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Brad Swanson

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Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« on: August 21, 2003, 01:29:42 AM »
Doug "Quirk" Wright (perhaps the nickname Captian Quirk is in order!) has been threatening to send me a deluge of pics of his recent visit to the fine Ross's fine Minikahda CC in metro Minneapolis to post.  Here's a teaser.  If you'd like to see more, may I suggest shooting Doug off a couple dozen emails asking for more (if the latest version of the SoBig virus hasn't already done so :o).



I see a row of about a half-dozen trees right of the green ripe for removal to open a view to the adjacent hole, IMHO.

Keep 'em coming, Doug. I have bandwidth to burn.

Cheers,
Brad Swanson  

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Brad Klein

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2003, 04:09:53 AM »
Had the pleasure of playing Minikahda last Tuesday and speaking there to the membership about their restoration. What a fine job they've done. Most of the in-play and agronomically-debilitating trees have been taken out, but they also have some way to go wth clearing out others, esp. some confiers and lower growth stuff that clutter up views and angles. But they did as great job expanding fairways, deepening and stiffening their bunkers and reclaiming putting surfaces. I don't know of any Ross course with as many fine short par-4s.

Architect Ron Prichard, superintendent Jeff Johnson, director of golf Doug Nelson and the master plan committee did an amazing job coordinating their schedules and keeping things moving. What a fine outcome. The course will do for the regional restoration debate what Skokie in Chicago and Aronimink in Philadelphia did - set a whole new standard and lead everyone to emulate.
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Paul Richards

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Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2003, 06:44:28 AM »
I've seen Minikahda both pre-restoration and again mid-stream in May and I have to say I am very impressed with what has been done there.

Let's see some more pictures!!
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"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Tiger_Bernhardt

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Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2003, 08:56:05 AM »
I agree with Brad's comments. I toured and played most of the course in May. The short par 4's are deep in numberand strong in quality. I love the course and feel it is going to be back where it belongs amoung the top 3 or 4 courses in Minn. I do wish we had the quality of courses within my area that Minneapolis has inside the loop.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2003, 05:32:29 PM by Tiger_Bernhardt »
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John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2003, 09:27:59 AM »
Brad:

Do anything else in Minneapolis?  Gipper's and Bunny's are two pretty good places to grab a meal and beer on Excelsior Blvd.
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Doug Wright

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Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2003, 10:28:20 AM »
Brad S,

Thanks for posting the photo. This is the 5th hole at Minikahda, a short par 4 of about 300 yards.The tee shot is blind from a low area over a large ridge that bisects the fairway at about 180 yards. The same ridge bisects the 12th and 4th fairways to the left of this photo. The photo is from the top of the ridge looking down on the green. The hole offers good options--play an iron to the ridge for a good look at the green or blast away--just keep it straight!

The lone tree left of the fairway is all that remains of a forest of trees. Yes they could have taken out more trees like those you mention right of the green but those really aren't in play and they got rid of many many trees that were in play as well as others that opened up sight lines as you suggest.

The bunker in the fairway right is new. They restored many of the original Ross bunkers--don't know if this is one of them or a new idea. The greenside bunkers were restored (and deepened!).  

Like many at Minikahda, this green is subtly but elegantly sloped.

All involved in this restoration should be proud of their work. I hope to post more photos on here shortly.

Captain Quirk? Nah, just someone who likes to call out "Captain Anti-Quirk," Matt Ward...

All The Best,
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Twitter: @Deneuchre

Jeff_Brauer

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Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2003, 12:05:44 PM »
I flew over it yesterday and was impressed from the air.  It looks like a huge improvement from the tour I took a few years ago with the assistant pro.
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Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

Doug Wright

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2003, 12:30:25 PM »
Jeff,

That's one of Minikahda's weak points--a whole lot of constant, loud air traffic!

Sorta like Shea Stadium or the US Open Tennis Center when the wind's blowing the wrong way.

All The Best,
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Twitter: @Deneuchre

Scott_Burroughs

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Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2003, 12:45:04 PM »
Even I've seen Minikahda from the air upon takeoff or landing twice since December.
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ChipOat

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2003, 01:44:45 PM »
Brad Swanson:

You're halfway right about the trees to be removed.  But what about getting rid of the rest of them, as well??
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Tommy_Naccarato

Re:Minikahda CC restoration(?) teaser pic
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2003, 01:52:51 PM »
Totally impressed by what I see here!
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