Minnesota golf trip ideas...

[Bill Ward]

Am planning on flying out to the Twin Cities area the weekend after Memorial Day to visit a friend and play lots of golf.  So far we are planning on playing Troy Burne because it's close by and he say's it's a lot of fun.  Then we are hitting the Jeff Brauer trail and playing the Giants Ridge courses and the Wilderness.  Was wondering--

A) whether there might be some more good options on the way to Giants Ridge, and
B) whether there are some 'must see' courses that we may have overlooked, and lastly
C) whether June 1 is too early in the season out there.  I am from California and have no concept of weather or of the midwest for that matter, and he recently moved back there and was not yet a golfer when he lived there before. 

Neither one of us wants to zip around in a car the whole time so for that reason have decided not to try to make it to Lawsonia.  Any feedback would be appreciated. 

Thanks,
Bill.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Bill,

Northland in Duluth is a great Ross, and probably not too hard to access.

Bobby Weed's course out in Stillwater (somewhat out of the way, but not objectionably so) is worth a play, I like it a lot. Lawsonia is a drive, but is great.  Might go out of my own way to play it!

June 1 can be iffy, so dress warm.  August 1 can be iffy if you come from So Cal!

BTW, I will be up there the week after Memorial Day, and sometime that week, do play to go over and play the courses.  You might ask in the pro shop if I am around, depending on your schedule.

[Rick Shefchik]

Jeff's right about both Northland and StoneRidge. Northland's the ideal stop on the way to Giants Ridge if you can arrange to play it. And Stone Ridge is fun and very close to Troy Burne. You could easily do Troy and Stone Ridge in a day.

Hell, June 1 is high summer around here, compared to winter around here.

[Dan Kelly]

Bobby Weed's course out in Stillwater (somewhat out of the way, but not objectionably so) is worth a play, I like it a lot.

That's StoneRidge. It's good -- and it's not at ALL out of the way if you're driving from MSP to Troy Burne. It's absolutely right on the way to Troy Burne, on I-94.

You could play them both in one day. June 1 should be dandy in the TC -- if not necessarily balmy up in Brauer country.

How many days do you have in the Twin Cities?

(I seem to be a minute or two late on EVERYTHING today!)

[Dan Kelly]

... winter around here.

In other words: June 2 to May 31.

[Adam Clayman]

A certain Bird told me Northland might be the best in state. Now, that is strong.

Is it private?

[Dan Kelly]

Is it private?

Yes.

But not too terribly snooty about it!

(No offense intended to any too terribly snooty clubs...)

[Bill Ward]

I think we were planning on playing one day in the twin cities area--troy burne--before heading up to giants ridge. 

[PCCraig]

Bill:

I've played a grand total of 3 rounds of golf in Minnesota so far this year (thanks Mother Nature! ) but one public option around here is Keller Golf Course which I thought was really pretty good, inexpensive, and has some great history (two PGA Championships, a Western Open won by Sam Snead, 30+ years as a PGA Tour stop, and ~10 years as a LPGA stop). It's worth checking out and it's about 5 miles north from the Blue Door Pub which is a great Juicy Lucy (burger) and beer place that serves a mean cheese curd too.

Once you make it up north Northland CC is supposed to be awesome.

[John_Conley]

StoneRidge is very good.

With the direction you are heading to get to Biwabik, another suggestion is Cloquet.  Northland is obviously first, bit you could try the original nine at Cloquet if you have time.

It won't work on this trip, but I always loved Owatonna Country Club.

Have fun.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Yes, Cloquet claims to be a Ross front nine, although Brad Klein doesn't think so.  Its probably more likely one of his shapers slipped over for a side job, but there are still some greens that look like authentic Ross shaper style.  Worth a look. 

The UM course is worth a look right in the cities as are some other privates (Notably White Bear Yacht Club, but that is borderline snooty and Somerset which is really snooty, and said to have turned down Bob Hope.  The day we played there, our host was late on account of the President and First Lady (Bush, not Obama) spent the night at their house and wanted to cook breakfast.  Its the only time I had a round of golf held up by the Prez.


On the other hand, I doubt you would be dissapointed in just heading right to Biwabik/Tower, but then, I am biased.

[Jason Topp]

I would substitute Stoneridge for Troy Burne and then play as much as you can at Giant's Ridge/Wilderness/Northland.  It could be cold or could be perfect.

Another option that is less out of the way than one would think is Big Fish in Hayward, WI.  It is either Dye or Liddy  and as good or better than any of the publics in the Twin Cities.  The front nine is good.  The back nine is terrific.  The drive is beautiful but watch out for deer at sunset.

