Duffy's Invitational — 2026 Field Guide

1HOLE

Par 5 · The Backstory

How it started

The Duffy's Invitational began the way all great traditions do: a group of friends looking for an excuse to spend a weekend together. What started as a casual outing in Birchwood, Wisconsin has grown into an annual gathering of childhood friends, college buddies, and a steadily expanding roster of "strays" who somehow became family. The name comes from a well-known dive that the lucky members of this tournament have had the privilege of visiting — and our godfather Ron would be glad to know his bar lives on through a group of degenerate gamblers, borderline AA members, and good-timers.

Over the years the event has become about far more than golf. The scorecards, wagers, and bragging rights still matter — but the real purpose is reconnecting with the people who shaped our lives. Each summer the field makes the pilgrimage back to Birchwood to relive old stories, make new ones, and prove that no lead is safe and no putt is guaranteed. Some players arrive as guests and leave as permanent members of the fraternity.

"Remember to take your medicine!"
— Nick Wieland, from the archives

Duffy's. The namesake.

2HOLE

This Year's Course

2026 Field Guide

This year the Invitational hits the road — two Northwoods heavyweights, back to back.

Friday · August 21

Big Fish Golf Club

Hayward, Wisconsin

Par72

Yardage (tips)7,231 yds

DesignerPete Dye

Rating / Slope74.0 / 136

Links-style front nine into a heavily wooded back nine — one of the most respected public tracks in the state. No water back there, but the woods will eat your golf balls just as fast.

The afterglow.

Saturday · August 22

Turtleback

Rice Lake, Wisconsin

Par71

Yardage (tips)6,646 yds

DesignerTodd Severud

Rating / Slope72.2 / 136

Named for its undulating, "turtle-backed" greens and mounded terrain through the woods. Two bars on site — including one downstairs that will send a barback to Walmart for more Tito's if the rain delay lasts too long.

The crew, 2024.

3HOLE

Check-In & Housekeeping

The Tee Sheet

Where to be, when to be there, and what it costs.

2843 Verkest Dr, Birchwood, WI 54817

ARRIVAL WINDOW — Wednesday 8/19, 4:30 PM through Friday 8/21, 8:00 AM

Let the Committee know when you plan on arriving and whether you're playing Thursday. Do not park on the grass — and park clear of the guest cabin so the bus can make its full circle without anyone doing a last-second car shuffle. Keep your car away from anywhere the Chairman might be standing.

Thursday 8/20

Optional Round

3:28–3:44 PM

Tagalong round tee timesNot covered by your payment. Games and teams decided on arrival.

Evening

Dinner

Friday 8/21

Mandatory · Big Fish

Morning

Breakfast burritos on the bus

8:15 AM

Bus departs for Big Fish Golf Club

9:40 AM

Tee time$20 team match play w/ handicaps, plus a $5 skins game. Teams shared Thursday night.

On course

Bring a sandwich from the cabin, or eat brats at the turn

Post-round

Possible stop at 7 Winds Casino

Evening

Volleyball · Dinner · The Draft

Saturday 8/22

Mandatory · Turtleback

Morning

Breakfast burritos on the bus

8:45 AM

Bus departs for Turtleback

10:04 AM

Tee time$80 buy-in scramble, plus four proxies

On course

Bring a sandwich from the cabin, or eat brats at the turn

Evening

Volleyball · Dinner

Turtleback Proxies — $150 each

$150

Long Drive
Hole 3

$150

Closest to Pin
Hole 8

$150

Closest in 2
Hole 12

$150

Long Putt
Hole 18

Sunday 8/23

Departure

Most of you will be gone before the Committee opens its eyes. No need to knock and say thanks — just handle the list:

Sheets balled up, towels piled
Yard games picked up
Beer cans collected
All trash taken out

The Bill

Bring at least $105 in cash for buy-ins — more if you plan on playing the worst gambling games known to man.

$420 via Venmo covers your bus rides, green fees Friday and Saturday, food, cabin cleaning, and hats.

All beverages are communal — bring what you'd like to share.

4HOLE

Lines Close At Tee Time

The Prop Shop

Quick bets for the weekend. Set by the Committee. No cash value, allegedly.

Justin falls asleep in a chairNot really a bet, more of a certainty

N/A

One of the Morrisette's has a gout flare-up

−120

First hole-in-one of the weekend

600/1

Balls in the water on 9Turtleback

O/U 6.5

Someone sells a Buick before getting on the busSaturday

−240

Length of the national anthem

O/U 1:19

Someone makes it the whole weekend without learning Jack's Buddy's first name

+300

Joey makes Philly produce water from his eye

+110

Post hits for +$200

−165

Peter and Shuster's dart countCigarettes per day

O/U 2 packs

Ted tries to fight Brandon (again)

7/2

Lines subject to change without notice. Payouts settled in cash, dignity, or both.

5HOLE

The Clubhouse Board

Hall of Champions

The hardware, out in the wild.

2019

Nick Wieland, Hunter Halonen, Mike Fandler, Josh TismerThe inaugural. Every trophy has to start somewhere.

2020

Nick Wieland, Andrew Baker, Joe Nasvik, John BjorklundDeclared co-champs after the other team refused a tiebreak drinking contest — on account of being asleep. At 4pm.

