Premier Falls golf course reopens after COVID-19 slowdown
by Steve Ottman
Beacon Correspondent
THE BULL AT PINEHURST FARMS in Sheboygan Falls opened for the 2021 golf season on Thursday, April 8. The Bull recently added new signage, including a new sign by the main entrance to help people that are visiting for the first time. – Falls News photo by Steve Ottman
The Bull at Pinehurst Farms Jack Nicklaus signature golf course reopened Thursday, April 8 after an abbreviated year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New owners John Dunfee and Randy Groth purchased The Bull in June 2020 and opened during the third week of July to the delight of many avid golfers.
“It started slow,” said The Bull Head Golf Professional Scott Evans. “Later in the summer, we were very busy until mid-November. The customers and neighbors were very pleased to have us back.”
Evans travels back and forth from Milwaukee, dedicating long hours to have The Bull ready for the 2021 opening on Thursday, April 8.
Dunfee and Groth have also committed themselves by making a significant investment in The Bull with updates to the banquet hall, dining facility and the maintenance of the 418 acres of the golf course encompassing thick forests, wetlands and a stretch of the Onion River.
“We are very excited heading into our first full season at The Bull,” Dunfee said. “We are in the midst of making myriad improvements to the course, Jack’s Grill and the Manor at Pinehurst Farms.”
Evans said the 2021 season will play a pivotal role in re-establishing The Bull at the forefront of the Sheboygan County golf scene.
“The neighbors built here for a reason and they wanted to be a part of this beautiful golf course,” Evans stated. “So many golf courses around the country have closed in the past year and they built homes here, wanting to be part of our golfing community.”
The Bull’s management is looking forward to the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Haven Sept. 24-26 and is ready to host many of the guests that will visit Sheboygan County this fall for the 43rd edition of the Ryder Cup matches, featuring Team USA versus Team Europe.
“We’re already 40 percent booked during that time and I expect it to grow as COVID restrictions start to ease,” Evans remarked.
Evans also said that The Bull is pleased to welcome the Sheboygan Falls High School golf team back after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the squad’s 2020 season.
“The owners and I are happy to have the team back and I expect they will be here practicing right after we open on April 8,” Evans expressed. “High school golf is always something that we have supported even when I was working in Milwaukee. It’s a sign that summer is coming.”
Falls head golf coach Doug Johnson has indicated that his group is eager to get back on the course and have a great 2021 golf season.
The Bull’s golf pro shop will be open at 7:45 a.m. daily and has memberships and tee times available on its website http://www.golfthebull .com or by calling 920-467-1500.
Jack’s Grill will be fully open after the season starts and is currently open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check the website for menu details.
The Bull is located three miles west of Interstate 43 on the southeast corner of highways 28 and 32 west of Sheboygan Falls, one hour north of Milwaukee and an hour south of Green Bay.
Due to the road construction on State 28 and County EE, access to The Bull can be made from State 23 to State 32 through Sheboygan Falls south and Interstate 43 to County V to the west to State 32 north.
“We are putting up new signage that will help our customers,” Evans said.
The Bull is the first Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in Wisconsin and has been rated 4½ stars by Golf Digest. It was recently ranked as the No. 3 course in Wisconsin behind two other Sheboygan County golf courses – the Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Haven and the River Course at Blackwolf Run in Kohler.
