In 1982, brothers Lee and Bob, along with partner Larry Henkel purchased their first golf course, Lakeside Country Club in Pewaukee. At Lakeside Bob worked hard at running the food service program with 500+ fish frys and large banquets. Two other brothers, Jim and Jody, worked long hours improving the course, while Merkel sisters, Vicki and Kay worked as waitresses and in the kitchen. Turning this course into a success was truly a family accomplishment.
Moving on from Lakeside in 1987, Lee purchased Willow Run Golf Club in Waukesha. He turned the sleepy 18-holer into one of the top outing destinations in the Milwaukee area, with nearly every family member working in some capacity.
All of their initial golf course ventures were milestones on the road to the three courses currently owned by the Merkel family and re-branded in 2020 as “Traditions Golf.”
In 1994, Lee, Bob, Jim and Tom purchased West Bend Lakes, a run-down 9-hole course. Over the next 20 years, they invested nearly a million dollars improving and expanding the facility into an 18-holer.
In 1996, Lee and his daughter, Laura purchased The Golf Club at Camelot and began its transformation by building a new million-dollar club house and banquet facility. Over the years, they have continued to grow the facility into the premier banquet and outing facility of Dodge and Washington Counties.
Late in 2014, Lee, Bob and Jim purchased the newest addition, Horicon Hills Golf Club. This facility also received the Merkel touch with a new irrigation system, clubhouse renovation and updated equipment.