[John_Conley]

On the other hand, I doubt you would be dissapointed in just heading right to Biwabik/Tower, but then, I am biased.

Hey Jeff, I never told him to go to Cloquet instead of Giants Ridge!

[Bill Ward]

Thanks, this is great input.  From looking at pictures Stoneridge does look like a fun course.  

[Bruce Leland]

Don't miss Northland CC on the way to Giant's Ridge.  If pressed for time on the Northward swing, play NCC in Duluth then drive to Wilderness and play 36 there topped off by a night in the Casino if you have a mind to wager.  I like both courses at Giant's but personally think Wilderness is Brauer's best in MN.  Just my humble opinion and you won't be disappointed by any mentioned here.  

[Bill Ward]

I would substitute Stoneridge for Troy Burne and then play as much as you can at Giant's Ridge/Wilderness/Northland.  It could be cold or could be perfect.

Another option that is less out of the way than one would think is Big Fish in Hayward, WI.  It is either Dye or Liddy  and as good or better than any of the publics in the Twin Cities.  The front nine is good.  The back nine is terrific.  The drive is beautiful but watch out for deer at sunset.


Looked at the Big Fish website and it say it's a Dye course and only around $50.  Looks like a fun course.  This trip is starting to get complicated in a good way.   I'll try to post itinerary and hopefully can meet up with some of you guys. 

[Jim Franklin]

I played Northland on my way to Giants Ridge and was thrilled with the small detour. Both were fantastic.

[Jeff Shelman]

I don't know that I have a ton more to add.

If you are going to play a Twin Cities area public, Troy Burne is where to go. StoneRidge is also good as a second choice or if you are looking for a 36-hole day with a short drive between courses.

I would also encourage a trip to Northland on the way to Giants Ridge. It is a wonderful golf course. The people there are very nice.

If the Twins are in town, spend a night at Target Field.

And while I greatly respect Brauer, I cannot in clear conscience tell someone to play a 5-hour round at the U of M on a course that is generally not in great shape and has too many trees. There are at least 15 public courses in the Twin Cites I would tell people to play before the U course.

[Morgan Clawson]

Both Giant's Ridge courses and The Wilderness are worthy of multiple plays; particularly The Quarry at Giant's Ridge.

Northland is a terrific Ross!  Troy Burn may be the best public in the metro area.

That is a solid 5 course trip.  There really is no need to stray beyond those 5.

[Dan Kelly]

And while I greatly respect Brauer, I cannot in clear conscience tell someone to play a 5-hour round at the U of M on a course that is generally not in great shape and has too many trees. There are at least 15 public courses in the Twin Cites I would tell people to play before the U course.

The U of M course is "worth a look" if you live here -- but not for a visitor. Keller is a MUCH better bet if you're going to play a "muni" -- and one of the great values in town.

I'm happy to second the Big Fish tout. Have played there only once, but -- like Jason Topp -- I thought the front was fine and the back was outstanding.

[Jason Topp]

I don't know that I have a ton more to add.

If you are going to play a Twin Cities area public, Troy Burne is where to go. StoneRidge is also good as a second choice or if you are looking for a 36-hole day with a short drive between courses.

 Troy Burn may be the best public in the metro area.

We will need to have some Troy Burne/Stoneridge discussions this summer.

[Dan Kelly]

I don't know that I have a ton more to add.

If you are going to play a Twin Cities area public, Troy Burne is where to go. StoneRidge is also good as a second choice or if you are looking for a 36-hole day with a short drive between courses.

 Troy Burn may be the best public in the metro area.

We will need to have some Troy Burne/Stoneridge discussions this summer.

I'm up for a 36-hole StoneRidge/Troy Burne day, followed by a libation or two.

I'd vote to end at Troy Burne. Those last half-dozen holes at StoneRidge are a little brutal on an old guy with bursitis.

[Jeff Shelman]

What Jason, you don't agree with my take that Troy Burne is better than StoneRidge?

[Dan Kelly]

What Jason, you don't agree with my take that Troy Burne is better than StoneRidge?

See Reply #11. Now YOU'RE the one who needs the Slow Reading Course!

Up for a day of 36?

I *think* I'm on your side of the StoneRidge/Troy Burne divide, but it's been years since I played TB.

[Jason Topp]

What Jason, you don't agree with my take that Troy Burne is better than StoneRidge?

Hole 1
Hole 2
Hole 3
Hole 4
Hole 5
Hole 6
Hole 7
--- not hole 8
---- not hole 9
Hole 10
Hole 11
Hole 12
Hole 13
Hole 14
Draw at hole 15
Hole 16
Hole 17
Hole 18


Final score 15-2-1.  Not even close.

But I am in favor of Dan's idea.