Ryder Cup Invasion! Minneapolis plans, tee times, etc...

[finleysg]

Nice call on The Jewel.

 

If you're coming up 61, then Mississippi National is worth considering as well. Very pretty.

 

Staying on the east side once you get to the Twin Cities, I'd consider pairing Keller and Phalen. Two pretty nice city courses within a few miles of each other.

[meaks17]

While not in the Twin Cities area, the best courses, cheapest green fees, and accommodations are to be found at resorts in Brainard and Biwabik.

 

At resorts you have the possibilities of renting condos which house up to 15 people, greatly reducing housing costs.

 

The highest rated public course in Minnesota, and only U S Top 100 public course in MN, according to Golf Digest is The Quarry@Giants Ridge at #30 in the U S.Greatest 100 Public/Resort Courses.

 

Also according to GD and The Golf Channel, the Top 100 Greatest Public in the U S with the lowest green fees is also The Quarry@Giants Ridge at around $62 -$89, depending on the season and tournament rates negotiated with pro shop, with a 2nd 18 "replay" at even cheater prices.

 

Giants Ridge is about 200 miles north of the Twin Cities, but has a second course, the Legend, also on the MN State Top 10 public list + 20 miles from the Wilderness@Fortune Bay with another Top 10 MN State public course.

 

Fortune Bay is, of course, a casino hotel.

 

Texsport

 

The Quarry at Giants Ridge is actually 1 of 3 Golf Digest Top 100 US Public Courses in Minnesota. The other two are The Wilderness at Fortune Bay and The Classic at Madden's Resort (Brainerd). In 2015 Top 100 US Public Course rankings from Golf Digest The Quarry was #25, The Wilderness was #57 and The Classic was #63.

 

Also, for anyone goes way up north to Giants Ridge and The Wilderness there isn't much to do (I made the mistake of taking my wife there for our anniversary, oops), but there is the US Hockey Hall of Fame to visit!

[st8kdinr]

Hadn't looked at this in awhile. List is coming together as we are going to do the June 25th weekend. I'll be calling on courses over the next week. Thanks again for all the recommendations and info. Awesome WRX community assistance! I'll list the finale when I'm done.

[st8kdinr]

Also, I try to get at least one links style course in, is there any that stand out to anyone. The more wide open layout tends to make it a little more fun for the higher handicappers in the group. I want to make sure I don't overlook any. Getting excited as now a few of the group are starting to badger me about details!

[finleysg]

The only course I know of in the cities that promotes itself as links style is the Links at Northfork on the northwest side. From the middle tees, this is sloped at 124. One of our company leagues plays an annual tournament there every year, and there are a lot of casual players. In general, there is room to hit the ball, but if you get too wild you will lose your ball in the 18 inch grass.

 

My own home course (Bunker Hills) is not links style, but the fairways are generous and the greens are big. Very playable for all abilities. The trees are all mature, so while you may not have a shot forward, you will almost always find your ball out there.

[Texsport]

While not in the Twin Cities area, the best courses, cheapest green fees, and accommodations are to be found at resorts in Brainard and Biwabik.

 

At resorts you have the possibilities of renting condos which house up to 15 people, greatly reducing housing costs.

 

The highest rated public course in Minnesota, and only U S Top 100 public course in MN, according to Golf Digest is The Quarry@Giants Ridge at #30 in the U S.Greatest 100 Public/Resort Courses.

 

Also according to GD and The Golf Channel, the Top 100 Greatest Public in the U S with the lowest green fees is also The Quarry@Giants Ridge at around $62 -$89, depending on the season and tournament rates negotiated with pro shop, with a 2nd 18 "replay" at even cheater prices.

 

Giants Ridge is about 200 miles north of the Twin Cities, but has a second course, the Legend, also on the MN State Top 10 public list + 20 miles from the Wilderness@Fortune Bay with another Top 10 MN State public course.

