[PCCraig]

Minikahda is a course that I have enjoyed more each time I've played it.

There are some really good golf holes there. I really like the 3rd, the derivable par-4 5th with its bling landing area, the 7th, 9th, 12th, 13th, and the stretch of 15-17. Overall it is a solid golf course, traditional and parkland in nature but on a nice piece of rolling land and just enough quirk to keep you on your toes. The 18th hole doesn't bother me too much, even if its just a straightforward driver and wedge. The greensite is pretty neat as if you go long you are essentially OB and the view from the green over the lake is awesome.

As Jason mentions above, some knock the course due to the finish which ends essentially with 4 short(er) par-4's. I have always really enjoyed the three holes across the road. I think on their own they are all really good holes...I love the approach at the 15th and the green on the 17th is awesome (I love the back, hidden, bunker).

If I were going to knock the course anywhere, it would be the set of par-3's. I think the 3rd is good, dramatic, hole. But the other 3 tend to all kind of play the same to me...they are all a longer iron and they all essentially play in the same direction (south).

When I belonged to Town & Country, I was lucky enough to play in the Twin Cities Cup a couple of times. The still in existence Cup dated back to 1898 and is a match between essentially St. Paul (T&C) and Minneapolis (Minikahda). It's played each year as a home and home with cocktails and a draft the first night and a big dinner with wives the last evening. It was always a fun event and was a way for me to get to know the course at Minikahda as well as the membership better. Overall, Minikahda is a terrific club and it is always a pleasure to spend a day playing golf there.

I am selfishly looking forward to seeing what the club and Kyle Franz plan to do to the course next summer. I have heard rumors of significant tree removal and some features including a shared fairway between 1 and 18. That could be really cool. Whatever they do I really hope they take all the trees out behind the 18th green...that has the potential to be an unreal skyline green!

[Dan Kelly]

The really good holes at Minikahda are the 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 13th, and 17th.

Brian --

This is interesting to me, as an indicator of how differently people see things -- and as one of many indicators of why, IMO, ranking courses is a bad idea. (Thread to follow, when this one concludes).

Ask me to list my favorite six holes at Minikahda, and the 6th, 8th and 13th don't make the list; 6 and 8 don't even come close. Mine are:

3rd

5th

9th

10th

11th

12th

FWIW.

Dan

Well, seeing as how you didn’t participate in the rankings, then it’s a moot point, right?
🤔

Brian —


All of everyone’s points are moot points!


I am always happy to discuss/debate the virtues and vices of any course — just not to rank them.


Dan

[John Crowley]

Every person who plays Minikahda has to experience the fear of the opening tee shot.  The parking lot is filled with nice cars parked right of the fairway.  As someone who has a right-by-right block as a regular part of his arsenal, there have been times that the parking lot seemed a more likely landing spot for my opening tee shot than the golf course.

Minikahda was my first exposure to a golden age course renovation and Ron Prichard's work opened my eyes to how much a course could be improved without eliminating its essential character. 


The only weak hole I can identify on the course is the 18th.  It is a straight 360 yard hole.  Every other hole has at least an interesting feature.  Some identify holes 15-17 across the street as weak.  I am sure I have done so at times.  Thinking more about it, I think that view is mistaken.  The land is less interesting over there than it is on the rest of the course but as I go through it each hole is beautiful, presents optional lines off the tee and has a very interesting green.  It is hard to see how such holes could be considered weak.

Right Jason,
For me Minikahda went from a course that did not inspire me to one that I enthusiastically accept all invitations to play after Ron's work was completed. Superintendent Jeff Johnson has done an excellent job helping implement and maintaining Ron's restoration work.


15-17 are well designed and fun to play. Perhaps because they are relatively short they are termed "weak" while IMO they are fundamentally good architecture.
John

[V_Halyard]

Every person who plays Minikahda has to experience the fear of the opening tee shot.  The parking lot is filled with nice cars parked right of the fairway.  As someone who has a right-by-right block as a regular part of his arsenal, there have been times that the parking lot seemed a more likely landing spot for my opening tee shot than the golf course.

