Minnesota wrx's?

[ladahl]

My parents home (which I am at right now) is only 5 miles from the Ridge. Both these courses are run by the state and are even subsidized an additional million $ annually.....


I played the Wilderness at Fortune Bay (Tower, MN) instead. They are making a KILLING this weekend with the Ridge courses shut down... What a joke Dayton.

[quote name='rlheiman' timestamp='1309532458' post='3355946']
Giants Ridge hit today by MN government shut down. Anyone know why this course is impacted by this? Is it state run or state funded?
[/quote]

[rlheiman]

[quote name='ladahl' timestamp='1309624885' post='3359212']
My parents home (which I am at right now) is only 5 miles from the Ridge. Both these courses are run by the state and are even subsidized an additional million $ annually.....


I played the Wilderness at Fortune Bay (Tower, MN) instead. They are making a KILLING this weekend with the Ridge courses shut down... What a joke Dayton.

[quote name='rlheiman' timestamp='1309532458' post='3355946']
Giants Ridge hit today by MN government shut down. Anyone know why this course is impacted by this? Is it state run or state funded?
[/quote]
[/quote]

I didn't realize that the Ridge courses were run by the state. They are managed by Troon golf but I guess the state has the $$. Sad.
I be really mad if I had made big 4th plans to play the Ridge courses especially if out of state only to show up and have them closed. Not cool.

The Wilderness is awesome, so good for them to get the extra business.

[ladahl]

Minnesota WRXer's.... What do you think?

Top 3 courses in Brainerd area? Heading back for 4 days in a month.

[GC70]

Deacon's[quote name='ladahl' timestamp='1310696206' post='3392702']
Minnesota WRXer's.... What do you think?

Top 3 courses in Brainerd area? Heading back for 4 days in a month.
[/quote]


Deacon's Lodge

[RooneyTunes]

Just moved up to the twin cities area permanently. I was up here for most of last summer though. Just thought I would introduce myself here quick, hope to see some of you guys out on the course!

[rlheiman]

[quote name='ladahl' timestamp='1310696206' post='3392702']
Minnesota WRXer's.... What do you think?

Top 3 courses in Brainerd area? Heading back for 4 days in a month.
[/quote]

1. Classic
2. Deacons Lodge
3. Dutch Legacy

[Vintage1976]

[quote name='RooneyTunes' timestamp='1311702999' post='3425291']
Just moved up to the twin cities area permanently. I was up here for most of last summer though. Just thought I would introduce myself here quick, hope to see some of you guys out on the course!
[/quote]

Welcome back! There's a great golf community up here and some really beautiful courses. I think there's already been a suggestion here, but we really should have an ongoing monthly match for the Minnesota WRXer's. Maybe other people want to chime in on the subject!

[RooneyTunes]

[quote name='heavybladed' timestamp='1311718353' post='3426263']
[quote name='RooneyTunes' timestamp='1311702999' post='3425291']
Just moved up to the twin cities area permanently. I was up here for most of last summer though. Just thought I would introduce myself here quick, hope to see some of you guys out on the course!
[/quote]

Welcome back! There's a great golf community up here and some really beautiful courses. I think there's already been a suggestion here, but we really should have an ongoing monthly match for the Minnesota WRXer's. Maybe other people want to chime in on the subject!
[/quote]


That would be awesome! Perhaps we should start a new thread proposing such a match?

[bsugolf09]

[quote name='rlheiman' timestamp='1311706148' post='3425436']
[quote name='ladahl' timestamp='1310696206' post='3392702']
Minnesota WRXer's.... What do you think?

Top 3 courses in Brainerd area? Heading back for 4 days in a month.
[/quote]

1. Classic
[s]2. Deacons Lodge[/s] The Pines
3. Dutch Legacy
[/quote]


Honestly, it's kind of a fun course, but it wasn't in great shape last time I played it. I know they were having financial issues, which were hampering their ability to keep it up as well as they did in the early going. I played it 7 years ago when it was pretty new and it was great. I'd have to replace it with the Pines. I love that place. Great scenery and always in great shape (every time I've played it). That's not to say that you shouldn't give Deac's a shot, but I would put those three ahead of it.

[linkerpan]

Mu old roommate and I just made a golf trip 2 weeks ago. We played 126 holes in 5 days!
In Brainerd, The Classic is in a league of its own. Expensive, but worthy of it. Next time I will plan 36 holes in the same.
Then I would say the 2 from Craguns, where people is in love with Dutch's but the real monster is Bobby's.
I have played Deacon, is the best clubhouse and practice but wasn't as impressed as with the other 3.
Craguns have a very good staying deal, but I am not into old resorts. That is when I found out the owners also own the Holiday Inn in Baxter and they honor the same plan. Also, they have a Par 3 that can be good practice.
But for my money, the best trip you can make in Mn is upnorth to play Giants Ridge and the Wilderness. Brainerd's advantage is being less than 2 hours from the Cities.

[ladahl]

I havent stuck a tee into the ground for a while (third week in Aug).....