 

Fortune Bay is, of course, a casino hotel.

 

Texsport

 

The Quarry at Giants Ridge is actually 1 of 3 Golf Digest Top 100 US Public Courses in Minnesota. The other two are The Wilderness at Fortune Bay and The Classic at Madden's Resort (Brainerd). In 2015 Top 100 US Public Course rankings from Golf Digest The Quarry was #25, The Wilderness was #57 and The Classic was #63.

 

Also, for anyone goes way up north to Giants Ridge and The Wilderness there isn't much to do (I made the mistake of taking my wife there for our anniversary, oops), but there is the US Hockey Hall of Fame to visit!

 

Wow! So 2 Top 100 resort courses around Giants Ridge - The Quarry and the Wilderness.(about 20 miles away)

 

It kind of depends on what you want to do - play 36 holes a day or hit the night spots.

 

BTW - other golfing opportunities up north include Mesaba CC in Hibbing, The Legend@Giants Ridge(former Best New Resort Course in Golf Digest and in Top 100 Resort list previously). With a day trip, you can play the stunning Superior National GC in Lutsen - dramatic views of Lake Superior.

 

The scenery at Giants Ridge, rental boats, rental bikes, tennis, indoor and outdoor pools, and hiking are the other attractions up there - Hockey Hall of Fame, mine tours, and the resort town of Ely with Bear Center, International Wolf Center, and shopping are also within reach of the ladies.

 

One of the Bandon Dunes pros informed me that only 10% of their "guests" are women - all golf, all the time.

 

Texsport

[benkodi]

Also, I try to get at least one links style course in, is there any that stand out to anyone. The more wide open layout tends to make it a little more fun for the higher handicappers in the group. I want to make sure I don't overlook any. Getting excited as now a few of the group are starting to badger me about details!

 

Your best bet for a links style course would be Stoneridge. It plays relatively firm and it's pretty wide open.

[Billy__Baroo]

Also, I try to get at least one links style course in, is there any that stand out to anyone. The more wide open layout tends to make it a little more fun for the higher handicappers in the group. I want to make sure I don't overlook any. Getting excited as now a few of the group are starting to badger me about details!

 

Your best bet for a links style course would be Stoneridge. It plays relatively firm and it's pretty wide open.

 

What he said! Stoneridge is the best "links" style course in the cities with some of the truest greens around, but it's probably about twice as expensive as Northfork. If you guys can swing it, you should hit Stoneridge and then go to Troy Burne in Hudson, WI. From Stoneridge it's only a 15-20 minute drive, and it's an awesome course!

[BirdieRoll]

+1 on StoneRidge and TroyBurne for 36 if the budget/schedule allows. Two really fun tracks. Links at Northfork could be paired with Bunker Hills as they are just 15-20 minutes apart. Then you have the courses in the south/southwest metro you can put together for another 36.

[meaks17]

Also, I try to get at least one links style course in, is there any that stand out to anyone. The more wide open layout tends to make it a little more fun for the higher handicappers in the group. I want to make sure I don't overlook any. Getting excited as now a few of the group are starting to badger me about details!

 

Ridges at Sand Creek is split with 9 holes being links and 9 being wooded, but it's not as nice as StoneRidge. There are several courses that have somewhat of a links feel and are more wide open like The Meadows at Mystic Lake.

[st8kdinr]

Hey MN golfers!

 

Got the final 4 selected. Thanks a ton for your input, pretty excited and got the cost right around $450, so it worked out well. Right now we have 8 people planned, but in planning these for 7 years now, we've had some people drop so if you're interested in playing a day or all, PM me and we might be able to work something out. We've got a good core group of 4 of us that split into 2 teams, so we play to score, gamble on the first 18 and it's a 4 man scramble on the second 18, thus the reason for playing the same course twice. We've got a winner's trophy and the past couple years everyone on the losing team gets a loser's trophy.

