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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Jay Flemma on July 01, 2009, 11:27:10 AM

Title: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jay Flemma on July 01, 2009, 11:27:10 AM: Aside from having a cool sounding name, and being a Ross design (that's right isn't it?) I hear that people like this course a great deal as really fun.

can we discuss this one? get some pix? Talk about some holes?

Thanks.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Tom_Doak on July 01, 2009, 11:42:21 AM: Jay:

It is a Ross course, although they don't have much record of Ross ever spending time there. Whoever built it, built some of the wildest greens I have ever seen on a Ross course.

The property has a bunch of 15- to 20-foot ridges running across it, so there is the potential for lots of blind or semi-blind shots if you don't drive the ball solidly. (The approach to the par-5 9th green and the tee shot to the 18th are completely blind, no matter how you slice it, and I suspect that holds the course back in some people's eyes.) It was way overplanted with trees 30 years ago and we have had a bit of success getting them to cut it back, but they still block some great views across the property.

The club guest policy is pretty strict about playing with a member [they wouldn't even let their consultant go out and play by himself], and I suspect that's why you don't hear more about it ... not many outsiders get to play it. And sadly for access seekers, there is no WBYC member on GCA.com.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: PCCraig on July 01, 2009, 11:47:24 AM: Where is it?
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: David_Tepper on July 01, 2009, 11:58:57 AM: Near Minneapolis/St. Paul

http://www.wbyc.com/
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jason Topp on July 01, 2009, 11:59:41 AM: I have never played it. There is an Evans Scholar 7 club fundraiser (in honor of Chick Rvans' use of 7 clubs to win the US Open at Minnekahda) there on August 3 that if three others are interested in ponying up $250 to play, I would love to play.

Here are some results from my search for threads and a link to a map that can be converted to an aerial.

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,3098.msg60325/topicseen/

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,29059.msg560719/topicseen/

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,1866.msg36116/topicseen/

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,18487.msg327965/topicseen/

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=white+bear+yacht+club&near=Minneapolis,+MN&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&ei=U4ZLSvz0IIaINNjy7aIB&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&resnum=4
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jim Franklin on July 01, 2009, 12:08:02 PM: I know two GCAers that played it and were treated like common criminals. I understand that pro is now gone though although I am not 100% sure. That pro told me I could play one day and when I called on my way there, he decided I couldn't play. There are certain ways to treat people and that guy is/was/will always be an ahole in my book.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Tommy Williamsen on July 01, 2009, 12:08:15 PM: White Bear Yaact Like is on a Lake outside St. Paul, MN. Echoing Tom's sentiments, they do have some of the most iinteresting greens I have seen. Some of them are pretty severe. I doesn't play long but the shots into the green are intimidating and demandinmg. There is a good mixture of long and short par fours. There are a few blind tee shots and the bunkering did not stand out for me. the par threes are superb and it is fun to to hit across roads.The clubhouse is on the lake and is pretty special in itself. There is also a smaller clubhouse at the course across the street from the lake. If I had my choice of clubs to join WBYC would be in my top te. It is a greata place to spend a few days.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: K. Krahenbuhl on July 01, 2009, 12:09:14 PM: Quote from: Jason Topp on July 01, 2009, 11:59:41 AM
I have never played it. There is an Evans Scholar 7 club fundraiser (in honor of Chick Rvans' use of 7 clubs to win the US Open at Minnekahda) there on August 3 that if three others are interested in ponying up $250 to play, I would love to play.

I've never played the course, but a friend played it recently in a collegiate event and loved the place. I can vouch for the Evans Scholar events (which are well run and benefit a great cause). If you are going to be in the area at the time I would definitely think you should check it out.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Tom_Doak on July 01, 2009, 12:11:46 PM: Jim F:

What exactly was your entree to play the course to begin with? That you'd talked the same pro into it? (And, on what basis?)

There have got to be at least two common criminals on GCA.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jim Franklin on July 01, 2009, 12:18:04 PM: Tom -

A friend of mine has a good friend that is a member there and he suggested I call the pro. I was in Minnesota on business and called the pro about playing. He said I couldn't play one day but the next was okay. So I called him on my way to see if it was still okay and he changed his mind. I thought it was a BS move as I changed my plans to play there. There are certain ways to treat people. Maybe that's me, but I wouldn't do that to someone.

And I am sure there are more than a few common criminals here, but the aforementioned two are definitely among the good guys here.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jay Flemma on July 01, 2009, 12:44:31 PM: Quote from: Tom_Doak on July 01, 2009, 11:42:21 AM
Jay:

It is a Ross course, although they don't have much record of Ross ever spending time there. Whoever built it, built some of the wildest greens I have ever seen on a Ross course.

The property has a bunch of 15- to 20-foot ridges running across it, so there is the potential for lots of blind or semi-blind shots if you don't drive the ball solidly. (The approach to the par-5 9th green and the tee shot to the 18th are completely blind, no matter how you slice it...

Wow, that sounds right up my alley!

I'll check the links in a minute...

I'm sorry to hear about people having hassles getting on and even more about treatment being dodgy, but sometimes that happens and maybe if they ran into different people, the experience might have been different.