Looking ot play soe golf in SE Minnesota this Saturday, but most of my buddies are out of town... Anyone interested in getting together someplace?

I'm about a 14 hcp. 34 yr old..

[Vintage1976]

Would come down from the cities, but I've gotta work this weekend.

[RooneyTunes]

Anyone playing this week before it gets crappy??

[venand]

Looks like this topic has frozen over with the MN winter....March is just around the corner. I am hopeful we will see golf courses opening soon!

A little off topic, any recommendations for golf destinations within a 6 hour range of the twin cities? My buddies are thinking of heading to Des Moines after going to South Dakota (freaking amazing), Brainerd Lakes area and Duluth the past 3 years. Please let me know if we are doing the right thing going to Iowa.....

Also, do you guys ever get together?

[radiman]

I lived in Des Moines for a short time. I can't really recall any nice public courses. Although there were a few really nice private courses within the city. But with the economic climate that may have changed. It was over 10 years ago so my memory could be a bit foggy. I just don't remember playing anywhere special when I was there.

[Titleist87]

[quote name='radiman' timestamp='1329713031' post='4329249']
I lived in Des Moines for a short time. I can't really recall any nice public courses. Although there were a few really nice private courses within the city. But with the economic climate that may have changed. It was over 10 years ago so my memory could be a bit foggy. I just don't remember playing anywhere special when I was there.
[/quote]

As a Minnesotan who lived in DSM:
Harvester
Veenker
Toad Valley
Waveland
Lake Panorama
Amana Colonies
Beaver Creek

Sentimental Favorites:
Jester Park
Willow Creek

[rlheiman]

[quote name='venand' timestamp='1329712442' post='4329187']
Looks like this topic has frozen over with the MN winter....March is just around the corner. I am hopeful we will see golf courses opening soon!

A little off topic, any recommendations for golf destinations within a 6 hour range of the twin cities? My buddies are thinking of heading to Des Moines after going to South Dakota (freaking amazing), Brainerd Lakes area and Duluth the past 3 years. Please let me know if we are doing the right thing going to Iowa.....

Also, do you guys ever get together?
[/quote]

Where did you go in South Dakota?

Iowa has some nice courses, and at a 3 hour drive to Des Moines you can actually do a day trip down and back.

[venand]

[quote name='rlheiman' timestamp='1329745370' post='4330651']
[quote name='venand' timestamp='1329712442' post='4329187']
Looks like this topic has frozen over with the MN winter....March is just around the corner. I am hopeful we will see golf courses opening soon!

A little off topic, any recommendations for golf destinations within a 6 hour range of the twin cities? My buddies are thinking of heading to Des Moines after going to South Dakota (freaking amazing), Brainerd Lakes area and Duluth the past 3 years. Please let me know if we are doing the right thing going to Iowa.....

Also, do you guys ever get together?
[/quote]

Where did you go in South Dakota?

Iowa has some nice courses, and at a 3 hour drive to Des Moines you can actually do a day trip down and back.
[/quote]

We hit up the South Dakota Golf Trail (not sure if that is what it is called). Basically you pay $150 (without cart) to play the Bully Pulpit, Links of North Dakota and Hawk Tree. It is quite a drive to say the least. We spent 1/2 of our trip in the car and half of it golfing. As bad as that was I would do it again in a second. The courses were fantastic.

Links of North Dakota: Awesome links style course. Probably the most authentic links style I have ever played. Apparently they moved very little earth when building the course to give it the feel of an actual links course. Views were great. We walked the course and did fine. We tried to walk that one knowing we would be riding the Bully Pulpit.

Bully Pulpit: Really dissapointed, but not because of the holes we played. They had a ton of flooding last year and basically all of the lower holes were closed. The positives, we were able to play all of the really fun senic holes on the back nine twice! I can't wait to go back and play a full round. I just talked to the manager at the MN golf show. They said they will be ready for play very soon. This was definitily the most senic. Some great views and elevated tee shots. Played my best round there and ended up birdiing #16 twice. It is a tricky litttle par three and I just got lucky. Stole some cash from my friends in the 2 club.

Hawk Tree: At the beginning of the trip I thought I would have liked this course the best. One guy we met on the way out told us we would put it #3 by the end of our trip. He was right. Great course and very challenging. Some really good golf holes, but it just didn't compare with the Links or the Bully Pulpit.

I'll try to post some pictures this week. We have some incredible views from Links and Bully. I would highly reccomend this trip with the caviat of driving and frustration in finding a hotel room due to the oil boom.

Cheers,

Andrew

[radiman]

[quote name='drstroud' timestamp='1329722573' post='4329945']
[quote name='radiman' timestamp='1329713031' post='4329249']
I lived in Des Moines for a short time. I can't really recall any nice public courses. Although there were a few really nice private courses within the city. But with the economic climate that may have changed. It was over 10 years ago so my memory could be a bit foggy. I just don't remember playing anywhere special when I was there.
[/quote]

As a Minnesotan who lived in DSM:
Harvester
Veenker
Toad Valley
Waveland
Lake Panorama
Amana Colonies
Beaver Creek

Sentimental Favorites:
Jester Park
Willow Creek
[/quote]


Apparently I really missed out while I was there. Seems like a pretty good list. Are all of these in the Des Moines metro area?