 

6/23 - Edinburgh USA

6/24 - Stonebrooke

6/25 - Deer Run

6/26 - Mississippi Dunes

 

Extra thanks to whysguy for mentioning Tom at Deer Run and offering extra help! Truly a great community!

 

I'll try to keep you posted with photos and updates to our "cup" before you guys host the Ryder Cup, which I'm tentatively planning on attending as well! :D

[st8kdinr]

Really wanted to include Chaska and Willinger's but their schedule didn't allow, will have to be in the rotation next time.

 

Below is this year's "trailer" to get the guys excited!

 

[meaks17]

Stonebrooke is my home course, if you need an extra with some course knowledge let me know.

 

Also if you are into craft beer you can check out Badger Hill Brewery in Shakopee the day of your round at Stonebrooke and for your round at Deer Run there is a great bar called Floyd's in Victoria and a small craft brewery called Enki both just minutes from the course.

[whysguy]

Truly hope you enjoy your trip up here to the cities. You have a nice selection of courses scheduled. I had kinda forgotten about Stonebrooke. It is almost always in really nice condition and a track that offers you the opportunity to hit most every club in the bag. I find that a signal of a well designed course.

I will also second that if your day brings you near Floyd's, its a fun place. My best friend is the lead guy in a band that plays there (Magic 70's Sunshine Band) often and we always have fun there.

I hope Tom at Deer Run helps you enjoy your round. He is one of the nicest, accommodating, guys I know in the biz.

What part of town are you staying in?

You can get about as many recommendations for dine and drink as you did for courses.

 

I would love the opportunity to join in the in the festivities if my schedule allows. I am currently suppose to be in Milwaukee that week, but I'm aware there are ongoing complications that might push me back. I will know for sure in about a week or so and will update then.

 

Side note: I'm in Oklahoma City next week fooling around while my wife works daily. Have you any experience there as to where to play?

[st8kdinr]

Truly hope you enjoy your trip up here to the cities. You have a nice selection of courses scheduled. I had kinda forgotten about Stonebrooke. It is almost always in really nice condition and a track that offers you the opportunity to hit most every club in the bag. I find that a signal of a well designed course.

I will also second that if your day brings you near Floyd's, its a fun place. My best friend is the lead guy in a band that plays there (Magic 70's Sunshine Band) often and we always have fun there.

I hope Tom at Deer Run helps you enjoy your round. He is one of the nicest, accommodating, guys I know in the biz.

What part of town are you staying in?

You can get about as many recommendations for dine and drink as you did for courses.

 

I would love the opportunity to join in the in the festivities if my schedule allows. I am currently suppose to be in Milwaukee that week, but I'm aware there are ongoing complications that might push me back. I will know for sure in about a week or so and will update then.

 

Side note: I'm in Oklahoma City next week fooling around while my wife works daily. Have you any experience there as to where to play?

 

Thanks! We're staying in the Bloomington area the entire time. Also thanks to everyone for the bar/restaurant recommendations. We will definitely put those to good use!

 

As far as OK City, I've only played Silverhorn that's on the northern side I believe. I know there are some decent courses around there. Might warrant a GlolfWRX thread in that section and you can get a couple guys to golf with!

[whysguy]

Update for you guys.

Played Edinburgh yesterday and it was in great condition.

Played Deer Run last week and also darn near perfect.

Shaping up nicely for your trip!

[st8kdinr]

Update for you guys.

Played Edinburgh yesterday and it was in great condition.

Played Deer Run last week and also darn near perfect.

Shaping up nicely for your trip!

 

Thanks for the update whysguy! Still figuring out about playing on the way up on Wednesday, just gonna determine if we get an early enough start. Getting close only 3 weeks away, gotta get the golf game right fast!

[meaks17]

Stonebrooke's condition the past few years had kind of fallen off but I'm happy to report it is the best it has been in years, very happy with it this year.

[benkodi]

Update for you guys.

