Door Creek Golf Course

What Door Creek Golf Course does

Door Creek Golf Course is a privately held, public-access golf facility operating since approximately 1990 in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, minutes from the east side of Madison. The facility spans 27 holes comprising an 18-hole Championship Par 71 course and the 9-hole Par 30 Lost Creek executive course, supplemented by a driving range and practice green. It serves local and regional golfers across the Madison metropolitan area, with a deliberate emphasis on family and beginner accessibility through the Lost Creek executive layout and the Kids Golf Free program.

The business operates a diversified, direct-to-consumer revenue model spanning greens fees and cart rentals, Bar & Grill food and beverage (including a seasonal Friday Fish Fry), PGA-certified private and group instruction, junior programming (Explorer Classes ages 4-10, Pioneer Camps ages 9-15, and the 2026 Junior Pass), annual tournaments, corporate and charity outings, banquets for 10-200 guests, organized leagues, retail merchandise, and gift cards. Digital infrastructure is limited to third-party SaaS: ForeUp Software powers online tee-time booking, and the Door Creek mobile app, built on Gallus Golf, delivers on-course GPS and an Offer Locker for promotions.

Distribution is anchored by physical location along Interstate 90/94, walk-in and online booking, an E-Club email newsletter, and social media presence. Brand equity is established locally through 35 years of continuous operation and repeated Best of Madison and Best of Cottage Grove recognition (BOM2025). The company has no disclosed patents, partnerships, parent entities, M&A activity, or external funding; headcount is in the 11-50 range and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Door Creek Golf Course

Legal name

Door Creek Golf Course

Website

https://doorcreekgolfcourse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Door Creek Golf Course is a privately held public golf facility in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, near Madison, operating 27 holes (Championship and Lost Creek executive), driving range, Bar & Grill, PGA instruction, junior programs, leagues, and event hosting for local and regional golfers and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Golf Course & Recreation Services

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

Keywords

• Public golf course
• Golf instruction services
• Golf tournament hosting
• Junior golf programs
• Golf event catering

Headquarters

HQ city

Cottage Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Greens Fees & Cart Rentals: Core revenue from greens fees for 9-hole and 18-hole rounds on both courses, plus cart rental charges. Standard rates apply with discounted pricing for juniors, seniors, and weekday play.
2. Food & Beverage: Bar & Grill restaurant generating revenue from food service, alcoholic beverages, and outdoor patio/Tiki bar sales. Friday Fish Fry is a seasonal draw from January through April.
3. Golf Instruction: Revenue from private lessons, group lessons, and junior golf programs taught by PGA-certified instructors. Pricing varies by lesson duration and instructor.
4. Golf Outings & Events: Corporate events, tournaments, parties, and banquets hosted at the facility. Revenue includes greens fees, cart rentals, food, and beverage service for groups.
5. Merchandise & Passes: Golf shop merchandise sales including apparel and equipment. Additional revenue from discount cards, junior passes, and WSGA handicap fees.
6. Golf Leagues: Seasonal league fees including Friday Couples League ($475/couple) and Wednesday Morning League, providing recurring customer engagement and guaranteed revenue during league season.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Door Creek Golf Course is a 27-hole public golf facility in Cottage Grove, WI offering an 18-hole Championship Par 71 course and a 9-hole Par 30 Lost Creek executive course, supported by a driving range, on-site Bar & Grill, PGA-led instruction, junior golf programs, leagues, tournaments, and event/banquet hosting services.

Product overview

Door Creek Golf Course is an award-winning public golf facility offering two distinct courses: an 18-hole Championship Par 71 course and a 9-hole Par 30 Lost Creek Executive Course. The facility operates as a unified golf destination providing not just golfing but also practice facilities (driving range, practice green), dining (Bar & Grill with outdoor patio and Tiki Bar), golf instruction from PGA professionals, and comprehensive junior golf programs including Explorer Classes, Pioneer Camps, and season passes. The business also hosts tournaments, golf outings, and private events, while offering value programs like the Discount Card and Kids Golf Free initiative. Additional services include golf leagues, party/banquet hosting, and a mobile app with GPS functionality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lost Creek: 9-hole Par 30 executive course at Door Creek Golf Course
• Bar & Grill

Products and services

• 18-Hole Championship Course (Par 71)
• Lost Creek Executive Course (9-Hole, Par 30)
• Driving Range & Practice Facility
• Bar & Grill
• Golf Instruction (Private & Group Lessons)
• Junior Golf Program
• Tournaments
• Golf Outings & Event Hosting
• Parties & Banquets
• Golf Leagues (Friday Couples & Wednesday Morning)

Quantifiable outcome

• Kids 15 and under play free with paid adult on executive course

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Drive Shack: Owner-operator of golf entertainment venues (Puttery, Drive Shack) competing for casual and social golfer spending. Adjacent competitor for Door Creek's food-and-beverage-led family/casual segment.
• Topgolf: Tech-enabled golf entertainment venue with multiple locations, food/beverage, and lessons. Targets casual and beginner golfers — directly overlapping with Door Creek's family and beginner segments.

Direct peers

• TPC Wisconsin: Premium public/private golf facility in the Madison area offering championship-level play, memberships, and event hosting. Competes with Door Creek for higher-spending golfers and corporate outings.
• University Ridge Golf Course: Public 18-hole course in the Madison, WI MSA offering a similar casual-to-serious golfer mix, leagues, outings, and instruction. Direct local competitor for Door Creek's customer base.
• Erin Hills Golf Course: Premier public golf course in Wisconsin (host of the 2017 US Open). Competes for destination golfers, tournaments, and high-end outings in the same state.
• The Bridges Golf Course: Public golf course in the Madison, WI area serving casual golfers, leagues, and outings. Direct regional competitor for greens fees, leagues, and family play.

Broad incumbents

• American Golf Corporation: One of the largest operators of public and private golf courses in the U.S. with multi-course portfolios. Comparable business model of public golf facility operations but at significantly greater scale.
• KemperSports: Third-party golf course management company operating public, private, and resort courses across the U.S. Represents the institutional operator model that Door Creek could partner with or be benchmarked against.

Regional players

• Grand Geneva Resort & Spa: Wisconsin resort combining lodging, golf, dining, and events. While Door Creek is not a resort, Grand Geneva competes for the same corporate outing, wedding, and leisure traveler dollars in southeast Wisconsin.
• Sundara Golf Club: Wisconsin-based golf destination with course, spa, and dining. Competes for premium regional golf, outing, and event business in the broader Wisconsin market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/golfthecreek
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/door-creek-golf-course

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Door Creek Golf Course