Profits Over Public Access: The Data Behind the New Berlin Hills Tee-Time Crunch

I’m a longtime Waukesha resident and used to be a regular at New Berlin Hills Golf Course. For many years I played there frequently — it was a true public course we could actually use. That is no longer the case.

A review of recent booking data raises serious questions about public access at New Berlin Hills Golf Course. While purchased and owned by the City of New Berlin, the 18-hole facility is increasingly operating like an exclusive private business.

A detailed look at available tee times for week day walk on golfers the week of May 25, 2026, reveals a stark reality for non-league golfers. Out of 360 tee times over those five days (M-F 6am - 6pm), only 12 slots were left open to the general public—just 3.3% of total capacity. Midweek data shows that regular public players are essentially locked out of normal morning and afternoon hours:

• Monday: 9:20am, 9:30am, 9:50am, 10:30am,10:40am,12 noon, 1pm,2:20pm
• Tuesday: Zero public availability
• Wednesday: 6:30am, 11:50am, 3:20pm
• Thursday: 9:00am
• Friday: Zero public availability

This lack of tee time availability exists because the current management policy gives overwhelming priority to leagues. While leagues stabilize revenue, the current system—managed by private firm Green Golf Partners/Troon—favors corporate profit over community access. According to the course's 2025 financial statements, the operation pulled in $2.35 million in revenue, cleared over $103,000 in corporate profit, and paid the city $303,854 in rent.

The current 5-day booking window acts as a barrier, ensuring leagues sweep up the schedule before a regular resident has a chance. When I asked to clarify the tee time policy regarding public versus league allocation, the members of the New Berlin Golf Course Commission did not respond. Financial viability is important, but as a taxpayer-owned municipal asset, public availability must remain a core priority, not a 3% afterthought.