By Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer Published Apr 04, 2002 at 5:41 AM

Don't think you have to travel for hours to find a quick, easy and fun weekend getaway. Indeed, Fox Hills Golf Resort & Conference Center is just over an hour north of Milwaukee, near the western shore of Lake Michigan.

With 45 holes of golf, a full-service spa, four pools -- one of which is open 24 hours a day -- a fitness center, two bar/eateries, miniature golf and more, there's fun for the whole family right in the heart of Mishicot, a small farming community a few miles north of Manitowoc and Two Rivers.

There are three nine-hole courses at Fox Hills, perfect for novices, nestled between the area's farms and cherry orchards. But golfers of all levels won't want to miss the 18-hole challenge of The National at Fox Hills, a links-style course that combines the best features of Scottish and Florida-style courses. There are 16 acres of water hazards, plus big sand traps, double greens and rolling mounds that make The National a real test.

A pro shop carries everything you'll need to play and there's a warm and welcoming bar/restaurant -- with a fireplace for winter and a deck for summer -- attached. Nearby is a mini-golf course.

Across the road at the conference center are meeting and event rooms and the Sand Trap Sports Pub and restaurant, which offers a range of sumptuous buffets and a Sunday brunch, all at reasonable prices. In the evening, enjoy a drink at the bar and listen to live music or watch the game on one of nine TVs. The pub also offers NTN trivia and other fun.

In the same complex of attached buildings are hotel-style rooms, two pools and the fitness center, with a full range of cardio-vascular exercise equipment and weight machines. But, best of all, you'll find the spa and beauty salon. There you can get a full body, partial or facial massage from the magic hands of therapist Cindy Vandenhouten, R.M.T. Or maybe you prefer an herbal wrap, foot reflexology or an herbal or mineral bath. The salon offers nail care, hair care and a wealth of other options to wash away the weekday worries.

On the eastern end of the complex lie a number of two-story buildings that house Fox Hills fully-appointed condominuium suites that feature whirpools, kitchens, washers and dryers, fireplaces and more. Nearby are two more pools, to say nothing of the volleyball, tennis and basketball courts, snowmobile and cross country ski trails, horseshoe pits and much more. You're sure to find something to do here.

There's also a lot to see in the area. Manitowoc, Two Rivers and Green Bay are just minutes away and you can reach the tip of Door County in about an hour.

Fox Hills offers a wide range of packages, from golf/food packages to weekend spa specials that include a massage, a midweek getaway, a romantic escape and more. Nearly every weekend there is a theme celebration that offers parties, live entertainment, games, specialty foods and more. During a recent weekend -- Turn Back the Clock to the '60s Weekend -- there were bands playing old songs, a hula hoop contest, a party decorated with stunning vintage Corvettes and other cars, and in-the-spirit staffers dressed in '60s outfits.

Through April Fox Hills is offering an unbeatable special on its condo suites. To make reservations or get more information, call (800) 950-7615 or visit www.fox-hills.com.

Fox Hills Resort is on Church Street in Mishicot. Take I-43 north to State 310 east and turn left on County Bto Mishicot. Turn left on Church Street and you can't miss it.

Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.

He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.

With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.

He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.

In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.

He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.