Visited/Played during our Ron Prichard Course tour and was almost frozen with fear. 
Hooked it.
Sighed with relief and made par.
When I learned the history, I chuckled that the finishing holes were probably configured in protest of the Town and Country Final Four marathon. "We're sure as hell not doing THAT again..."

[Sean_A]

Thanks Pat...this to me is by far the most interesting looking course presented to date.  I suspect the trees are highlighted for photography purposes, but the course does look tight.  I will say though, many of the trees look terrific and it will be a tough job deciding which should go!  Interestingly, it does look like the club does a good job of keeping the rough in check under the canopy...is this the case?  If I were a club member I would seriously jacked to have Franz coming along to do some work!

Ciao

[Dan Kelly]

the course does look tight.  I will say though, many of the trees look terrific and it will be a tough job deciding which should go!

There are a few tight spots, but the course overall is not.


It was a forest when I was in high school, almost 50 years ago -- unplayably tight, for me, then. THOUSANDS of trees came down since then.

[PCCraig]

Thanks Pat...this to me is by far the most interesting looking course presented to date.  I suspect the trees are highlighted for photography purposes, but the course does look tight.  I will say though, many of the trees look terrific and it will be a tough job deciding which should go!  Interestingly, it does look like the club does a good job of keeping the rough in check under the canopy...is this the case?  If I were a club member I would seriously jacked to have Franz coming along to do some work!

Ciao

Sean,


The photos I posted accentuate the trees quite a bit. I believe when Ron did his renovation ~17 years ago a huge number of trees were removed. The course is scheduled to be regrassed with all bent grass and for it to thrive they will have to take out a considerable number of trees around the putting surfaces.


Just curious, why do you find Minikahda the most interesting looking course presented to date?

[Rick Shefchik]

the course does look tight.  I will say though, many of the trees look terrific and it will be a tough job deciding which should go!

There are a few tight spots, but the course overall is not.


It was a forest when I was in high school, almost 50 years ago -- unplayably tight, for me, then. THOUSANDS of trees came down since then.

I will echo Dan's point about Minikahda's former life as an arboretum: I first played it in the summer of 1970, as the second half of a Hazeltine-Minikahda doubleheader. Coming from the morning round at Hazeltine, where the trees were still young and not much of a factor, I found Minikahda the most claustrophobic golf experience I'd ever had. It is far more open now, all to the better.

[Lou_Duran]

Minikahda was the third course I played in MN, over 45 years later than the first two (3-M and Keller).  It was on an ideal early spring afternoon with an amiable companion who was familiar with the course.  Played poorly, but thoroughly enjoyed the course and the club.

I concur with the suggestion that course ratings are difficult because we all seem to have very different preferences.  For example, I found the closing stretch challenging (6 on 18 with a bad drive left and three putts).  The course is tight and well-bunkered, but at 6800 yards, it probably should be.  As I recall, the main issues I had dealt with the routing, with walks back to tees likely sited later in its history to add yardage, and over a busy road to get to three of the closing holes.

Nevertheless, if I was a young man living nearby, I'd be getting on the waiting list ASAP.  IMO, it is an ideal club course to grow old playing regularly.  I do hope to visit MN again in the future and will use this fine list as a guide.  Thanks to all.

[Sean_A]

Thanks Pat...this to me is by far the most interesting looking course presented to date.  I suspect the trees are highlighted for photography purposes, but the course does look tight.  I will say though, many of the trees look terrific and it will be a tough job deciding which should go!  Interestingly, it does look like the club does a good job of keeping the rough in check under the canopy...is this the case?  If I were a club member I would seriously jacked to have Franz coming along to do some work!

Ciao

Sean,


The photos I posted accentuate the trees quite a bit. I believe when Ron did his renovation ~17 years ago a huge number of trees were removed. The course is scheduled to be regrassed with all bent grass and for it to thrive they will have to take out a considerable number of trees around the putting surfaces.


Just curious, why do you find Minikahda the most interesting looking course presented to date?

Pat


I think the removal of more trees will be a good thing. 

