The founder, George Vitense had passion for golf. There is no less passion in his grandson, Joel Weitz, with his wife Sarah, who own and operate the in the business today. The name of the business is in the name of the founder and his name has been linked to Madison since 1918 when, he became the Assistant Golf Professional at Maple Bluff Country Club when he was just 14 years old. He was the first professional golfer in Wisconsin to play in the British Open (The Open), amazingly at the age of 66 in 1970. There is importance to the extended Vitense family to keep this name recognized in the community; not only for the family, but also for the generations of guests who have cherished memories of their experiences at Vitense with family and friends. There is great pride in the Vitense family of owning and operating the business that has such a significant storied history and a business that continues the name of a man who is considered a Madison golf legend.
Golfland was founded in 1955 by at then, a 51 year old George Vitense, a PGA Professional and golf tournament player. For those of older generations, George was a recognized golf icon. He was inducted into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame in 1977. After leaving Nakoma Golf Club as the Head Professional for 20 years, he opened Vitense Golfland in 1955. Many questioned his judgment starting a business on Schroeder Road that was so far outside of the developed Madison at that time. George Vitense was a pioneer in the off-course golf business. It was rare in the United States at that time to have a covered tee area and two level golf range. He also opened the first lit golf course in Wisconsin which is still the only golf course in Wisconsin where golfers can play at night under the lights. Not only did he combine a lit golf course with the lit golf range, he also combined these activities with an 18 hole miniature golf course – also playable at night.
George Vitense died in 1988 and his wife Naomi in 1990. For a few years, his three daughters: Georgene, Yvonne and Vicki continued to manage and own the business. In 1992, Joel Weitz a CPA at that time and grandson of George & Naomi Vitense, returned to Madison to help manage the business and eventually acquiring the business with his wife, Sarah, in 2001 who continue to own and operate the business today.
In 2005, Vitense Golf Academy was founded led by Joel Weitz, PGA Professional. The golf academy provides private and group lessons year round by PGA Professionals.
Prior to 2006, the business operating for 51 years with a very small building that only accommodated a service counter and limited golf shop space. In 2006, Joel and his wife Sarah, constructed a 20,000 square foot building which is used today. This building was constructed to offset the seasonable effects of winter where closing was necessary for the outdoor golf range and miniature golf courses. The building was designed to as much as possible offset the adverse weather effects. Joel designed an indoor 18-hole miniature golf course completely themed of Madison. Event rooms were added, food & beverage service, larger golf shop space and beer & wine service were all provided with the 2006 building.
Beginning in 2014, transformational changes starting occurring. Golf Suites 1 thru 8 were added which include 18 covered and heated mat tee areas and overhead heated seating areas. This provided the opportunity to use the golf range year round verses having to close if for four months of the year. Eight more golf suites with 18 covered and heated tee areas were added in 2018. Another second level of 10 Golf Suites with 20 mat tee areas were added in 2023. With all of these improvements over the years, the golf range is consistently rated as a Top 50 Golf Range in America.
In 2016, a small bar with full bar service was added to improve which was just the offering of beer & wine. With such improvement, that provided us with the opportunity to provide grill and bar service to all 25 Golf Suites with 56 heated and covered mat tee and seating areas year round.
Beginning in 2017, a game changer to the golf range experience was added. Protracer, now called Toptracer, technology was added to the Golf Suites. Vitense is one of the first seven golf ranges in the United States to add Toptracer. This tool provides a ball tracking system where every golf ball is captured by cameras which provide accurate golf shot data. The ball flight is animated on a touch screen along with various metrics of the flight. Today, Toptracer, continues to evolve by adding modes like “Angry Birds” where any level of golfer at any age can have a great time.
Regarding the indoor and outdoor miniature golf courses, they have evolved over the last 30 years. They are unique where playground equipment, such a slides, are incorporated allowing fun access from the beginning to the end of a miniature golf hole. This gives Vitense a distinction from any other miniature golf course. In January 2024, Golf Magazine’s website, golf.com, rated the miniature golf courses as #1 in Wisconsin.
Transformational changes continue to occur with the opening of Babes at Vitense Grill & Bar in October 2024. Locally based businesses are important! Vitense has leveraged the success of the very popular Babes Grill & Bar that closed in 2019 by reopening the famed restaurant in the main building. The former owner of Babes – Lynn Haker – is employed as Director of Grill & Bar Operations of the new Babes at Vitense Grill & Bar. Due to the historic value of both businesses, large murals have been created covering entire walls with special pictures demonstrating to the community the strong impactful presence of these businesses for decades.
Our business has rich Madison history. There is no place like it; not just in Madison but in the country. There are few places that can recognize a golf legend, a pioneer in an industry, and a golf based entertainment business that has provided hundreds of thousands of guests with impactful memories over generations.
