On October 23, 2009 Erin Hills was purchased by Artisan Partners' co-founder, Andrew Ziegler because the previous owner, Bob Lang, ran out of money to build his dream course.

Now the man with all the money has hired Rich Tock, the GM at Ozaukee Country Club for the last 21 years. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, the existing staff will be retained, given a bigger budget and a new maintenance facility.

A little background on Andrew Ziegler would be helpful. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Ziegler, a Madison native, started Artisan Partners with his wife, Carlene, in 1995. He had previously been president of Strong Capital Management, which he joined after working as one of the firm's outside lawyers from his practice at the Milwaukee law firm of Godfrey & Kahn.

Artisan is headquartered in Milwaukee and has investment offices in San Francisco, Atlanta and New York. It manages more than $45 billion for its 11 no-load mutual funds and individual, endowment, pension and other accounts.

Wow, is Erin Hills ever going to be a great course and at 160 bucks per round, it better be. Just remember that they won't allow golf carts beginning in the 2010 season.