I really like how the greens look grade level in the front, but are built up in the rear.  These sort of greens are often difficult to figure out the slope (which it looks like the greens rely on rather than contour) and often times the elevation change.  Plus, the shape can be manufactured in a pleasing manner yet offer severe options for hole locations.  The variety too looks interesting with some obviously built up greens.  The bunkering looks good, maybe a bit too much, hard to tell from "pretty pix". Though I like the grass down style which serves to play down the visual impact (good for parkland imo), yet not totally.  The course looks pleasing to my eye in how the greens workwith the surrounding land which looks to be pleasantly/mildy hilly.  There are a lot of good looking trees....the downside of that is less recovery options which is a pity when slope plays a factor. I am not saying the course looks to be something which would make me jump on a plane, but one which I would seek out if heading in that direction. I guess much would depend on how the course sits in town...meaning are roads an issue, is there a connection between the course and lake etc and the walk.

Ciao     

[Rick Shefchik]

Sean, 120 years ago there was a connection between the course and the lake. Most players took a ferry boat across Lake Calhoun from the end of the streetcar line to get to the course, and walked up a steep set of stairs to the clubhouse. There was a club boathouse on the lake, and sailing was a big part of the club's recreational offering. After sailing ceased to be a draw, the club gave their shoreline to the city, and now a parkway runs between the lake and the elevated club property.

Back then, Minikahda was considered on the fringes of Minneapolis -- the property having been a failed housing development. By the early 1950s, the club was considered so inner-city that member Tot Heffelfinger tried to convince Minikahda to build a second course out in the southwest countryside that could host another U.S. Open. The members passed on the idea, so Tot went ahead with a group of investors and built Hazeltine by himself.

Suffice to say that Minikahda is very much a city course, but the busiest roads nearby don't have much impact, except on #2 and #15, separated by Excelsior Blvd.

[Jim Nugent]

I guess much would depend on how the course sits in town...meaning are roads an issue, is there a connection between the course and lake etc and the walk.

Ciao   

I lived in Mpls in the late 1970s/early 1980s, and roller skated around Lake Calhoun probably 1000 times (literally).  I never knew a golf course was perched up above it.  Minikahda is hidden from view from the lake, which gets (or got back then) lots of traffic, from walkers, skaters, bicyclers, picnickers and cars.  I can't imagine the lake comes into play other than as a view.     

[Morgan Clawson]

One of the great strengths of Minikahada is that Ross and Prichard developed green sites that were very unique from one another due to bunkering and the elevation of the green relative to the surrounding area. 

As Sean noted, many of the greens are pushed-up.  The execution of the push-ups by Ross and Prichard from hole to hole is quite different.  Looking at the above photos above for holes 5, 11 and 12 you can see that the greens were built into the sides of slopes and the low side of the slope is pushed-up to make a flatter area for the green. Other greens are pushed-up all the way around, and some are at fairway grade.  Kyle Franz is continuing the strategy by using short grass vs. rough around some of the greens. 

When you combine the above features with terrific rolling terrain you have something special.

I really like the stretch of holes in the interior of the property: 4 - 14.  This stretch is really well designed, the land is the hilliest and the scenery is outstanding.

[PCCraig]

#3 - Northland Country Club, Duluth

The following introduction for the 3rd course on our list comes from Rick Shefchik, author of From Field to Fairways and whom grew up playing Northland CC:

I find it impossible to be objective about Northland Country Club. My parents first put a club in my hand there in the late ‘50s, and I have played hundreds of rounds at NCC in my life – but  never to the point where I’ve taken the course or the magnificent views of Lake Superior for granted.

The course had not changed significantly in the 50-plus years that I’ve known it, give or take some fairway bunkering on numbers 4, 16 and 18, and a lot of excellent tree removal undertaken by then-superintendent Chris Tritibaugh a few years back. Over the years I played there, the Donald Ross greens were essentially untouched – and what a tremendous set of greens they are. Lake Superior, situated less than a half-mile from the clubhouse, profoundly affects the break on almost every putt, to the point where there is an unofficial yet cherished diagram known as “The clock” shared by players visiting from the Twin Cities. It represents each green as a clock face, indicating the fall line as hands on the clock face. Without it, newcomers are simply baffled by putts that seem to break uphill or in the wrong direction, especially on holes where Lake Superior is not visible. Even with “The Clock,” the mostly round, tilted greens are exercises in geometry: how high must you aim to get a putt to slow down somewhere near the hole?

