A Crown Jewel of New Berlin's Fifty Years

The city of New Berlin purchased W. A. Roberts Golf Course from Allis-Chalmers in 1978. Few of us could imagine what a great deal it was, and still is.

Formed in 1905 and named Woodmont Country Club, the new club purchased 40 acres of Section 1 from Daniel Ewer in 1907, and a new nine-hole golf course was born. It did well until the depression. Unable to raise the funds to continue they sold the course in 1943.

January 5, 1943 John Schunk, John Wimmer and Cy Shabaz bought the course and renamed it Lincoln Hills. The early years were successful. They enjoyed a good run at operating a fine golf course that also featured fantastic chefs to run their kitchen. The chefs, Karl and Gretchen Mader, later opened their own restaurant in Milwaukee. That move was created when the clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 1945. Some years later interest waned as Mr. Wimmer was the only original partner left.

In 1954, the President of Allis-Chalmers, looking to fulfill his corporate dream of having an employee area of exercise and relaxation, purchased the club. After the sale the president of A-C died. In his honor it was named W.A. Roberts Golf Course. Goldie Bateson was installed as club pro. One of the first female head pros Goldie was a fantastic teacher of the game. Goldie stayed on for 21 years until 1976. Hard times then hit Allis-Chalmers and the company had to find a buyer.

In December 1978 through efforts spearheaded by Gene Park, Recreation Director and City of New Berlin officials, the purchase was completed. The new course became New Berlin Hills.

In 1994 conditions at the golf course created a demand for a new management team. Under the guidance of Mayor Cera and the Common Council, Paul Leuthold of Parks & Recreation a new plan was set in place. January 1995 Green Visions (later Crown Golf) was selected from many suitors to operate New Berlin Hills for the City.

Soon after, the older building from the original Woodmont era, which was used as a clubhouse since the 1945 fire, began to show it's age. Under direction of the Mayor and Council, the golf course committee spent many hours traveling about the state inspecting golf courses and clubhouses accumulating ideas. By 1997 the work of the Golf Course subcommittee, The Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission, the Mayor and the Common Council, plans were set for a new clubhouse at New Berlin Hills. In 1999 that new clubhouse was completed and opened to the golfing public.

As the presiding Chairman of the Golf Course Committee since 1995, I had the privilege of working with Mayor Cera, Mayor Gatzke, Mayor Wysocki, Paul Leuthold Parks & Recreation, Bill Christel Park Commission Chairman and Pat Clark of the management company. At present I am pleased to be associated with Mayor Chiovatero, New Berlin Hills pro John Rader, Joel Peterson and Darrell Schultz, the course management team and Wendy Slonicker Food and Beverage manager/chief Chef.

The crowning achievement of this jewel on the east side of New Berlin is that not one cent of taxpayer money has been used to operate and improve the course; install updates (such as the new sign on 124th St), landscape work and clubhouse improvements. Weddings, business meetings, group golf outings and everyday golfers contribute to the success of this gem on the hill. Our New Berlin neighbors are welcome to use the course at any time for lunch, or a visit. A call to the clubhouse will let them know of available times.