Blackhawk Golf Course

Blackhawk Golf Course in Janesville, Wisconsin, traces its design lineage to A.W. Tillinghast, one of American golf architecture's most celebrated figures from the Golden Age. The course occupies land along the Rock River in southern Wisconsin, where the natural terrain provides rolling contours and mature tree corridors typical of the upper Midwest. Over the decades, the layout has undergone modifications by Ken Killian and Dick Nugent, followed by work from Bob Lohmann, reflecting the common trajectory of municipal and public courses that adapt to changing equipment, maintenance practices, and player expectations while attempting to preserve elements of the original routing. The property features a mix of parkland characteristics with tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and greens that require careful approach play. The Rock River corridor influences several holes, adding both scenic value and strategic interest where water comes into play. As a public facility serving the Janesville community, Blackhawk provides accessible golf in a setting shaped by both its historical design pedigree and the practical demands of serving a broad range of golfers. The course represents a regional example of how Tillinghast's design principles—emphasizing strategic options, natural land movement, and thoughtful green complexes—have been interpreted and maintained in a public golf context. The subsequent architectural contributions reflect efforts to balance preservation of classic design intent with the realities of modern course management and play.