For the last several years, Anthony Totoraitis would hustle to the Doyne Park Golf Course on Milwaukee’s west side nearly every day on his work lunch break to play a quick round on the nine-hole layout.

“I could play nine holes in about 35 minutes, if I hit it straight,” Totoraitis said.

He’d often spend weekends there, too, honing his skills on the course that is tucked into a neighborhood along West Wells Street that consists of small houses, a few apartment buildings and a church. Totoraitis, who first started playing the course with friends while a student at nearby Marquette University High School, could be found on the course nearly year-round, even in the cold of winter, provided snow wasn’t covering the course.

Much to Totoraitis’ disappointment, the Doyne Park course won’t be opening this season and is now permanently closed after 40 years in operation.

“Future use of the park has not been determined. First, we will seek public input on potential uses,” Milwaukee County Parks spokesman Ian Everett said. “Public engagement is expected to begin this summer.”

Declining rounds played, increased costs for maintenance and changes in preferences for entry-level players led to the decision to close Doyne, Everett said.

The course, Totoraits said, allowed him to work on his golf game without paying prohibitive greens fees. All nine holes on the course were less than 110 yards…