Yahara Hills Golf Course Redesign
January 31, 2025 Update
Tree work continues throughout the winter. The removal of dead trees and overgrown underbrush continues at Yahara Hills. Many strategic trees on the course are being pruned. The view from the clubhouse is beginning to open up as the area around the pond near the clubhouse has been cleaned up.
Opening up the left side of Hold 14 revealed a large oak tree that was hidden by dead pine trees and excessive understory growth.
The bunkers on Hole 18 have been installed. The greenside bunker was dug and drainage and sand has been added.
The new Hole 18 fairway bunker has been dug in. The fairway around the bunker got reshaped. Drainage and sand still needs to be added.
The greenside bunker on Hole 10 was completed. The surrounding area was dormant seeded and will emerge in the spring.
Project Details
Project Information
The Master Concept Plan for Yahara Hills is available.
Yahara Hills Golf Course Redesign FAQ
Background
The Task Force on Municipal Golf in Madison Parks was formed in 2019 to provide recommendations to the City related to the Golf Enterprise Program and the land that it currently uses. The Task Force’s FINAL REPORT was accepted by the Common Council in January 2021. The report offered ten recommendations, including that the City should continue providing golf services and that it should reduce 18 holes of golf at Yahara Hills. Though the Task Force did recommend against selling of park land to generate reinvestment funding, it did not have the specific proposal related to a sale to Dane County to consider.
In February 2023 the City of Madison closed on the sale of roughly 200 acres of Yahara Hills Golf Course to Dane County, with a visionary plan to develop a Sustainability Campus. This forward-thinking initiative aims to create a vibrant hub for sustainable practices, environmental education, and community engagement. The Sustainability Campus offers benefits to the City such as reduced transportation costs and emissions, increased operational efficiency, localized waste management control, and a heightened awareness of responsible waste practices. The Sustainability Campus is still in the planning stages, and full implementation will take place over a number of years. The Golf Program will utilize proceeds from the Land Sale to make investments in the course.
Meanwhile, 36 holes of golf are still available at the course and the City has entered into an agreement that allows for continued operation of the golf course, with a phased reduction from 36 holes to 18 holes by the end of the 2025 season. Our vision is to optimize the golfing experience for 18 holes while utilizing existing infrastructure and preserving the natural landscape. In addition, one of our key objectives is to make golf more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. To achieve this, we are committed to providing enhanced short tees. These tees will allow beginners, juniors, and those seeking a more relaxed round of golf to have a satisfying experience while still enjoying the challenge of the course. Our approach is intended to minimize disruption to the environment and maintain the course's unique character. We understand the importance of balancing the enjoyment of golf with the preservation of our natural resources, and we are dedicated to achieving this delicate harmony.
Timeline
2023-2024 Seasons: Operate existing 36 holes
2025 Season: Operate up to 27 holes
2026 Season until at least 2043*: Operate 18 holes
Please note: Course improvement work will begin in Fall of 2023 and may temporarily impact the number of holes available for play during this time.
*The Parks Division expects offer recreational amenities at this location beyond 2043. However, the type and location of those amenities will be determined at a future date.
Project Plans
The Master Concept Plan for Yahara Hills is available.
Public Engagement
Plans were posted in the Yahara Hills Golf Course clubhouse to solicit feedback through September 1, 2023. Parks staff held a online information and input session and held public drop-in hours in August of 2023.
Project Updates
Skip accordions
January 31, 2025 Update
Tree work continues throughout the winter. The removal of dead trees and overgrown underbrush continues at Yahara Hills. Many strategic trees on the course are being pruned. The view from the clubhouse is beginning to open up as the area around the pond near the clubhouse has been cleaned up.
Opening up the left side of Hold 14 revealed a large oak tree that was hidden by dead pine trees and excessive understory growth.
The bunkers on Hole 18 have been installed. The greenside bunker was dug and drainage and sand has been added.
The new Hole 18 fairway bunker has been dug in. The fairway around the bunker got reshaped. Drainage and sand still needs to be added.
The greenside bunker on Hole 10 was completed. The surrounding area was dormant seeded and will emerge in the spring.
October 22, 2024 Update
Work began on Hole 10. There will be 3 new tees as part of the new design. The back 2 tees were moved 50 yards to the east to create a dogleg for the hole and bring the water more into play. A new forward tee was built approximately 240 yards from the green.
Work began renovating the existing greenside bunker on Hole 10. The bunker is being shifted closer to the green and flattened. Even though the bunker will remain large, it will be reduced by approximately 30%. Drainage will added to the bottom of the bunker.
The front right greenside bunker on Hole 13 was eliminated. The bunker was filled and the edges were graded to match the surrounding grade. This was seeded and covered.
The new forward tee on Hole 15 received its final grade and was sodded.
