Destination: Racine County

June 17, 2026

Many Lake County, Illinois linksters already know that great golf bargains can be found by heading north into southern Wisconsin. Racine County is one of the smaller of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, but nonetheless can be considered as a county with a large number of great golf bargains.

In addition to its bargain pricing, Racine County features great golf challenges, beautiful topography, comfortable facilities, and satisfying experiences. Back in 1971, the rock band Santana recorded a hit song entitled “Everybody’s Everything”, and Racine’s golf offerings are a testimony to that theme.

The following three reviews illustrate how forthrightly Racine County can service the needs of all golfers, whether they’re just taking up the game or are avid low-handicappers.

Shoop Park Golf Course

Shoop Park Golf Course, is a parkland-style 9-hole public golf course located in the village of Wind Point on the shores of Lake Michigan. The course was designed by golf architect William Langford, who sought to create a challenging yet playable layout that would showcase the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

This nine hole routing features two par-5’s, four par-4’s, and three par-3’s for a total par of 35. The back tees play to a distance of 2,667 yards 35.5 / 113.

Shoop Park Golf Course first opened for play in 1932 and throughout many decades has striven to maintain playable course conditions, incorporating renovations and improvements to earn a reputation as a top-notch 9-hole municipal golf facility.

‘Playability’ and ‘memorability’ are two adjectives that could be used to describe Shoop Park GC; its signature hole is Hole #2, a dogleg par-5 that runs entirely along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The Wind Point Lighthouse is situated on the north end of the course and attracts photographers, artists, and sightseers.

Having held to the original basic parkland-style layout for the past 96 years, the Shoop Park routing may undergo a radical change. A proposal led by golf developer Michael Keiser and architect Craig Haltom, calls for a dramatic and complete rebuild of the nine-hole public course. Using $10 million of private funds, the plans include a total re-routing with new greens, tees, and bunkers designed in a traditional links style, as well as restoration of dunes, prairie, and woodland habitat. The proposed finishing three holes will inspire thoughts of having just played Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits, or Cabot Cliffs.

Ives Grove Golf Links

Ives Grove Golf Links is the go-to golf facility for a large percentage of Racine County’s avid public play golfers. Its 27-hole layout can simultaneously handle outings, leagues, and daily fee play.

Ives Grove Golf Links is located in Sturtevant, WI, 30 miles south of Milwaukee with each of its three 9-hole courses playing to a par of 36. The first tee and ninth green of each of the three courses (Red, White, Blue) start and finish at the clubhouse. The terrain of Ives Grove is a blend of rolling fairways, wetlands, ponds, mature trees and 110 bunkers. Each course features four sets of tees, and the three courses have comparable total distances (roughly 6850/6450/5950/5400 yards), slopes, and course ratings. There is a daily rotation pairing two of the courses to equal the 18-hole routing ‘du jour’.

The practice putting green is positioned immediately adjacent to the clubhouse.

A recent addition at Ives Grove is the new indoor/outdoor year-round practice facility. For outdoor hitting, there are 30 heated driving range bays; two TRACKMAN powered golf simulators, and a clubhouse with stocked bar and light food menu are the indoor practice offerings. The simulators have over 40 different course selection choices with realistic graphics and options for up to 8 people to play. Ramiro Romo & Joan Romo are the majority owners of Range Time Golf, proprietors of the Ives Grove practice venue. As golf enthusiasts, the Romo’s have brought a modern, state of the art all-season golf practice operation to the greater Racine area.

Meadowbrook Country Club

Racine County is also home to private clubs and one of the most notable is Meadowbrook Country Club.

Located in Mount Pleasant, WI, Meadowbrook opened with its first nine holes in 1927, and at its opening the land was virtually treeless, hence a meadow. A very narrow freshwater stream meandered the entire width of the property from west to east and contributed the second half of the moniker – brook.

Nine additional holes, designed by Todd Sloan, were added in 1931.

Meadowbrook’s historical photos chronicle the planting and maturing of many trees as a means to delineate fairways. Beginning in the 1940’s, and continuing for seven decades, trees enhanced the vistas at Meadowbrook but at the same time began to stunt turf growth. A meticulous study for a tree removal plan was initiated in the 2010’s and has lead to Meadowbrook’s turf health and reputation for impeccable fairways and greens.

Meadowbrook’s present 18-hole routing plays to a par of 71 with four sets of tees and a blended hybrid combo; the championship tee total distance measures 6,551 yards at 72.2 / 134. Sand bunkers come into play on almost every hole throughout the design. The meandering creek comes into play on eight holes, and 7 ponds add further water challenge.

Meadowbrook will soon celebrate its centennial anniversary, but it is only fair to mention that during its 99-year existence the club has experienced several shutdowns / foreclosures / re-purchases / re-openings, but repeatedly came back stronger.

Always considered to be a private club, today Meadowbrook Country Club is a non-equity private club owned by a partnership of eight investors, including Ramiro Romo.

Amenities at MCC include practice green, driving range (remodeled 2026), swimming pool, tennis courts, private dining area, members-only lounge, game room, indoor simulators, and banquet hall; the restaurant is open daily to the public.

A vast array of membership options are offered at MCC, with no minimum spending or initiation fees; these options include: individual, family, and corporate golf memberships; pool only or dining only memberships. Golf memberships can be tailored to walking only, riding cart included, or limited rounds.

Meadowbrook has hosted five Wisconsin state opens and numerous Milwaukee District Golf Association championships. In addition to being a competitive venue, Meadowbrook offers its members and their guests the rare blend of informality and elegance, and pledges to maintain its family oriented atmosphere.

For a longer list of Racine County golf facilities please visit:
https://visitracinecounty.com/outdoors/golfing/