Waukesha County is home to a lot of green grass, but there is something fundamentally different about the air at The Legend at Merrill Hills. It’s not just the smell of freshly manicured bentgrass. It’s the weight of a century. Honestly, if you grew up around here, you probably knew it as Merrill Hills Country Club—the old-guard establishment that felt a bit like a time capsule.
That changed in 2013. When Jack Gaudion and The Legend Clubs family bought the place, people were skeptical. They wondered if the "legendary" branding would strip away the soul of a course that had been there since 1929.
It didn't.
Instead, they leaned into the history while fixing the stuff that was broken. They took a farm-field-turned-golf-course and turned it into a 72-hole membership powerhouse. You’ve probably heard of its sister courses—Brandybrook, Bristlecone, and Bergamont—but Merrill Hills is the one with the ghosts of the Great Depression era still lingering in its tree lines.
Why The Legend at Merrill Hills Still Matters
Most modern courses are designed for carts and oversized drivers. They’re wide. They’re forgiving. They’re... kinda boring. The Legend at Merrill Hills is a throwback. Designed by C.H. Hardy, this is a course that demands you actually think.
You can’t just "grip it and rip it" here.
The fairways are tight. They are lined with mature trees that have spent nearly a hundred years waiting to swat your ball into the rough. It’s a 6,841-yard par 72 that plays much longer than the scorecard suggests because you’re constantly fighting angles and elevation. If you miss the green on the wrong side, you’re basically looking at a guaranteed bogey.
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The Greens are Absolute Lightning
Ask any member about the greens and they’ll give you a look that is half-trauma, half-pride. They are fast. Not just "fast for Wisconsin" fast—we're talking "don't-breathe-on-it" fast.
- Firmness: They hold a shot if you strike it well, but they don't forgive a thin miss.
- The Slopes: Hardy loved his subtle breaks.
- Maintenance: The grounds crew is notoriously obsessed.
There’s a reason the Wisconsin State Amateur Championship keeps coming back here. It’s a true test of whether you can actually putt when the pressure is on and the green is moving like a marble floor.
More Than Just a Golf Course
We need to talk about the waterfall. It sounds like a cliché for a wedding venue, but the tiered waterfall at The Legend at Merrill Hills is the center of the whole social vibe. It overlooks the course and serves as the backdrop for the patio where everyone hangs out after a round.
The 2022 renovations really changed the game here. They gutted the old lounge and turned it into something that feels like a modern lodge but keeps the classic architecture intact. It can hold 300 people now, which is a big jump from the old days.
Honestly, the food is better than it has any right to be. Most country clubs serve "safe" food—dry chicken and Caesar salads. Here, they’ve actually invested in a culinary program that makes people want to stay for dinner even when they aren't playing 18.
The "Legend" Membership Model
Basically, if you’re a member at Merrill Hills, you aren't just a member there. You get access to all four courses. That’s 72 holes of private golf. In the Midwest, that’s almost unheard of. Usually, you’re stuck playing the same track until you know every blade of grass by name.
They also went heavy on the family stuff. There’s a world-class pool complex and a tennis facility that stays packed all summer. It's not the "old boys club" where you hide from your kids; it’s the place where you drop the kids at the pool while you go lose three balls in the creek.
What Really Happened with the Acquisition?
When Gaudion bought the place in 2013, some locals worried it would go public. There was even a town board meeting where people showed up to protest a "public course" agenda item.
It was a misunderstanding.
The Legend at Merrill Hills stayed private, and that’s likely why it survived. A lot of traditional clubs in Wisconsin folded or went semi-private during the mid-2010s because they couldn't keep up with maintenance costs. By folding Merrill Hills into a larger network, they stabilized the finances without having to "nickel and dime" the members with assessments.
Practical Insights for Potential Members or Guests
If you’re lucky enough to get an invite to play or you’re looking at a membership, keep a few things in mind. First, don't underestimate the hills. The name isn't just marketing. Walking this course is a workout that will destroy your calves if you aren't prepared.
Second, the short game is everything. You can be the longest hitter in the state, but if your chipping is "sorta okay," the greens here will eat you alive.
Next Steps for Experience:
- Schedule a Tour: Don't just look at photos; the elevation changes don't translate to a screen.
- Check the Calendar: They host major amateur tournaments; if you want a quiet round, avoid those weekends.
- Test the Lounge: If you're looking at a wedding, go for a meal first. The service quality is the real "legend" here.
The reality is that The Legend at Merrill Hills managed to do the impossible: stay relevant for 100 years without losing its edge. It’s a traditionalist’s dream with a modern engine under the hood.