Fortunately, the lake is visible on all but five holes, creating a visual treat that rivals some seaside courses. Even if you don’t enjoy the golf course – and some find it too hilly, too soft, too firm, too weather-influenced or just too different – you’ll never forget the sights.

The course was established in 1899 by local businessmen, expanded to 18 holes in 1914 (Tom Bendelow was a visitor and could have been involved, though no records exist) and almost totally redesigned by Ross beginning in 1923. The club bought a large parcel of land on the bluffs above the existing property, abandoned the holes on the lower side of Superior Street and had Ross design new holes up the hill. It’s a steep climb up #2 and #3, and again up to the highest point of the course (and farthest point from the clubhouse) on the 11th tee, but the views and the golf are worth it. When the course is playing as it should – and keep in mind, Duluth has some of the worst and most unpredictable weather in the lower 48 – it’s a firm-and-fast dream, beginning on the first hole, where the proper approach shot lands ten or fifteen yards short of the green and releases to the hole. The same can be said of holes 9, 11, 13, 14 and 15; though high approaches with lots of spin work as well at Northland as they do at almost any course, there are usually other ways to play here. Only the par-3 fifth prevents a run-up shot with fronting bunkers, while holes 3, 10 and 18 reject short approaches because of steep fairway falloffs in front of the greens.

Even the holes that seem least interesting from the tee have green complexes that either make getting up-and-down or two-putting a significant accomplishment (#6) or almost overwhelm you with their beauty (#13.) The back nine begins with one of the state’s toughest par 4s, an uphill dogleg right, and ends with a par 4 that demands a long approach over a deep valley to a green that could present you with a putt that breaks 25 feet. On either, you’d be proud to write a 4 on the scorecard.

Northland is off the beaten path, but few who make the effort to see it and play it regret the effort.

The following pictures were sent by Jake Ryan, Superintendent at Northland Country Club:

The 418 yard par-4 1st:

The 147 yard par-3 5th:

A view from the tee at the 410 yard par-4 7th:

The skyline green at the difficult 10th:

Looking back at the 12th green, with the 6th and 13th greens in the distance:

The 13th green with Lake Superior in the background:

A close up of the 14th green shows the incredible movement in the Donald Ross designed putting surfaces:

The unbelievable view from the 15th tee:

At the bottom of the slope, the par-3 17th:

Coming into the par-4 18th:

[Jason Topp]

Pasatiempo is a good comparison to Northland.  Both sit on significant side-slopes which give a person fits on the greens. Both are pleasant walks despite the terrain.  Both can be enjoyed by any level of player.

The holes at Northland are more straightforward.  The greens are far less complex.  The bunkers are less beautiful but rugged in their own way. 

Nonetheless, the views at Northland are far superior to the views at Pasatiempo. Two locals who I greatly respect list Northland as their favorite course in the state.   I am not sure I can go that far but I have cherished my opportunities to play there. 


 

[Dan Kelly]

Northland is very, very fine. Until I walked Kapalua plantation 10 days ago, it was easily the most topographically interesting golf course I’d seen. Go to play there if you ever get the chance.


The first time I got to play it, with Rick, I happened to read the greens very well. Rick was astonished. He said he had never seen a first-time player get so many putts right.


That was a fluke. Ever since then, whenever I’ve played Northland, I have had at least one embarrassing putt. In a state senior amateur up there a few years ago, I hit it to the back of the 11th green. The pin was down in front. I planned for the putt to break 5 feet; it must’ve broken 20 — toward Lake Superior, of course.


I think number 10 is without a doubt the hardest par-4 I have playedin Minnesota. I will spare you the details of the nine I made there.

[Jim Franklin]

Northland was a last minute substitute on a trip for me nearly 10 years ago. I had zero expectations going into the round and walked off elated. It was brown and firm and as fun as any round I have played. I was floored at how good it was and was trying to figure out why I had heard nothing about this place. I have to thank the old pro at White Bear for not letting me play there and to Jeff Shelman who showed me the light.

[Rick Shefchik]

I think number 10 is without a doubt the hardest par-4 I have playedin Minnesota. I will spare you the details of the nine I made there.

