Bergner gets back in the game

Bryan Bergner was the head golf course superintendent at the upscale private Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield, Wis. Everything was progressing in his career just as he would have planned. Then he suddenly walked away on Sept. 31, 2016, to be a stay-at-home dad.

He had paid his dues, being the assistant superintendent for five years before being promoted in 2012. Yet, he walked away at age 44 to form a stronger bond with his wife, Danielle, and their 7-year-old son, Miles.

“It was a big change for us,” Danielle says. “But when I was offered a new role at work, it caused us to pause and really think about things. It was a massive change for Bryan, but it was the best decision we ever made as a family.

“Bryan is no longer thinking about the golf course 24 hours a day, and Miles is super happy to have his dad at home all the time. He is a different kid since Bryan is at home.

Danielle is a partner in a Milwaukee law firm, and even though Bryan had a great job, too, she was the family's primary bread-winner.

“She couldn’t give up what she was doing,” says Bergner, who is back on the golf course this week, volunteering to mow greens on the grounds staff at Erin Hills during daily preparations for the U.S. Open. “It was a heck of an adjustment, but it has been great for the family. We had different hours for work, and we rarely saw each other. Now the stress is greatly reduced, and we have a completely different life.

“I guess you could say I’m back in the game, at least for a week,” says Bergner, who is helping celebrate the first U.S. Open in Wisconsin, and loving every minute of it.