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Destination Geneva National.
This event has been a popular golf destination for 30 years, but has recently become more popular with golfers from all across the country. While golfing at Geneva National’s three 18-hole championship courses (designed by Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Lee Trevino), guests will enjoy very distinct layouts.

The Palmer Course is renowned for its three finishing holes, which are situated along Lake Como. Featuring some of Wisconsin’s best and most demanding green complexes, the course will challenge all golfers. The Player Course is Geneva National’s most rippling course. Traversing through wetlands and woodlands, the risk-reward layout requires accuracy from tee to green. The Trevino Course was designed with Lee’s left-to-right fade in mind, as many of its par-4s and par-5s dogleg slightly to the right. Therefore, a premium is placed on shot-making. Situated along the property’s ridgeline, the course also winds through oak trees that frame nearly every hole. Geneva National has invested heavily in improvements over the last few years. In early 2024, longtime Arnold Palmer Design associate Brandon Johnson came west to advise on key changes to a handful of holes on Geneva National’s Palmer course, including a renovation of the first hole, which used to be overly punishing and leave golfers with a rough first impression.

Most recently, Wisconsin-based architect Craig Haltom has made some similar playability updates to the Trevino course, including more than doubling the size of the 14th fairway, which was often criticized by golfers as excessively punishing. Haltom also designed a Himalayan-style putting course, The Dance Floor, which sits perfectly between the clubhouse and the driving range. The Dance Floor gets particularly busy at dusk and is open from dawn until well after dusk.

All three spots have an enchanting view of Lake Como, which is part of the reason why Geneva National garnered the top spot in Golfers’ Choice 2025’s list of facilities with the best off-course amenities nationwide. The resort offers “souped-up” golf carts with bucket seats, drink coolers, and GPS.

 

Person of the Week

Kathy George of Brick and Mortar Lake Geneva

The terrific Kathy George, one of the Brick and Mortar owners of the grandly successful Porch Coffee Shop.

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