Northern Minnesota - Giants Ridge/Fortune Bay - Greens?

[J4Camp]

We have our annual Father/Son trip up this way every year, and we are schedule to stay and play in September.

 

I am hearing harsh things about the winter kill on the greens at Giants Ridge. Anybody have any pics, or are they truly that bad?

[eboettne]

We have our annual Father/Son trip up this way every year, and we are schedule to stay and play in September.

 

I am hearing harsh things about the winter kill on the greens at Giants Ridge. Anybody have any pics, or are they truly that bad?

 

No pictures on GR but you can check out Fortune Bay's newsletter for The Wilderness update on course conditions. Superintendent is good about updating the status of the course.

 

https://www.golfthewilderness.com/news/newsletters

[J4Camp]

We have our annual Father/Son trip up this way every year, and we are schedule to stay and play in September.

 

I am hearing harsh things about the winter kill on the greens at Giants Ridge. Anybody have any pics, or are they truly that bad?

 

No pictures on GR but you can check out Fortune Bay's newsletter for The Wilderness update on course conditions. Superintendent is good about updating the status of the course.

 

https://www.golfthew...ews/newsletters

 

Thanks for the heads up.

 

I have heard Fortune Bay is not has bad as The Quarry or Legends, with Quarry being the worst of the 3.

 

Luckily we are doing The Legends twice before we head to The Wilderness. We've done The Quarry multiple times and enjoy Legends more.

 

Also playing Minnesota National on the way up.

[dingusflingers]

MN National is in fine shape, no kill there.

 

Had a tee time for both Giant's Ridge courses a month ago. Pro Shop called and basically said it's not worth it so we cancelled (props to them). Told us Quarry would be closed off. Went to Fortune Bay instead. Wilderness was hit and miss. Certainly not worth normal price but they're charging a reduced rate. I want to say 4-5 greens were pretty rough, untouched all year. A couple were basically half dead. It's really hard to enjoy a round of golf when some greens are normal and then you hit into a green which is essentially beat up fairway.

 

They're trying really hard to get it back going, and it might be pretty good by September. But I was not happy playing it in the shape it was. Nothing you can really do though.

[eboettne]

MN National is in fine shape, no kill there.

 

Had a tee time for both Giant's Ridge courses a month ago. Pro Shop called and basically said it's not worth it so we cancelled (props to them). Told us Quarry would be closed off. Went to Fortune Bay instead. Wilderness was hit and miss. Certainly not worth normal price but they're charging a reduced rate. I want to say 4-5 greens were pretty rough, untouched all year. A couple were basically half dead. It's really hard to enjoy a round of golf when some greens are normal and then you hit into a green which is essentially beat up fairway.

 

They're trying really hard to get it back going, and it might be pretty good by September. But I was not happy playing it in the shape it was. Nothing you can really do though.

 

In the Wilderness'(and maybe GR too) case I don't know if there's much more the superintendent could have done. I follow that newsletter pretty religiously and the guy seems to know his stuff. Just had a really long winter with a combination of a bad spring with melting and re-freezing while under the tarps. Props to GR for calling and telling you that though, I'm sure they earned loyalty for following years from a lot of people for being honest and upfront about it. But like you said, I'd rather pay the extra $20 and have it in prime condition, usually that course is impeccable this time of year.

[J4Camp]

Upping to see if anybody else has played lately. Trip for my group is in 3 weeks.

[MNGolfer307]

I see your post is a little old and you're likely there now. I played the Wilderness 3 weeks ago. Most was ok but 4-5 greens were in ruff shape. A few low spots on fairways were as well.

 

A group I know was heading to GR and were told from the staff to cancel it. (props to them for telling them ahead of time)

[J4Camp]

Ended up playing The Legends at Giants Ridge, The Wilderness, and Minnesota National. Also got In rounds at Whitefish Golf Club, The Pines At Grandview Lodge, and Ruttgers Course near Bay Lake.

 

Giants Ridge wasn’t great. I’ve played in 6-8 times previously, and this was the worst I’ve seen it. Certainly playable, but fairways were very wet and overall course was just blah. Couple holes were fine, but the greens definitely were not the best. I hear they may not have them recovered by next season.

 

The Wilderness was better, but like

You said, 4-5 of the greens were rough. I did shoot a 39 on the back 9 there, so that was nice.

 

Minnesota National is a great course. Was in the best shape of them all in my opinion.

[jlg214]

I've heard they made it through this past winter much better, but does anyone have a recent (June 2019) updates?

[BirdieRoll]

J4Camp - did you like the Ruttgers course? Good layout? I believe this course is now called Jack's 18.

[J4Camp]

> @BirdieRoll said:

> J4Camp - did you like the Ruttgers course? Good layout? I believe this course is now called Jack's 18.

 

Yes, it is now Jack's 18. I do enjoy this track as I have a buddy who has a family cabin right down the road. The greens are small and tricky, and plenty of blind approach shots.

 

Tough track but very fun course.