[JLew]

[quote name='radiman' timestamp='1329755032' post='4331717']
[quote name='drstroud' timestamp='1329722573' post='4329945']
[quote name='radiman' timestamp='1329713031' post='4329249']
I lived in Des Moines for a short time. I can't really recall any nice public courses. Although there were a few really nice private courses within the city. But with the economic climate that may have changed. It was over 10 years ago so my memory could be a bit foggy. I just don't remember playing anywhere special when I was there.
[/quote]

As a Minnesotan who lived in DSM:
Harvester
Veenker
Toad Valley
Waveland
Lake Panorama
Amana Colonies
Beaver Creek

Sentimental Favorites:
Jester Park
Willow Creek
[/quote]


Apparently I really missed out while I was there. Seems like a pretty good list. Are all of these in the Des Moines metro area?
[/quote]

Tournament Club of Iowa is nice as well (Polk City).

[Titleist87]

[quote name='radiman' timestamp='1329755032' post='4331717']
[quote name='drstroud' timestamp='1329722573' post='4329945']
[quote name='radiman' timestamp='1329713031' post='4329249']
I lived in Des Moines for a short time. I can't really recall any nice public courses. Although there were a few really nice private courses within the city. But with the economic climate that may have changed. It was over 10 years ago so my memory could be a bit foggy. I just don't remember playing anywhere special when I was there.
[/quote]

As a Minnesotan who lived in DSM:
Harvester
Veenker
Toad Valley
Waveland
Lake Panorama
Amana Colonies
Beaver Creek

Sentimental Favorites:
Jester Park
Willow Creek
[/quote]


Apparently I really missed out while I was there. Seems like a pretty good list. Are all of these in the Des Moines metro area?
[/quote]

Amana, Harvester, and Panorama are easy drives and Veenker is in Ames (ISU home course).

[whysguy]

see no mention of Bos Landen? Played it a few years back and thought it pretty nice.
Also Coldwater just off the freeway in Ames (?)
Certainly Harvester, Amana, and TCI are my favs.

[Joe85]

Just about that time boys. I was actually already out at my muni a few weeks ago when the snow all but cleared up, brought a bag and hit 'em surprisingly well. Going to even be in the 60s here for the rest of the week (especially in the cities here) so I expect some courses to be open very quickly.

[Vintage1976]

[quote name='Joe85' timestamp='1331335775' post='4472679']
Just about that time boys. I was actually already out at my muni a few weeks ago when the snow all but cleared up, brought a bag and hit 'em surprisingly well. Going to even be in the 60s here for the rest of the week (especially in the cities here) so I expect some courses to be open very quickly.
[/quote]

http://twincitiesgolf.com/golf-courses-open-in-minnesota/

Here's a short list. Not guaranteed, but a quick reference.

[SPY ZINGER]

I'm taking a day off next week to play! Going to pick the best one! We deserve this after last winter!!

[Ldubbzie21]

I'm also from MN... Live up in Maple Grove... I'd love to see if we can't get an event or a monthly thing put together around here. Anyone interested? I mostly play out of Bunker Hills.

[Vintage1976]

[quote name='Lukas Warren' timestamp='1331336867' post='4472773']
I'm also from MN... Live up in Maple Grove... I'd love to see if we can't get an event or a monthly thing put together around here. Anyone interested? I mostly play out of Bunker Hills.
[/quote]

Bunker is a nice spot, l like the 3 nine rotation. l'd probably be in if it's on a weekend.

[ladahl]

Tee time @ 12:16 tomorrow (Rochester, MN)

[Joe85]

[quote name='heavybladed' timestamp='1331336357' post='4472729']


[url="http://twincitiesgolf.com/golf-courses-open-in-minnesota/"]http://twincitiesgol...n-in-minnesota/[/url]

Here's a short list. Not guaranteed, but a quick reference.
[/quote]

Thanks.


[quote name='SPY ZINGER' timestamp='1331336832' post='4472769']
I'm taking a day off next week to play! Going to pick the best one! We deserve this after last winter!!
[/quote]

Eh, after the '10-'11 Winter, maybe, but this one was actually quite mild.


[quote name='ladahl' timestamp='1331341166' post='4473207']
Tee time @ 12:16 tomorrow (Rochester, MN)
[/quote]

It's amazing how different it gets from our nothern-most part of the state, from the cities down to Rochester. The Cities really change the scene dramatically once you get either just north or just south of them. I have family on the Iron Range the difference is very dramatic from there to MSP.

[ladahl]

Tee time @ 12:16 tomorrow (Rochester, MN)
[/quote]

It's amazing how different it gets from our nothern-most part of the state, from the cities down to Rochester. The Cities really change the scene dramatically once you get either just north or just south of them. I have family on the Iron Range the difference is very dramatic from there to MSP.
[/quote]

Yeah my folks live up there too (where I'm from)... I know guys that are still driving on the lake and ice fishin..