Twin Cities on Friday

[Frank Sekulic]

I will be in the Twin Cities on Thursday and Friday and I am looking for a place to play.


I am playing White Bear Yacht Club on Thursday and was hoping to squeeze in another 18 on Friday.


I have heard some good things about Rush Creek and the Meadows@Mystic Lake as well as the Chaska Town Course but outside of that I do not know much about the public golf offerings in the Minneapolis/ST. Paul area.


Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[BHoover]

I would check out either Rush Creek in Maple Grove or Stoneridge east of St. Paul.

[PCCraig]

Frank,


I am out of town this weekend starting Thursday, otherwise I would offer to host you at Town & Country on Friday.


My favorite public course in the Twin Cities is Keller Golf Course, which is not far from WBYC. It's a really fun classic course that has hosted two PGA Championships, the Western Open, and was a longtime host of the St. Paul Open on the PGA Tour. The course was renovated a few years ago by our own Richard Mandell and he did a very fine job. There are some very unique holes and shots (the par-3 4th for starters) and the stretch from #11-16 is really awesome and full of great holes. Plus it's only about $40 to play.


I like StoneRidge as well and Troy Burne in Hudson is nice. I'm not really a big fan of the other public courses I've seen around town, to be honest.


Where are you staying? Some great food these days in the Twin Cities. Make sure you go get yourself a Jucy Lucy. I like Matt's Bar and the Blue Door Pub. If you like beer you won't be far from Surly which is a big destination brewery with great food.

[Jason Topp]

Frank - Stoneridge would be my choice.  I had not played it in about 10 years but visited in late June.  It is a very creative golf course that just hosted the State Open so it should be in great condition. 

[Frank Sekulic]

Stoneridge seems to be the consensus pick.


Thanks for all the input, it is greatly appreciated.

[PCCraig]

How was your visit, Frank?

[BHoover]

Did you play Stoneridge? If so, what did you think?

[PCCraig]

Did you play Stoneridge? If so, what did you think?

It sounds like he hated it. 

[BHoover]

Did you play Stoneridge? If so, what did you think?

It sounds like he hated it. 

I knew they should have printed those scorecards without par!

[Frank Sekulic]

Did you play Stoneridge? If so, what did you think?

  I did not get the chance to play Stoneridge as I could not get a time before 4 that Friday so I opted to play Edinburgh, which was a fun course but, I would not go out of my way to play it the next time I am in the Cities.


I did play White Bear the day before and I would drive many, many miles to play there as it was a great course, with a lot of great holes, such as the 18th with the blind tee shot and the 9th with the blind approach shot into the green, which was somewhat reminiscent of the 18th at Yale.


All in all I loved the place and if anyone here gets the chance to play, they should definitely jump at the opportunity


 


 

[Jason Topp]

Did you play Stoneridge? If so, what did you think?

  I did not get the chance to play Stoneridge as I could not get a time before 4 that Friday so I opted to play Edinburgh, which was a fun course but, I would not go out of my way to play it the next time I am in the Cities.

At Edinburgh, they managed to build a Florida housing course in the Midwest.  As you say, the course is fine but would be about my 15th choice among the public options in town. 

[PCCraig]

Did you play Stoneridge? If so, what did you think?

  I did not get the chance to play Stoneridge as I could not get a time before 4 that Friday so I opted to play Edinburgh, which was a fun course but, I would not go out of my way to play it the next time I am in the Cities.


I did play White Bear the day before and I would drive many, many miles to play there as it was a great course, with a lot of great holes, such as the 18th with the blind tee shot and the 9th with the blind approach shot into the green, which was somewhat reminiscent of the 18th at Yale.


All in all I loved the place and if anyone here gets the chance to play, they should definitely jump at the opportunity

Glad you enjoyed it. Most people seem to think #18 at WBYC is the worst on the course. I believe the green was rebuilt in the 1970's and it's certainly the most boring on the course from an internal contour standpoint. But I think the tee shot is awesome and a lot of fun. Plus, the view from the top of the hill of the golf house and White Bear Lake is terrific.

[Frank Sekulic]

I do agree that the green is the most boring on the course and the view from the top of the hill is truly spectacular.


One thing I loved about my round there on Thursday was, mine was one of two groups on the entire course and after my playing partner had to bow out at the 4th hole due to sickness, I was playing two balls a hole on one of the top courses in the country with no one else in sight.


It was a truly great Thursday

[John Crowley]

Frank,
Sounds like you had a great experience at WBYC, sorry I could't make it that day.
John

[Tom Fagerli]

Frank,
Sounds like you had a great experience at WBYC, sorry I could't make it that day.
John

IMO zany experience at WBYC is a great one! I have been there once and only walked 36 holes with a friend taking the PAT. This was 1977 or 1978. I still recall much of it especially the tee shot over the hill on 18 and the rolling fairways.  What a place