Madison’s greatest asset is its natural environment, with the state’s capital nestled amidst a network of lakes, marshes and forest adjecant to the dramatic topography of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. The area golf scene thrives in this setting, boasting a deep lineup of courses with a wealth of variety and challenge.
On the north side of town, Bishops Bay Country Club tours some of Madison’s most scenic land, starting and ending on the shore of Lake Mendota while winding its way through picturesque countryside. This modern Bob Lohmann-designed layout complements its fine natural setting, yielding a solid challenge for elite players yet playability for the lay golfer.
Few would deny that the Bishops Bay clubhouse is Madison’s most memorable homebase for a golf property, set against the lake with a clear view of the State Capitol. The building is a historic landmark, an elegant classic mansion that was previously the residence of the Bishops of the Madison Catholic Diocese (notice the tie-in to the course name?). Take a boat tour on Lake Mendota and you’ll get a great view of the clubhouse, the 18th green and the rest of this immaculate setting.
Bishops Bay is a 90’s-era private club, conceived under the watch of Bob Lohmann who, often with Todd Quitno as a co-designer, has made his mark on Midwest golf over the years. Noteworthy original designs include Canyata Golf Club and The Merit Club in Illinois and Pioneer Pointe in Wisconsin, and a significant renovation portfolio including the impressive revamp of Abbey Springs.
Lohmann and Quitno have a knack for crafting beautiful golf holes that seamlessly blend in with their surroundings, and Lohmann’s solo work at Bishops Bay certainly fit this mold earlier in his career.
This is one of the most pro-style courses in the area, making it a popular practice spot for elite golfers. I’ve heard rumors of local legends Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly visiting often to practice on tour-caliber green speeds. The course also stretches to over 7,000 yards to provide adequate challenge for the professional player or plus-handicap. At the same time, the course has proven quite playable for an upper-single digit handicap player like myself, with a wide range of tees to select from and spacious fairways.
The course winds its way through a sprawling suburban community, stretching from the shores of the lake to open countryside miles to the north. The sheer scale of the routing lends itself to a riding-only experience with long distances between some greens and tees, but the variety you’ll experience at Bishops Bay sets it apart from its peers.
As a Madison native, this was one of the few courses in the area that I never had a chance to play growing up. Several years ago, though, that finally changed and I was instantly enchanted with the design and setting in my first visit. Ever since, this place has been high on my wish list to review and photograph, and I was able to take advantage of an opportunity this season on a beautiful mid-summer morning.
Alongside golf buddy, WiscoGolfAddict contributor and photography partner-in-crime Rich Bauer, we arrived on site before sunrise to find the air draped with humidity, promising more of the suboptimal photographic conditions that have plagued much of this summer. But on this day, the air quickly cleared, yielding some of the best light and shadows I’ve seen all year. Joining us for golf were my co-worker and friend, Adam, and Rich’s friend, Greg. It was a fun group as we tackled this compelling layout on a pristine summer day.
Course Overview
Bishops Bay Country Club
Middleton, WI
Architect: Bob Lohmann (1995)
Par 72, 7123/6679/6339/6085/5479/5313 Yards
Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/131, 72.6/128, 71.2/124, 69.9/122, 67.3/116, 66.4/113
Hole-by-Hole Rundown
The first is a short dogleg left bending around a pond, one of two holes situated next to the clubhouse and southeast of Highway M. This is a very gentle handshake, unless you play a low slice like me. I missed this wide fairway twice, first with a pull into the water and then a block into trees right before limping my way to a breakfast ball bogey.
The second is a longer par four with a semi-blind tee shot. Longer hitters should have no problem flying a fairway trap up the right side to catch a slope and run out to short wedge distance. With the green sloping heavily from back-to-front, favor the short side to avoid a downhill putt on this slippery surface.
One unique touch you’ll find on Bishops Bay is a handful of sod-faced bunkers sprinkled throughout the layout. Avoid them at all costs! The second green is closely guarded short-left by one of these potential round-killers.
The par three third is an inviting-looking mid-iron shot, but beware the large bunker that promises to devour any miss towards the left side. After pulling my tee shot into it, I faced a difficult recovery and proceeded to make my third straight bogey to start the round.
The fourth kicks off a back-to-back par five stretch, playing dramatically uphill through the woods. With a fairway that’s wider than it appears, this is a manageable three-shotter, but if you encounter any tree trouble you’ll be behind the eight-ball quickly.
After a long cart ride through the woods you’ll emerge upon the expansive northern half of the property, which is highlighted by rolling terrain and long views of the countryside next to the Bishops Bay community.
The par five fifth dives downhill with OB left and fescue-covered hills right. A collection of fairway traps pinches the landing zone off the tee, making it a good spot to rip one down the middle. The layup zone is guarded closely by a pond long and left, making it ideal to favor the right side even if you’re not trying to get home in two.
Despite the collection of trouble on this hole, it still has plenty of width and makes for a good scoring opportunity.
The sixth is a challenging uphill par four that steers the routing into a beautiful section of countryside. A false front and deep bunker short-left make this one of the most demanding approaches on site.