Our friend Paul Weatherby tells a hilarious story about winning the hole with 9 or 10 in a long-ago Northland Invitational match. Those who know the hole understand how easily that could happen.

[Chris Tritabaugh]

I'm pretty proud to have been a small part of Northland's history. I started in 2007 and while the architecture was more or less in place, the course suffered from years of over-management. The work we did while I was there is well documented, both on this site and on the blog I wrote during the time. Northland's current superintendent, Jake Ryan-who I noticed listed as the newest member of this site when I logged in-was my assistant during my time there and has carried on and expanded on what we did while I was there. I'm quite proud of both Jake's work and the fact the Club has gone on to embrace the tree removal and change in maintenance.


As Rick said, Duluth has a very rugged climate, and Northland sits on a very rugged piece of property. The soil-what little bit there is-is terrible for a golf course, the irrigation system is now 40+ years old, and the maintenance budget is 1/3 to 1/2 of most of the courses on this list. The turf conditions, when the weather is just right are awesome. When the weather is difficult, the conditions can become a little bit scrappy. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder when it comes to the conditions at Northland. Since leaving I've had Hazeltine members come back from a round and ask; "what's wrong with their turf?" I've also had the pleasure of playing a brown and crusty round with a long time Hazeltine member, someone who's seen it all in golf. It was the first time he'd played NCC in years. When we walked up on the first tee; he proclaimed; "well isn't this fantastic!" Another Hazeltine member affectionately calls NCC "wonderfully ratty." I agree, it is. The surfaces, just as they had "evolved" from years of over-management, have now beautifully evolved from 10+ years of proper management. When dry, the course has a wonderful tawny appearance, much like the great heathland courses in the UK. It would be very reasonable, even in a dry season for the fairways to require no irrigation; something pretty standard in the UK, but not so much here. 


We took a lot of trees down during my time. It wasn't always popular, but the course improved dramatically. We also engaged Ron Prichard, who put together an MP. Getting to know Ron was a distinct pleasure and will always be a highlight of my career. Since I left and Jake has taken over, the membership has gotten more aggressive with tree removal. The sweep up 2&3 and down 15&16 is now virtually void of trees, just as it should be. The skyline approach to 10 is another area in which a lot of trees were removed.


In the fall of 2015, the Club, implemented four holes from Ron's plan. Tyler Rae worked with Jake and his crew to put in new bunkers on 1, 5, 17 and 18. The photos of those holes above show this work. With Ron's guidance, Tyler shaved off all the fat and left wonderful rough, sinewy features. Putting surfaces were expanded to the edges of the fill pad, and the results are just awesome. I believe the work was privately funded, so just whether or not the rest of the work takes place seems to be up in the air. Hopefully Jake will offer some further commentary on that work.   


I'm going to make a bold statement-especially given the depth of golf course knowledge reading these posts-I'd wager Northland is one of the top 25 marriages of quality golf course and spectacular settings, in the world. It doesn't need to be debated, but both the course and the setting would be of exceptionally high quality, even if the other was complete crap. As an example of this, the holes furthest from the lake probably sit on the best land. 7-12 sit on spectacular property, but are well away from the lake. Some courses have spectacular scenery, but aren't worth being paid to play golf on. Others, Chicago Golf Club come to mind, are wonderful courses on unspectacular property.


IMO, Northland and Hazeltine are the two most difficult golf courses in Minnesota, but in two very different ways. I've describe it like this; Hazeltine is like being killed by the infantry. They are coming, you know they are coming, but there is no way to stop them. Northland is like being killed by the CIA; you're out having a very enjoyable day and suddenly, without a clue you're dead. You can play Northland, hit the ball wonderfully and when you add up the card, you've shot 90, and probably never had so much fun doing so. This is mostly owing to the greens, and the difficulty in figuring out what the hell is going on.


Its easier for me to say which holes I don't enjoy-8 and 11-than it is to tell you my favorites. Both 8 and 11 sit on nice ground, but 8 is a long par 3, which is personal dislike, and 11 has a pond across the hole at a very awkward distance. Good holes, but not IMO close to the quality of the rest. 