Three bunkers on Hole 18 have been eliminated. The first left fairway bunker was filled. Extra fill was used on this to create more of a mound feature on the hole. This bunker was seeded and covered. Seed germination has been great and the bunker is mostly covered.
The front right greenside bunker on Hole 18 was filled. The bunker edges were graded to match the surrounding grade. This was seeded and covered. Seed germination has been great and the bunker is mostly covered.
The back right greenside bunker on Hole 18 was filled. The bunker edges were graded to match the surrounding grade. This was seeded and covered. Seed germination has been great and the bunker is mostly covered.
Conservation work continued at Yahara. A large area to the east of Hole 18 has been cleared of underbrush and has revealed a large oak savannah. This area will be managed like and oak savannah restoration now with the help of conservation and ecology teams.
Upcoming Work
Complete bunker work on Hole 10
Build new forward tee on Hole 14
Final grading of new approach on Hole 14
Construct new bunker on Hole 18 approach
Construct new bunker on Hole 18 fairway
August 27, 2024 Update
The fairway bunker on Hole 11 has been seeded and covered. Seed germination has already started and is beginning to fill in.
The back right greenside bunker on Hole 13 has been seeded and covered. Seed germination has already started and is beginning to fill in.
The new forward tee on Hole 15 was started. The tee surface received its final grade and will be seeded/sodded. Once grown in the tee will be mowed as part of the fairway.
The right greenside bunker on Hole 15 was completed. The bunker was shifted closer to the green and flattened out. Drainage was added to the bottom of the bunker. The bunker faces were sodded and sand was added to the bunker. The remaining disturbed ground was seeded and covered.
Work began on renovating the left fairway bunker on Hole 15. The old, contaminated sand in the bunker was removed. Work began to shape the bunker and it has received its rough grade.
Upcoming Work
Adding sand to Hole 16 fairway bunker
Complete the Hole 15 fairway bunker
Seed/sod the new forward tee on Hole 15
Complete filling the right greenside bunker on Hole 14
August 2, 2024 Update
The new forward tee on Hole 16 was completed. Once grown in, the tee will be mowed as part of the fairway.
The Hole 16 left greenside bunker was completed. The bunker was shifted closer to the green and flattened out. Work included adding drainage, sodding the bunker faces, and adding sand.
Work began on renovating the Hole 16 left fairway bunker. The old, contaminated sand in the bunker had to be removed. The bunker was shaped, graded, and received added drainage.
The left greenside bunker on Hole 11 has been completed.
The Hole 11 left fairway bunker was eliminated with help from Parks Construction crews.
The back right greenside bunker on Hole 13 was eliminated.
Forestry mowing began on the course with help from Parks Conservation crews. Work began between West Hole 3 and East Hole 2. The removal of vegetation in this area will allow the existing West Hole 3 tee box to be used to play towards the East Hole 2 green after the redesign is completed.
Upcoming Work
Complete Hole 16 fairway bunker
Restore area of eliminated Hole 11 fairway bunker
Restore area of eliminated Hole 13 bunker
Begin reshaping of Hole 15 right greenside bunker and fairway bunker
Build new forward tee on Hole 15
July 12, 2024 Update
The new forward tee on Hole 11 has been completed. The tee surface was graded and sodded. Once grown in, the tee will be mowed as part of the fairway.
Bunker work has started on Hole 11. The right greenside bunker was filled and graded. This area will eventually be turned into an approach area. The area was seeded and covered.
The Hole 11 left greenside bunker is being reshaped and reduced in size as part of the redesign. The portion of the bunker that is being removed has been filled, graded, and seeded. The bunker has its final grade and drainage has been added.
Work has begun on Hole 16. The new forward tee has been constructed. The tee box has been graded and will receive sod.
Work began on the left greenside bunker on Hole 16. The bunker is being reshaped and reduced in size as part of the redesign. The portion of the bunker that is being removed has been filled and graded.
Upcoming Work
Complete Hole 11 left greenside bunker
Seed/Sod new Hole 16 tee box
Complete Hole 16 left greenside bunker
Reshaping of Hole 16 fairway bunker
June 26, 2024 Update
The new forward tee on Hole 12 was completed. The tee surface received its final grade and sod. Once grown in, the tee will be mowed as part of the fairway.
The Hole 12 fairway bunker was completed. The banks of the bunker were sodded and the flat areas surrounding the bunker received seed and straw matting. Sand was added to the bunker. The sod has already rooted into the soil and we are already seeing germination from the grass seed.
The new Hole 12 back tee received its final grade. The tee surface was seeded with a low mow Kentucky Bluegrass. The edges of the new tee box were sodded.
After seed and sod has established, work on Hole 12 will be concluded.
