Stoneridge Golf Club - Stillwater, MN

skilikeme · June 28, 2010

Anyone played or joined?

Hey Minnesota guys-
Any of you played Stoneridge out in Stillwater/Woodbury?

I was out there yesterday poking around and from what I could see, it looks super nice.

Plus, if you are under 35 years old, unlimited golf for $1,600 a year!

Any insight would be great, thinking about pulling the trigger!
Thanks,
Jon

SPY ZINGER · June 28, 2010

Jon, I have played it several times, very nicely conditioned course consistent with the feel of one found in the southwest. My only complaint with the course is the bunkers. They are filled with larger pebbles and rocks. Ruined several good wedges out of their bunkers. I don't even hit my gamer wedges out there anymore, I just use my oldest one that I do not care about.

That price is not per year, it's for the rest of this year which is half over. It also does not include a cart and the course is not an easy walk.

Stuge · June 28, 2010

It is not the easiest walk in the world, but StoneRidge is easily one of the top public golf experiences in Minnesota. The fact that it's not a typical midwest parkland course helps set it apart in my eyes. I'm not sure if one of the previous comments was truly about the bunkers or if he is referring to the many waste areas. Either way, you do have to be a little careful. The course is a pleasure to play and the facilities are great, but it might not be everybody's cup of tea. I would suggest playing it and I'm sure if you decide to join they would deduct the greens fee from your membership. I would also suggest there are some decent private clubs trying to gain members and you might want to consider checking out places like Hastings Country Club or Hillcrest Golf Club, which depending on where you live might even be more convenient than StoneRidge (not that I have anything against StoneRidge).

skilikeme · June 28, 2010

Both helpful feedbacks! I appreciate it!

I was concerned that at $1,600 that, like Spy was saying, it was just the remainer of the season.

It is $1,600 for a full year, no matter when you start. So if you buy tomorrow, you'd renew in a year.

Phenominally cheap.

I think I will check out some other private clubs, but the no monthly dues thing is really appealing to me!
Jon

SPY ZINGER · June 28, 2010

[quote name='skilikeme' date='28 June 2010 - 09:37 PM' timestamp='1277779078' post='2543437']
Both helpful feedbacks! I appreciate it!

I was concerned that at $1,600 that, like Spy was saying, it was just the remainer of the season.

It is $1,600 for a full year, no matter when you start. So if you buy tomorrow, you'd renew in a year.

Phenominally cheap.

I think I will check out some other private clubs, but the no monthly dues thing is really appealing to me!
Jon
[/quote]
I stand corrected on the membership, the under 35 must be new this year. Last year they offered the 'half dues' about this time, but was only good for the remainder of the season.

No doubt about it, Stone Ridge is fantastic, and you cannot go wrong. However, like I mentioned before, the bunkers are the worst I have played on any course. Also, not just the waste areas. The sand is terrible.

skilikeme · June 29, 2010

[quote name='SPY ZINGER' date='28 June 2010 - 10:21 PM' timestamp='1277781677' post='2543546']
[quote name='skilikeme' date='28 June 2010 - 09:37 PM' timestamp='1277779078' post='2543437']
Both helpful feedbacks! I appreciate it!

I was concerned that at $1,600 that, like Spy was saying, it was just the remainer of the season.

It is $1,600 for a full year, no matter when you start. So if you buy tomorrow, you'd renew in a year.

Phenominally cheap.

I think I will check out some other private clubs, but the no monthly dues thing is really appealing to me!
Jon
[/quote]
I stand corrected on the membership, the under 35 must be new this year. Last year they offered the 'half dues' about this time, but was only good for the remainder of the season.

No doubt about it, Stone Ridge is fantastic, and you cannot go wrong. However, like I mentioned before, the bunkers are the worst I have played on any course. Also, not just the waste areas. The sand is terrible.
[/quote]

No worries! And thanks for the invite to Hudson. I am from Savage, so that's going to be too much of a hike for me right now. I am going to Hillcrest tomorrow for a tour and maybe a quick round to check it out. I also contacted Bearpath as their initiation is way down at the moment, but I'm thinking their dues will be higher than I want. I also talked to Bracketts and they have a fairly high initiation and high dues...from what I have seen with them, not too impressed..

golferjoey3 · June 30, 2010

[/quote]

No worries! And thanks for the invite to Hudson. I am from Savage, so that's going to be too much of a hike for me right now. I am going to Hillcrest tomorrow for a tour and maybe a quick round to check it out. I also contacted Bearpath as their initiation is way down at the moment, but I'm thinking their dues will be higher than I want. I also talked to Bracketts and they have a fairly high initiation and high dues...from what I have seen with them, not too impressed..
[/quote]

I've played all 3 that you're looking at (Bearpath, Hillcrest, and StoneRidge) and I would definitely say go Stoneridge. All else being equal, it's by far the superior course to bearpath and hillcrest. I think Bearpath is highly overrated and I would go to Hillcrest before Bearpath.

Just my .02

jshel · June 30, 2010

There are a lot of good holes at Hillcrest and they are running quite the deal right now. Reduced dues, low initiation, no food minimum, etc.

It seems like pace of play there is pretty good.

StoneRidge is a better course, but I wonder about pace of play there because of public, etc. I am something of a private club fan, however.

skilikeme · June 30, 2010

Just played Hillcrest today and played 18 in 2.5 hours on a cart. No one out there and pretty good shape. The price was pretty good, and its slightly closer than Stoneridge. Reminded me a lot of Olympic Hills in EP. I worked there back in the day and loved that one too...

skilikeme · June 30, 2010

On a side note, the range at Hillcrest looked pretty craptastic... I use the range a lot now. Maybe I would just play more if I was a member? </thinking out loud>

HenryBall · August 1, 2010

[quote name='skilikeme' timestamp='1277947116' post='2547947']
On a side note, the range at Hillcrest looked pretty craptastic... I use the range a lot now. Maybe I would just play more if I was a member? </thinking out loud>
[/quote]

For the price Stoneridge is a great deal. Hillcrest has a great layout, but the range is a little on the poor side. If you are looking for the "prestige" of a membership stoneridge might be the one to go for.