 

[Chris Tritabaugh]

Northland is very, very fine. Until I walked Kapalua plantation 10 days ago, it was easily the most topographically interesting golf course I’d seen. Go to play there if you ever get the chance.

That was a fluke. Ever since then, whenever I’ve played Northland, I have had at least one embarrassing putt. In a state senior amateur up there a few years ago, I hit it to the back of the 11th green. The pin was down in front. I planned for the putt to break 5 feet; it must’ve broken 20 — toward Lake Superior, of course.

Interestingly, after playing Kapalua in 2012, I thought the same thing. I did some investigating and it turns out, the elevation above Lake Superior at the bottom and the top is nearly the same as the elevation from the Pacific at the bottom and top of Kapalua. Both courses have about 300' of elevation change from bottom to top.


I remember that Senior Am very well. It was my last summer up there. There were more than a few people who had similar trouble.

[John Crowley]

I am convinced that D. J. Ross of Dornoch felt more at home at Northland than any other U.S. course he designed! (I have not seen Seminole.)

[John Crowley]

The transformation of the 13th cannot be overstated.


Chris can correct me if I am wrong, but he started to gradually remove conifers blocking the view of Superior. With Ron’s MP he was then freed to wipe them out and open one of the best (of many) vistas on the course.

[John Crowley]

The improvements at Northland (and at Hazeltine) were substantially enabled by Chris. He is an excellent communicator and has effectively “educated” the membership of both clubs.


He started his “turf blog” at Northland and has continued it at Hazeltine. It has to be one of the very best ongoing communication vehicles of any Superintendent in the business.

[Chris Tritabaugh]

The improvements at Northland (and at Hazeltine) were substantially enabled by Chris. He is an excellent communicator and has effectively “educated” the membership of both clubs.


He started his “turf blog” at Northland and has continued it at Hazeltine. It has to be one of the very best ongoing communication vehicles of any Superintendent in the business.

Very kind words John, thank you.

The transformation of the 13th cannot be overstated.


Chris can correct me if I am wrong, but he started to gradually remove conifers blocking the view of Superior. With Ron’s MP he was then freed to wipe them out and open one of the best (of many) vistas on the course.

This is my third attempt to reply to John's post. I tried to post a picture, which apparently is not so easily done.


Here is a link to a post with some photos of what 13 looked like when I arrived.


http://northlandgrounds.blogspot.com/2008/09/new-13th-hole.html


Over the years, even the rock outcropping behind the green was removed, in order to provide the true infinity look, you see in the photos posted above. The bulk of the tree work in this area was done before I arrived. I'm told before it was done, the walk from 13 green to 14 tee provided almost no view of Lake Superior. Amazing given this is one of the best vistas in Duluth.


Since I've left, Jake Ryan, with the support of the Club has continued the excellent tree work. Much of trees on the interior have come down and the vistas have continued to increase. The view from 12 green, across 6 and down 13 is thanks to removal Jake did behind 6 green, and between the 6th and 13th.


Funny story-When Ron was doing his plan, he asked me to mark up a map with all the trees I would recommend removing. The map was neatly folded into many small sections. As I marked, I would fold and unfold, always working on small sections at one time. When I finished, I opened it all up to see that I'd marked every tree on the interior of the course. I sent the map back to Ron with a note saying-"let's keep this one between you and I."


The other item Jake has beautifully implemented is the widening of the fairways. I believe we sprayed 25 acres of fairway turf when I was up there, compared to 40(?) acres today. On the second hole, the bunker that used to be the right hand fairway bunker, now sits nearly in the middle of the fairway! I'd would move, if the Prichard plan is implemented.

[V_Halyard]

I'm going to make a bold statement-especially given the depth of golf course knowledge reading these posts-I'd wager Northland is one of the top 25 marriages of quality golf course and spectacular settings, in the world.

Chris, I would echo your thoughs with one addition. I would add "Potentially". The trees and surrounds continue to improve and I think Northland is probably one of the top "sleepers" in the world. Sounds like they are on a path with Ron and Tyler to further unleash the geinus of that property. "Hey, is that the Edmund Fitzgerald?"
The struggle with the "turf" is one I have no idea how to attack as a non-architect. Truckloads of sand for topdressing? 

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