2021

Nick Wieland, Michael Jordan, Graham Kaun, Josh Tismer, Joe Nasvik & Joey Hess, Mitch Morrisette, Peter Deppert, Hunter HalonenThe tie heard around the world — settled by a single spin of the roulette wheel, all the riches or none of the riches. They got rich.

2022

Jack Morrisette, Justin Henigin, Josh Tismer, Sam Wade

2023

Sam Wade, Josh Bartness, Nick Wieland, Riley Anderson

2024

Jack Morrisette, Mitch Morrisette, Sam Wade, Josh TismerWade's third straight title — the three-peat, completed.

2025

Justin Henigin, Josh Bartness, Eric Hilgren, Shane ShusterDEFENDING

6HOLE

Official Performance Guide

The Scouting Matrix

Ranked by handicap, low to high. Draft accordingly.

Official Handicaps

Justin Henigin

HCP 2.4

Tanners Brook, MN

The definition of "short and sweet." Not the long drive — pinpoint accuracy, drains putts. Sleeps in chairs. Plays an absurd number of rounds as a bachelor living the dream.

Nick Wieland

HCP 6.1

Stoneridge, MN

One of the prettiest swings you'll see. Not many holes in this guy's game. Good things come in small packages. Certified girl dad with two girls and a knack for winning.

Joey Hess

HCP 6.2

Victory Links, MN

Director of Sport. Absolute weapon off the tee and around the greens — look for him in the first round. Father of 2, and can cripple Philly's mental game with a look.

Mike Fandler

HCP 9.5

Torrey Pines, CA (ever heard of it?)

Loves taint. Great mustache. Father of 1, newly identified as a surfer bro. Loves a good mind game.

Jack Morrisette

HCP 10.2

Oneka Ridge, MN

COO. Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit. Father of 1.5 girls, elite body frame, 10/10 sideburns.

Riley Anderson

HCP 11.0

The Bridges, WI

Human golden retriever. Father of 1 — used to live in a van down by the river, now lives in a home.

Shane Shuster

HCP 11.1

Chaska Town, MN

Play well to My Chemical Romance or Fall Out Boy at max volume? This is your guy. Voice of an angel. Ken the Barbie doll's cousin. Another certified girl dad with a lovely mustache and questionable music.

Ryan Phillips

HCP 11.2

Pheasant Acres, MN

They don't call him Philly Tall Grass for nothin'. Lives in a glass cage of emotion. Living the bachelor lifestyle while finding the tall grass.

Mitch Morrisette

HCP 12.0

Gem Lakes, MN

Rocks a mixed bag of junior clubs, men's clubs, and a putter from 1969. Harness his emotions and he's a valuable asset. If used incorrectly, watch a sand wedge helicopter its way into a pond. Recently engaged, and our sponsor of the 2026 firework show.

Andrew Baker

HCP 12.5

Oneka Ridge, MN

The Chairman. A leader, both on and off the course. Has a patent pending for an arm sleeve training device that holds your elbow in a hyperextended state. Lives with his mom at 32, and father of one dog who failed hunting school.

Michael Dragger

HCP 13.0

Chaska Town, MN

DINK living the dream as a chill guy with chill vibes.

Erik Hilgren

HCP 14.0

The Wilderness, MN

Jack's buddy. Erik Hilgren is his birth name, and was recently married in the BVIs. Also hits dingers.

Josh Tismer

HCP 14.0

The Highlands, ID

Word on the street: he's been putting in the work. Lowest handicap to date, poised to make a run at another title. Most excited about the new hats. New bachelor on the block, a real scramble threat, and got a tattoo at 13.

Joe Nasvik

HCP 14.7

Oneka Ridge, MN

Has been known to get golf balls and/or himself stuck in trees. Father of 2; his dad was the high school golf coach, and he still sucks. Also, human forklift.

Josh Bartness

HCP 17.7

Kiawah, SC

CEO. Once won this tournament in a dress. Strong mental toughness — still chasing the game he had at the Air Force Academy in 2016. Father of 2 boys, military veteran, newfound identity as a southern gentleman.

The Immeasurables

Peter Deppert

HCP: Chilean women

Keller, MN

Bi-lingual globe-trotter who can over-analyze the slightest things. Checks out.

Hans Gorowsky

HCP: Doesn't know his dominant hand

Shadow Ridge Driving Range, MN

Might play better for your team if you just hand him a left-handed club. Father of 1.5 boys, made flying his whole personality in 2019.

Brandon Baker

HCP: Has Died

Emerald Bay, FL (wink)

The Chairman's cousin. The Driver is his weapon, but not the one you find in a golf bag. Lives a cush lifestyle on the shores of Lake Gervais, father of 2, and owner of an awful hairline.

Ted Krueger

HCP: Latina women

Brookview, MN

Making his first ever appearance at the Invitational. Everyone say hi, Ted. WARNING: Do not make any sudden movements or extended eye contact with this guy. Father of 2 male dogs, and loves killing animals. Look out.

Graham Kaun

HCP: Titos

Pool Side, MN

Sustained major head trauma at a past event; his game hasn't been impacted as a result. Father of 2 children that will drink your Tito's.

7HOLE

Career Titles: Zero