Upcoming Work
Completion of removal of Hole 14 greenside bunker
Seed and sod new approach on Hole 14
Completion of Hole 11 left greenside bunker
Begin construction of new forward tee on Hole 11
Begin removal of left fairway bunker on Hole 11
June 12, 2024 Update
The front right greenside bunker on Hole #11 is being eliminated as part of the redesign. Work began to fill this bunker and grade the area to be turned into part of the approach to create a false front to the right of the green.
Work also began on the left greenside bunker on Hole #11. While the bunker will remain, work is being done to add new drainage, grading to create a flat bunker, and a reduction of the overall size. The bunker is also being shifted closer to the approach.
Drainage was added to the inside of the fairway bunker on Hole #12.
Upcoming Work
Preparation of soil and installation of seed and sod on the new Hole #12 forward tee, new Hole #12 back tee, and the surrounding of the fairway bunker on Hole #12
Adding sand to the Hole #12 fairway bunker
Hole #14 greenside bunker - Final grading and installation of seed and sod
Seed and sod the new Hole #14 approach
Continue grading of the Hole #11 right greenside bunker and left greenside bunker
May 20, 2024 Update
Work continued on Hole 12. The left greenside bunker was completed, with sod installed on the bunker faces and sand added to the bunker. Surrounding disturbed areas were seeded.
Work began on the new forward tee box on Hole 12. The tee was built into the fairway and roughly graded. Final grading is still to come along with seeding or sod.
Work began on the right side fairway bunker on Hole 12. The redesign plan calls for this bunker to decrease in size and slightly re-shaped. The outlet drain was installed. The current sand in the bunker was removed in order to re-shape. The sides of the bunker will be softened to help create a flat bottom.
Work began on the new back tee on Hole 12. The new tee box will be 15 yards further back than the existing tee box. The tee will be slightly more elevated than the current tee. The existing back tee was striped to excavate soil for the new tee box location.
The front left greenside bunker on Hole 14 is to be eliminated as part of the redesign. Work began to fill the bunker. The area will be graded and eventually turned into part of the approach. This will create a false front to the right of the green.
With the help of the Parks ecology team, 9 trees were planted between the new Hole 1 and the current West Course Hole 1. The West Course Hole 1 is being eliminated, so the trees were needed to divide the new Hole 1 from potential non-golf uses.
Upcoming Work
Install seed or sod on the new Hole 12 forward tee
Complete grading of new Hole 12 back tee
Complete grading of Hole 12 fairway bunker
Complete grading of Hole 14 greenside bunker
Seed or sod new approach on Hole 14
May 3, 2024 Update
Completed Work
Work has continued on Hole 17. The final grade on the former right greenside bunker has been set and the area has been seeded, fertilized, and covered with straw matting.
The Hole 17 left greenside bunker faces were softened to create a flat bunker and the overall size of the bunker reduced. Sod was installed on the faces of the bunker and the bunker will be filled with sand.
Work began on the greenside bunkers for Hole 12. The redesign plan called for the back left bunker to be eliminated. The bunker has been filled and the area seeded, fertilized, and covered with straw matting.
The front left greenside bunker on Hole 12 is being reconstructed. This work includes adding new drainage, grading of the face slopes to create a flat bottom, and reduction to the overall size.
Upcoming Work
Add sand to the bunker on Hole 17
Prep the soil for seed and sod on the front left side bunker on Hole 12
Seed and sod the front left bunker on Hole 12
Begin moving dirt and shaping the fairway bunker on Hole 12
Begin building the forward tee box on Hole 12
April 18, 2024 Update
Completed Work
Over the last two weeks bunkers on hole number 2 were filled to final grade and seeded. We expect to see germination of the seed within two weeks.
Drainage has been added to the left side of hole number 12 to alleviate wet conditions.
Bunker work began on hole number 17. The bunker on the right side of the green is being eliminated and is being filled and graded. The left greenside bunker is being re-constructed. That work includes adding new draining, grading of the slope, and reduction of the overall size.
Upcoming Work
Complete the removal of bunker on hole number 17.
Prepare the soil for seed and sod on the left side bunker on hole number 17.
Remove (fill) the back left greenside bunker on hole number 12.
Shape the lower face on the greenside bunker on hole number 12.
March 27, 2024 Update
Construction is underway! Parks will be posting biweekly construction updates throughout the year. Construction work is being completed by Madison Parks Golf staff.
Completed Work
Filled and graded the two fairway bunkers on #2 fairway which were planned for removal.
With a special thanks to the Streets Division, stumps left from tree removals performed during the winter were ground and filled. The areas were seeded and will begin to fill in as soon as warmer weather comes.
Upcoming Work
Soil preparation and seeding of filled bunkers on #2 fairway
Drainage improvements to #12 greenside bunker
Re-shaping of #17 greenside bunker
Re-shaping of #12 greenside bunker