Tommy W, I also like what you said about how a course doesn't have to be long to be challenging if the approaches and greens are tough.

can we get some pics maybe?
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: J_ Crisham on July 01, 2009, 09:01:11 PM: Gentlemen, I shall post some pictures after my round next month at WBYC. I understand the 5th hole is generally regarded as one of the best holes in the Midwest. As Kyle K. ,mentioned the Evans Scholar events are fun and well run. I try to play in 3 or 4 each summer at different venues. The WBYC Evans event in August is closed to outside play as it already has a full field. Will post some pics from Minikahda, Interlachen, Wyndsong Farms, WBYC, and possibly Hazeltine.
Jack
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jordan Wall on July 01, 2009, 09:54:17 PM: I encourage all who can to support the Evans Scholarship.

It's nice to hear clubs like White Bear Yacht support it as well. It is such a wonderful cause.

Cheers,
Jordan
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: John_Conley on July 01, 2009, 10:14:46 PM: Excellent golf course on a very rugged site. It has what I'd call 'roller coaster' fairways where you might drive into a hill and lose your roll or clear the top and catch a big runner.

Sorry to hear about a bad experience there. I'm not sure what pressures the pro was under, but it sure doesn't sound like a conspiracy to ruin your day.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jeff_Brauer on July 01, 2009, 11:32:25 PM: Never played it, but they were most hospitable on my three requests to tour it with staff, contractors, etc. I have an aerial pic of the course in my bedroom, because I liked it so much.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: John_Conley on July 02, 2009, 12:18:03 AM: Quote from: Jeff_Brauer on July 01, 2009, 11:32:25 PM
Never played it, but they were most hospitable on my three requests to tour it with staff, contractors, etc.

Yes, but you're Jeff Brauer.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jay Flemma on July 02, 2009, 10:34:24 AM: Jeff, any chance we could see the aerial? Is there on on-line? We have no photos on any thread.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jason Topp on July 02, 2009, 10:41:34 AM: Quote from: Jay Flemma on July 02, 2009, 10:34:24 AM
Jeff, any chance we could see the aerial? Is there on on-line? We have no photos on any thread.

Jay - the last link in my reply 4 is an aerial
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: K. Krahenbuhl on July 02, 2009, 10:43:14 AM: http://www.linksmagazine.com/golf_courses/united_states/minnesota/white_bear_yacht_club_golf_course_donald_ross.aspx
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Charlie Goerges on July 02, 2009, 10:44:29 AM: Here is a link to a WBYC photo gallery:

http://golfing.mn/wpg2?g2_itemId=21433

On that same site are photos of Hazeltine and other MN golf courses.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Dan Kelly on July 02, 2009, 10:46:06 AM: Quote from: Jeff_Brauer on July 01, 2009, 11:32:25 PM
I have an aerial pic of the course in my bedroom....

In your bedroom, huh? Hmmmmmmmm...
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: scott_wood on July 02, 2009, 11:03:06 AM: my bedroom pic is Pac Dunes ..back to back 3's framed by fescues with the wild oceean beyond.....great diversion/inspiration...
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: John Mayhugh on July 02, 2009, 11:15:20 AM: Quote from: Jay Flemma on July 02, 2009, 10:34:24 AM
Jeff, any chance we could see the aerial? Is there on on-line? We have no photos on any thread.

Why not use google maps? The club's website has a google maps link on it (click on where are we) and it opens up an aerial map. You can zoom in and out all you want.

Or go to google earth.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Kalen Braley on July 02, 2009, 11:21:06 AM: C'mon guys...

All you have to do is ask me to post something up....I look for any and all excuses to open up Google Earth and toy around with it!! ;D
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jay Flemma on July 02, 2009, 06:25:35 PM: Wow. I got to check out the pix and they are wonderful. I love how it tumbles over the terrain up and down those folds in the land.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Chris_Blakely on July 02, 2009, 07:16:13 PM: What kind of documentation do they have that Ross was there? That does not look like any of the Ross courses I have played?

I know Willie Watson did work in the area around that time??? ::)
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: JC Urbina on July 02, 2009, 07:44:43 PM: Kalen

That is a newer picture of WBYC. I was at White Bear just a short time ago and they had just finished Hole # 8 and # 16 removing some bunkers added by another designer many years ago.. Also they had removed some trees on the ninth hole along the ridge. The views are getting better and the mowing lines are starting to make sense. They have a few bunkers left to restore and they have had some talk about the 13th hole and if the green belongs in the punchbowl which is adjacent to the present 13th green. All in All a very nice place to visit and play golf. Sorry to hear the negative comments, the staff has always been welcoming even to visitors that were playing while I was there.

Ron Whitten in his book "Golf Has Never Failed Me" lists WBYC as an add on 1912 and 1915.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Jay Flemma on July 02, 2009, 09:39:53 PM: Hey Jim...thank you for chiming in on the thread. Keep up the great work guys, it looks cool.
Title: Re: I hear great things about White Bear Yacht
Post by: Bruce Leland on July 04, 2009, 12:12:13 AM: WBYC would be considered by many as "too quirky" but I absolutely love the terrain, shot values and the use of the land. The green complexes are confounding and the approach shots demanding. It is one of my top 10 courses because one never tires of playing it and it is a great walk. The greens rival Northland as some of the most challenging you will ever play.