Golf Program 2024 Year in Review

The 2024 golf season has been one of growth, engagement, and memorable moments for Madison’s golf community. From record-breaking rounds to exciting new events, here’s a look back at the highlights that made this year exceptional for Golf Madison Parks.

Staffing Changes

This year, we welcomed several key new members to our team:

• Clubhouse Supervisor (far left): Ken Allen joined us as our clubhouse supervisor, helping create a welcoming and efficient environment for all golfers and guests.
• Golf Programming Leadworker (second from left): Andrea Romines joined us to take the reins on golf programming, bringing new ideas and a passion to our community.
• New Golf Director (second from right): I began my role as Golf Director in February, and I am excited to help lead and grow the golf program in our city.
• Golf Course Superintendent Trainee (far right): Erik Disch came on board as our new golf course superintendent 1 trainee at Monona Golf Course, ensuring the course remains in top condition.

A Historic Golf Season

The 2024 season included some unprecedented milestones:

• Earliest Start on Record: For the first time in history, we opened for the season in February, with Monona, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills opening on February 25 and The Glen following on March 1.
• Record-Breaking Rounds Played: 2024 set a new record for rounds played, with a total of 160,502 rounds, surpassing last year’s record of 152,681 by 7,821 rounds. This increase reflects the growing popularity of golf in Madison and the dedication of our community to enjoy the courses we offer.

Community Engagement & Special Events

Our golf courses have become more than just places to play golf; they’re hubs for community events, bringing together people of all ages to enjoy a variety of activities.

• 25 Non-Golf Events at The Glen Golf Park: We hosted 25 non-golf events with over 1,500 attendees, ranging from movie nights and live music to exercise classes, creating opportunities for people to gather and have fun outside of the golf course.
• Volunteer Work Days: We held 11 volunteer work days at The Glen Golf Park and Odana Hills, where volunteers worked to enhance our native areas. Seeds collected at events were used to establish native plantings at new parks and golf courses, contributing to environmental sustainability.
• 100 Years of Parks Celebration: The Madison Parks Foundation marked its centennial at The Glen Golf Park with a special celebration that also served as the launch for their capital campaign. It was an honor to host this meaningful event, which highlighted the importance of parks in our community.
• Ride the Drive Event: Our golf program participated in the Ride the Drive event, offering fun golf games, prizes, and an opportunity to connect with the community. It was a great day of family-friendly activities and a showcase of the fun that golf can bring to all ages.
• Trunk or Treat at Odana Hills: We hosted the first-ever trunk or treat event at Odana Hills Golf Course, which proved to be a huge success. Children trick-or-treated in the parking lot, decorated golf balls, enjoyed more treats, and played games in the clubhouse—a memorable, family-friendly event for all.
• Parks Alive: The golf program was also part of the Parks Alive program this season. Held in various parks across Madison, these events offered music, family activities, free food, and a chance for people to connect with their neighbors and green spaces. We were proud to be part of this city-wide celebration of community and parks.

Yahara Hills Course Renovation

One of the most exciting projects of the year has been the ongoing renovation of Yahara Hills Golf Course. We’ve seen tremendous progress with the completion of most of the work on the new back nine, including:

• New Tees and Bunkers: New tees and bunkers have been added to enhance the course’s challenge and playability.
• Oak Savannah Restoration: A beautiful oak savannah is being restored along the right-hand side of hole number 18, contributing to the ecological health of the course and offering a stunning new landscape feature.

Looking Ahead

As we wrap up 2024, we are grateful for the continued support of our golfers, volunteers, and the entire Madison community. We are excited about the future of our golf program and look forward to even more growth, new events, and continued improvements to our facilities in the years ahead.

Thank you for making 2024 such a memorable year. We look forward to seeing you at Monona, Odana Hills, Yahara Hills and The Glen Golf Park in 2025!

All the Best,

Dave Vetrovec
Golf Director