One of Door County’s sportiest courses is about to add some of the world’s best golf holes.

A year from now, Stone Hedge Golf and Pub owner Kevin Wehrenberg plans to open an indoor golf facility, billiard hall and game room in an addition adjacent to the clubhouse on the east side of Egg Harbor. When the entertainment addition opens, Wehrenberg will add two Trackman indoor golf simulators with ball flight-tracing capabilities and the option for golfers to play dozens of famous courses.

The project’s commercial construction plan cleared State of Wisconsin hurdles in October, and earthwork was expected to start in early November.

Wehrenberg recently visited with Town of Egg Harbor officials to let them know about his plans. He didn’t hear any opposition to his plan to construct a 2,500-square-foot building specifically designed for the golf simulators and to relocate the clubhouse patio slightly from its current location directly behind the clubhouse and restaurant.

“Everybody’s been great,” he said of officials and patrons who have heard about his plans.

Wehrenberg started making sketches two years ago for the addition while he was refurbishing the clubhouse. At the time, he hesitated; Egg Harbor already had an indoor golf facility with some loyal customers and well-attended leagues. Now that Golf ’n More In-Door is closed, Door County has no public indoor golf simulators north of Sturgeon Bay.

Wehrenberg said he wants to help extend the golf season and provide more for people to do year-round.

“It just feels like it’s really needed up there,” he said.

He plans to add more seating, perhaps booths, in the restaurant when he relocates some of the existing video game equipment to the addition. His plan is to introduce additional games and perhaps a pinball machine or two.Northbrook

The indoor entertainment facility should seat 16-20 people. The patio is planned to have a fire pit, seating for at least 25 people and space for musical entertainment.

Making Golf Excursions Affordable

Looking for ways to play some outstanding courses outside of the county next year without paying more than $100 per round? Midwest Golfing Magazine (midwestgolfingmagazine.com) provides a coupon booklet to its subscribers, and each coupon in the booklet provides one free round with paid cart rental.

This golfer and writer gave the magazine and coupon program a try this year, which led to a chance to play some highly-regarded and little-known golf courses.

In addition to enjoying a round at Northbrook Golf and Grill in Luxemburg this year, the coupons allowed me to play Trappers Turn Golf Club in the Wisconsin Dells, The National Golf Course at Mishicot, Lake Lawn near Lake Geneva, and the 94-year-old Langford and Moreau-designed Links at Lawsonia for $25-30. The last of those proved to be the most fascinating.

Any Wisconsin golfer with an interest in golf-course design and golf history should tee it up at least once at the Links of Lawsonia. With its wide fairways but dramatically contoured greens, perfectly-placed and artfully-shaped bunkers, and steep drop-offs behind and beside some of the greens, The Links provides a playing experience like nowhere else. Some golfers might think the elevated greens make approach shots too difficult and even unfair, but that just adds to the challenge and fun. Besides, unless you’re in a tournament, if one of the green complexes becomes too challenging, you can just pick up your ball, move on to the next hole and continue to enjoy the round.

Golf Digest consistently ranks The Links around 60th on its list of the 100 best public golf courses in the United States. Hopefully, it will be included in the Midwest Golfing Magazine coupon book again next year.