The seventh features one of the most dramatic tee shots at Bishops Bay, playing downhill with a gorgeous field of fescue in the backdrop. The orientation of this par four strongly favors a draw, as anything blocked right will be lost to the tall grass. I managed to keep my slice in check here, ripping my tee shot down the middle. That was only the start of the battle, though, as I succumbed to a tough approach and still carded a bogey.
The eighth is a shorter par three with a tough multi-sectioned green that demands a precise shot. Playing to a back pin, I picked a great spot to hit one of my best irons of the day, prompting a great birdie opportunity (which I of course missed!).
A feeling of peace and seclusion really sets in at the ninth, located miles from the clubhouse with expansive views of open farmland beyond. This tricky uphill short par four bends sharply to the left. Take great care here to pick a wise aiming point off the tee, and avoid the left side which could get blocked out by trees. I unfortunately found a sod-faced bunker short of the green, and after two hacks to get out I predictably carded my only double bogey of the day.
The par three tenth is home to perhaps the coolest golf-adjacent structure in all of Madison – a vine-covered silo. This rustic stalwart sits to the left of the green, and to my surprise I found out it’s actually in play after Adam hit a sweeping hook off the top of it (note, a good bounce is possible off the silo, but unfortunately it was unkind to him this time).
The 10th hole itself is a rather straightforward, shorter iron shot to a plateau green. Execute a good swing and you’ll be in good shape here, and I’m sure glad I did after watching all of my playing partners struggle from off the green.
The 11th features an intimidating tee shot over a fescue-covered gulley and through a chute of trees. Like most other drives at Bishops Bay, though, there is plenty of room to miss despite the daunting visuals. Playing downhill, this shorter par five is reachable in two even for shorter hitters like myself, but a challenging, well-defended green complex more than makes up for the length.
The par four 12th is a beautifully-crafted hole with one of the trickier tee shots on site. Ample options exist off the tee, each coming with their own challenges due the placement of fairway traps. Longer hitters may rightfully challenge the left side to fly it into short wedge range, but short hitters like myself are better served playing to the right with potentially less than driver. I wisely chose the latter route and was rewarded with a routine par after two well-executed shots.
The dogleg right 13th features a long fairway trap standing guard against aggressive tee shots, followed by tough approach to an elevated green. Strategic options are in play here, as timid drives to the left will lead to a more challenging angle over a greenside trap short-left.
Bringing the routing back to the southern half of the property, the 14th is a starkly downhill par four with a sweeping view of the lake from the tee. Despite longer yardage on the scorecard, this plays more like a short four due to the elevation change. The massive 14th green slopes heavily from back-to-front, making it important to find the correct section of the green to secure a par.
The 15th is a shorter par four with a pond lining the right side. Both times I’ve played here, I’ve wisely chosen less than driver off the tee which set up an easy wedge from the fairway. A small sod-faced bunker lurks just short of the green, well-placed to snag aggressive tee shots from longer hitters.
The par five 16th features a generous tee shot, followed by water infringing on the layup zone and the right side of the green. The green is also protected by sand short, encouraging a layup down the left side to optimize the approach angle.
The 17th is a demanding par three with water right and contours that will pull the ball toward the pond. However, bailing out to the left is no easy proposition as it could prompt a high-pressure flop shot from the rough with the hazard lurking in the background. It’s best just to rip a mid-to-long iron at the center of the green and hope for the best.
The closer also happens to be the best-known hole at Bishops Bay, featuring a heavily-photographed approach shot with the lake and Madison skyline in the backdrop. Don’t get too distracted by the scenery, though, as this longer par four requires two excellent shots to finish strong. Even though the green was recently moved closer to the water to enhance the dramatic view, Lake Mendota is only in play for the most severe skulls.
Closing Thoughts
With its unique natural setting, strong modern architecture and dazzling clubhouse, Bishops Bay has positioned itself as one of Madison’s premier private golf experiences. You won’t find it in any major published best-in-state rankings, but it can’t be too far off those lists and will certainly clock in favorably in my Madison Top Ten ranking that I plan to post at the end of this season. It’s definitely a gem to target if you’re visiting the area and have access to the course.
Bishops Bay Country Club Website
All original photography in this article by Brian Murphy and Rich Bauer for WiscoGolfAddict
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Thanks for the comment. I didn’t mean to say that the course is unwalkable, just that it would be a challenge for most to walk it. I wouldn’t change one thing about the routing – it’s great the way it is!
I agree I remember the rounds I’ve played there and thought the same thing: this place would be a tough walk in summer heat! Very fun course, though, and certainly one of the best in the Madison area. Nice article, Brian!
As a member since 2011, I find this to be completely misleading: “The sheer scale of the routing lends itself to a riding-only experience with long distances between some greens and tees…” The course is walkable. Sure, most don’t, but it can be played with 9 clubs in a single strap or a full bag (carrying or on a push cart). Sure, there are some long walks, but suck it up and have a day playing golf the way it’s meant to be played.