Played Edinburgh yesterday and it was in great condition.

Played Deer Run last week and also darn near perfect.

Shaping up nicely for your trip!

 

I played Deer Run about two weeks ago. The greens were painfully slow. Is that always the case?

[whysguy]

Played it again yesterday.

Nope, green were running around a 9.5 to 10. Medium speed, but nowhere near slow. And very smooth.

Played Bunker hills last week and greens were "bouncy", which sucks...

Only green at the Run with any issue was #4, and they parked the flag quite a ways from the bad area.

[whysguy]

Now this one is bit out of the norm..., but a 30 detour out of Des Moines, go play The Harvester in Rhodes, Iowa.

Great course. then 4.5 hours to the Twin Cities. Its half way, play and then the non-drivers can sleep on the balance of the drive.

Its my go-to for early season before the snow melt.

Just a thought for wanting to get a round in on drive day.

[st8kdinr]

Now this one is bit out of the norm..., but a 30 detour out of Des Moines, go play The Harvester in Rhodes, Iowa.

Great course. then 4.5 hours to the Twin Cities. Its half way, play and then the non-drivers can sleep on the balance of the drive.

Its my go-to for early season before the snow melt.

Just a thought for wanting to get a round in on drive day.

 

Totally agree! We played Harvester all day (about 56 holes) during one of our Des Moines trips a couple years ago. Great track, can be brutal if you're not swinging well!

[st8kdinr]

Alright gentlemen...we've had some attrition for our trip. My foursome is down to just a twosome. Any one interested in joining us? Thought I'd throw it out there since you guys have been so helpful. Just let me know.

[meaks17]

Alright gentlemen...we've had some attrition for our trip. My foursome is down to just a twosome. Any one interested in joining us? Thought I'd throw it out there since you guys have been so helpful. Just let me know.

 

I could join you for your round at Stonebrooke for sure and probably at Deer Run, I'll shoot you a PM.

[st8kdinr]

Alright gentlemen...we've had some attrition for our trip. My foursome is down to just a twosome. Any one interested in joining us? Thought I'd throw it out there since you guys have been so helpful. Just let me know.

 

I could join you for your round at Stonebrooke for sure and probably at Deer Run, I'll shoot you a PM.

 

Meaks17 is in for Friday and Saturday!! Gonna be a fun time!

[whysguy]

What are your tee times?

I might be i town and might be able to squeeze in a round or two, if you have room for a fourth.

[st8kdinr]

I'll try and post some updates during our outing, but very excited to get going! Last chance to join, as we've got one opening on Thursday at Edinburgh and Sunday at Mississippi Dunes. PM me if you're interested in joining up. First 18 are your own ball and second 18 is four man scramble at Edinburgh. HUGE Thanks again to you all for the help! I'm sure there will be plenty of drinks, laughs and good times! Hopefully our team will not get the loser trophies this year!! :king: :derisive:

[whysguy]

Sorry to have missed out on the festivities, but would love a re-cap/ update on your trip up here.?

[st8kdinr]

Sorry to have missed out on the festivities, but would love a re-cap/ update on your trip up here.?

 

Great trip in a great place! Big thanks to Miles for joining us for a couple days. Unfortunately the old guys took the trophy back but I blame the alcohol as our group had too much!

 

All courses were hospitable and in great shape. My least favorite was Mississippi Dunes just because I'm tired of the courses that strive to be difficult just to be difficult. Sloping, fast greens aren't needed at that with the drives and approach shots needed from the back couple tees. OK to play once but it didn't blow me away.

 

Coming up for the Ryder Cup at least through Thursday and trying to work out longer. May try to play, just haven't decided where or how close to the cities. Willing to meet up with anyone attending as well.

[pistolpete31]

Great list of courses here, I need to get out to many of them. Is there any good way to get on to any of the private clubs around? I know winning silent auctions is a good one but that can be pretty expensive.