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Jason Topp

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Minneapolis GC
« on: September 19, 2005, 11:25:26 AM »
I've heard rumour that a faction of Minneapolis Golf Club is trying to push through a renovation that would add 400 yards and 65 bunkers.  (I don't know if those details are precisely accurate).  Assuming these changes are as radical as portrayed to me, I would hate to see that happen.

Minneapolis Golf Club is a terrific old course designed by Willie Park in 1916, with some re-design by Donald Ross in 1920.  It hosted the PGA Championship in the 50s, hosts an invitational state level amateur tournament in the early summer and is widely regarded as one of the more enjoyable courses in the area.

Their web site provides great detail on the design:

 http://www.minneapolisgolfclub.com/guest/view.htm

Ben Crenshaw played in an exhibition in 1995, and was highly complimentary of the course, suggesting the members make sure they preserve what they have.  Ironically, he is quoted on the club website as saying "This is a wonderful old course. Do all that you can to preserve its classic integrity."

At around 7000 yards, it is plenty long for any state level play and does not have enough room for facilities to allow for it to host a big event.

While I do not know the details of the plans, I know that the same group that is leading the charge on this issue, also has set the course up in recent years with high punishing rough.  Accordingy, I fear the motives behind this proposal.  I sure would like to see any Donald Ross society type people provide critique of the proposed plans to the club, and support to those that want to preserve its playability.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2005, 03:37:02 PM by Jason Topp »

RJ_Daley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minneapolis GC - Technology and ego
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2005, 11:41:07 AM »
Jason, I just took the photo tour on their website.  It looks to me like the place has already been homogenized over the years, perhaps by Bob Lohmann, as the previously remodelled bunker work looks remarkably similar to the interim remodel that was done at the North Shore CC in Menasha, WI.  It looks like the members opted for a tree planting program over the years to add what they may have thought was difficulty or strategy.  I wonder if they lost several bunkers when they decided to narrow fairways, and plant trees.  Maybe the remodel program is more in line with original intent than what they evolved to.  They could really benefit if they took a field trip to see what Rennaissance did at North Shore with an apparently similar course.

In reading their mission statement, it strikes me that item #1 and #9 have the potential to be in conflict, in all practicality.

For the record:  I'm not advocating for an exact restore job - just an interpretive but knowledgeable renovation based on original design intentions, done by a modern day craftsman of great classic bunkers of the golden era archie.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2005, 11:43:28 AM by RJ_Daley »
No actual golf rounds were ruined or delayed, nor golf rules broken, in the taking of any photographs that may be displayed by the above forum user.

T_MacWood

Re:Minneapolis GC - Technology and ego
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2005, 12:21:06 PM »
I suspect Minneapolis is actually Tom Bendelow. Willie Park did visit the club, and it was announced he would design their new course, but for whatever reason his involvement never materialized. Park never listed Minneapolis as one of his designs. If I'm not mistaken the last work at Minneapolis was carried out by Ron Prichard.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2005, 12:41:41 PM by Tom MacWood »

Jason Topp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minneapolis GC
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2005, 03:37:48 PM »
I modified the title.  I think my original title was probably unfair given how little I actually know about the project.

michael_j_fay

Re:Minneapolis GC
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2005, 07:05:51 PM »
Minneapolis is credited to Park and then mostly to Ross.
They have hired Prichard to undo the maintenance driven raised platform bunkers of Joel Goldstrand,

Minneapolis G.C. is a big mostly flat venue. I am certain that the fervor to add 400+ yards will be carried out. The Club has the reputation as the players club in Minneapolis and has a long list of low single digit handicappers. With increased difficulty in the bunkers and additional yardage this course will be a bear.

As for real Ross in Minneapolis I look to Minikahda and White Bear Yacht Club. Neither is overwhelmingly long but the venues are captivating.

John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minneapolis GC
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2005, 07:31:35 PM »
Jason:

As I recall, they didn't even have a full driving range when I was a kid.  Mpls is a very good golf course.  As mentioned, they have a TON of low handicappers.  (At one point I think it was #1 or #2 in the nation with Bloomingdale around Tampa.)

Interesting.  I don't know where those tees will go.

Somerset is an example of a Twin Cities course that did an outstanding job of adding length.  The 5 or 6 back tees added in the late 80s/early 90s didn't compromise the course one bit.  Of course, I'm sure it could use more length again given the distance today's top amateurs and college players move it.

T_MacWood

Re:Minneapolis GC
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2005, 08:53:17 PM »
Ross never listed Minneapolis either...nor did he list White Bear YC. What exactly did Ross do at Minneapolis GC?
« Last Edit: September 19, 2005, 09:02:04 PM by Tom MacWood »

Eric_Dorsey

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minneapolis GC
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2005, 09:57:34 PM »


As for real Ross in Minneapolis I look to Minikahda and White Bear Yacht Club. Neither is overwhelmingly long but the venues are captivating.


curious Mr. Fay, why not give a nod to Interlachen?

Wayne Freeman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minneapolis GC
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2005, 10:29:02 PM »
Jason-    I think Interlachen and Somerset are much better courses, and certainly Minikahda has a lot more charm. Somerset used to be ranked very high in  Minn.  It has a very small membership and the locker room and clubhouse are both very old and rather small- which is the way they like it.  It is a Raynor design from 1920 and has some really terrific holes. It reminded me several times of Yale.  Minneapolis is good but doesn't have great interest or nearly the variety of shotmaking that the others have.  The driving range is very short so you have to hit 20 or 30 compression balls.  

Rick Shefchik

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minneapolis GC
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2005, 10:44:53 AM »
Having played Somerset yesterday in a foursome with Dan Kelly, I have to echo what has been said here by John Conley and Wayne Freeman: Somerset is a wonderful golf course, in my opinion superior to Interlachen, and one that continues to grow on me each time I'm lucky enough to play it.

Though it is surrounded by residential roads, there is still some room to add a bit of length, but the current back tees -- discreetly positioned, as John said, in a way that does not remotely alter the essential nature of the parkland-style course -- provide a very strong test on many of the par 4s, some of which are in the 450-460 range. If it's 480-yard par 4s you need to test your game, however, look elsewhere. Somerset isn't that kind of course.

The original topographical map from 1919, with the original tees and greens superimposed, hangs in the men's locker room. On a nearby wall is a map of the re-routing from 1950, undertaken by Stanley Thompson. I have no idea how much of the orginal Raynor remains, but several of the greens are reminiscent of Thompson's work at North Oaks, while a couple of others -- notably the par-5 16th -- seems more like a Ross.

Raynor's touch certainly seems to still be in evidence; number four features a wonderful Redan-style green, and number 12 has a slight Biarritz trough through the center of the green.

Fortunately, new members -- what few there may be -- are advised to appreciate the clubhouse and the course the way they are, because the older members have no intention of changing them. Hallelujah.  
"Golf is 20 percent mechanics and technique. The other 80 percent is philosophy, humor, tragedy, romance, melodrama, companionship, camaraderie, cussedness and conversation." - Grantland Rice

Dan Kelly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Minneapolis GC
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2005, 10:55:42 AM »
"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016