planning process, the decision to move forward in this new and thriving market was unanimous from the start. Knowing the exceptional product that would result from the redesign by Steve Stricker, along with ownership’s commitment to invest in its member and guest experience, this project has significant momentum that is sure to result in an elevated experience.”
Executing in a phased approach, the clubhouse refresh began in February of 2022 with this initial phase expected to be finalized ahead of the golf course renovation completion in August 2023. The clubhouse will remain open throughout the construction process and the golf course is currently closed until completion.
Born in Edgerton, Wis., Stricker’s plans include re-grading the course to accent advancements to the game since it was developed, by repositioning features and rebuilding all the infrastructure including greens, tees, bunkers and an all-new cart path system.
“I couldn’t ask for a better scenario with my first golf course design project to be the same property that I spent the better part of 30 years of my golf career and where I have raised my family,” said Steve Stricker. “TPC Wisconsin will be a dream project for me. It’s one I have taken great pride in designing what I feel will be a course that will test the best players in the world but also provide playability at every level. It will get every ounce of my energy and attention to be the best golf course and golf experience that there is, and I look forward to playing a role in bringing it to fruition.”
The golf course will be replanted with newer, more improved species of turf-grass and will have a new, more efficient, irrigation system installed. Some re-routing of the golf holes will occur to improve green-to-tee walks and create hubs of greens and tees. Spectator mounding will be integrated into many of these areas, taking into consideration the local/regional amateur and professional events to be played at TPC Wisconsin.
In addition to the course redesign, the Golf Academy will also receive a remodel including a new indoor hitting structure that will include club and putter fitting rooms, indoor putting green and a new space for food and beverages, along with a short game practice area and Toptracer technology.
TPC Wisconsin is proud to incorporate significant environmental improvements throughout the golf course. The proximity of the course to the Cherokee Marsh, part of an extensive wetland complex of more than 2,000 acres, lends itself to an important component of the overall health of the local and regional ecosystem. TPC Wisconsin is restoring more than 35-acres of degraded on-site wetlands to improve floral diversity, pollinator habitat, and grassland bird nesting areas.
Various boardwalk structures and clear span bridges serving as golf car and walking paths have been incorporated for crossing over wetland and waterway resources that integrates the ecological features with the golf and spectator experience.
The course also features extensive waterways and water features undergoing rehabilitation to improve water quality, fisheries and amphibian habitat, and other aquatic species diversity. Heartland Ecological Group, Inc., a local women-owned firm, completed a comprehensive ecological restoration plan and is leading the restoration efforts.
Local firm, Architectural Design Consultants, Inc. has been tasked with the Cherokee Country Club renovation, along with Silver Leaf Interiors, with the goal of modernizing amenities and enriching the member experience.
The ongoing project will include interior and exterior design upgrades to all clubhouse rooms including the Cherokee Lounge – including an all-new bar, lighting and A/V system; Sequoia Room – leveling the floor, adding walls to separate the bar from the current dining space, adding a new bar top, windows, lighting and more; sports lounge and pro shop – adding fresh paint, flooring, bar top, lighting and av; as well as the men’s and women’s locker rooms with new half lockers, adding additional space, remodeled showers, new lighting and refurbishing the sauna and jacuzzi.
The renovation will also create easy access to the golf course, tennis courts and restaurant at the club.
“The TPC brand is synonymous with premier golf facilities that host PGA TOUR events,” said Dennis Tiziani, Owner and President of Cherokee Park Inc. “We are proud to join TPC Network and offer a PGA TOUR level golf course and facilities in Madison and the state of Wisconsin. TPC Wisconsin will be an amazing venue and I am proud to help bring this dream to reality and deliver the one-of-a-kind experience we envision for our members.”
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