I’m so excited to have Brian join our team, and asked him to put together a few paragraphs on his own golf journey and what’s driven him to write about golf.

Welcome to the team, Brian!

-Paul

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About me

I’m Brian Murphy, and I live in Cottage Grove with my wife Heidi and our petite goldendoodle Pepper. I work in the insurance industry. I grew up in Madison, learning the game at Nakoma Golf Club where I have since returned as an adult member. After college at UW-Madison, I lived in Chicago for 8 years where Heidi and I met. The low supply and high demand for quality public golf in Chicago were in stark contrast to golf in Wisconsin; this was apparent especially after we moved back to the Badger State six years ago and I was able to fully re-immerse myself in the game. Outside of golf, I enjoy sports (especially college basketball), spending time with family, and other outdoor activities such as hiking.

What I love about the game of golf

For starters, golf is a game that can be enjoyed for a lifetime that does not require superior athletic ability to enjoy it. I started playing golf as a child, and my early golf experience was more focused on learning the game, improving, and competing. I now compete less but have become very interested in golf course architecture and history. Golf is not only a fun sport to play, but also an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in beautiful natural settings. I love nature and the outdoors and being able to combine it with a challenging pursuit is truly a unique aspect of the game.

My Favorite Golf Experiences

I have so many experiences that come to mind but here are the ones that stand out by category:

Favorite Competitive Experience – in high school, shortly after cracking varsity for the first time, I holed out for an eagle from 180 yards late in a golf meet, on my way to a comeback third place individual finish. I’ve never been a scratch golfer and don’t have superior talent, but to compete at a high level for a short period of time was incredibly rewarding.

Favorite Golf Course Experience – in college I lucked into an opportunity to play Crystal Downs in Michigan through a friend’s grandparents. The brilliant MacKenzie/Maxwell golden age layout squeezed between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake blew me away and sparked my interest in golf architecture.

Favorite Spectator Experience – in the 2003 US Open at Olympia Fields, my Dad and I followed 53-year-old Tom Watson as he carded an opening round 65 and grabbed the early lead against all odds. We were next to the 16th green as his birdie putt hung on the edge for several seconds, and then dropped in for a birdie to thunderous applause.

Why I want to write about the game

First and foremost, I really enjoy writing as a form of creative expression. I have a lot of experience writing professionally, but this is my first notable attempt at creative writing, and I could not be more excited for the opportunity. Second, I feel lucky to live in a state that is so golf-rich on both the public and private ends and believe that writing about it would be my way of giving back to the game. Starting with Blackwolf Run in 1988, Wisconsin has quickly established itself as one of the top golf states in the country despite an annual months-long offseason. The natural beauty of the state has been enhanced and highlighted by its amazing golf courses. With even more promising high-profile new courses and renovations on the horizon, there is no sign of Wisconsin’s golf boom slowing down. Wisconsin also has many hidden gems with great beauty and architectural appeal that I would love to highlight in my writing. WiscoGolfAddict has been a tremendous platform to document and celebrate Wisconsin golf courses over the past several years, and I’m honored for the opportunity to contribute to it.