Minnesota wrx's?

[jeffyjeffmn]

Divots, thanks for posting the link of the tour. I went through it and I have read the many articles online about the redesign. I am pretty jacked to get back and play the course. Looks pretty cool. I move from Arlington VA at the end of the month and will be returning to the twin cities once again. I keep moving away and keep coming back so something good must be back home. In all seriousness, I wholeheartedly believe that a municipality can own and operate a quality golf course as I have seen it first hand out here in VA. I have had the luxury of playing Laurel Hill quite a few times since moving out here to the DMV area and it is easily in my top ten courses. Affordable (for the DC area) and in awesome shape every time I play there. It hosted the Publinks last year and it plays like a bear if you aren't hitting it well. I look forward to getting back home and playing Keller. Cannot wait to see some pics on here and what others have to say.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='linkerpan' timestamp='1405807975' post='9737197']
So now we are 3. From what I hear we definitely need the 4th one to keep adequate pace as the tee time sheet if full of 4somes
[/quote]
Good to have ya aboard! See ya there. First day of actual tee sheet? I'm sure it will be a long round. But its to be expected with the newness and everyone trying to get acclimated and talking about the changes.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='jeffyjeffmn' timestamp='1405808934' post='9737265']
Divots, thanks for posting the link of the tour. I went through it and I have read the many articles online about the redesign. I am pretty jacked to get back and play the course. Looks pretty cool. I move from Arlington VA at the end of the month and will be returning to the twin cities once again. I keep moving away and keep coming back so something good must be back home. In all seriousness, I wholeheartedly believe that a municipality can own and operate a quality golf course as I have seen it first hand out here in VA. I have had the luxury of playing Laurel Hill quite a few times since moving out here to the DMV area and it is easily in my top ten courses. Affordable (for the DC area) and in awesome shape every time I play there. It hosted the Publinks last year and it plays like a bear if you aren't hitting it well. I look forward to getting back home and playing Keller. Cannot wait to see some pics on here and what others have to say.
[/quote]
I liked getting to hear the architect talk about it a bit too. I saw on GolfClubAtlas I believe its called he is also participating in a discussion about it there.
Too many trees planted over the years choked out a lot of the visible drama to the course and the playing lines. Can't wait to see it too. I LOVE how he emphasizes historical correctness and minimal changes. I just hope the grow-in went well and the course is ready for the traffic. No lack of rain (June records) but maybe too much? The Super stopped with the blog updates back in April. I'm sure he's been too swamped. Mark, pro from Manitou Ridge, I see got the head pro spot.

[simple36]

Nevermind, playing with the fam instead.

[asommers14]

[quote name='golfinguy978' timestamp='1297833657' post='2981598']
i'm from litchfield...ever hear of it? haha...spend the winters in palm springs..25 and golf all yr round
[/quote]

I have My parents grew up in Kimball I have played down in Litch a couple times

[mr_divots]

Great day yesterday at Keller! Took a few pics. Thanks to Ldubzzie21 for the invite, and Marzo for giving me the details on all the clubhouse food! We were silly and played the tips in the wind. 6,675 isn't all that long though.

Course grew in nicely overall. I think it will be interesting to see what different people think. Love the look with the trees scaled back.

Look alive out there, however. Lotta dangerous areas on this course to get beaned got worse with the tree removal. That did, however, allow for some recovery shots when missing fairways (oh, did I ever give it that test!)

 

 

Looking back to #2 tee.

 

Looking back #3

 

#4 Green. How about that pin? I went right over it. And DOWN the bank behind. Thought I'd give everyone a shot of the drop area. Know it. Love it.

 

From #5 green looking back toward #3

 

Looking down #8:

 

Looking back from #9 green (now a par 4.)

 

#10 now a par 5. From 2nd shot go for it range:

 

Marzo goes for it:

 

#12 from fairway (hey, the dusk mode setting is turned off my camera now!)

Looking back toward 12:

 

#13 from tee (yes! They moved the power lines out of the way!)

 

Looking back toward #14:

 

#15 from tee:

 

#16 Back Tees:

 

Looking back from #16 green:

 

#18 Green, clubhouse, Keller Lake in background:

[Bstein74]

I would have joined you guys, but glad I didn't. Had a super long install at work. Glad you guys had a great time though. I might need to make a trip out there before the season is over.

[NRJyzr]

Thanks for the pics and the update, Miguel. I was wondering how things went yesterday.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='NRJyzr' timestamp='1405957740' post='9749175']
Thanks for the pics and the update, Miguel. I was wondering how things went yesterday.
[/quote]
Course? Pretty good. My game? What game? #4 I took a double on and am now in the Gene Sarazan camp as being "worst hole ever." Went 40-41 for the day. Lone birdie on #13. My driving sucked rocks. Can't believe it. Time for time out for G25. Oof. Such a different yet totally familar look/feel. Not sure I'll ever experience that feeling on a course for the first time ever again. Very interesting.

Oh: $40 walking. $2.50 for a Coke. No water provided on course. Bring fluids. And the rough is deep right now. Made ball hunting a little more challenging. They put native grasses in places people are going to be in all the time. It was eerily not that busy yesterday for opening weekend.

[NRJyzr]

I feel your pain on the "what game?" part of your day. I've been really fighting it lately.

I even managed to burn my left hand Saturday night while reshafting an iron. It held up for 11 holes, at which point the skin on the palm tore and made the rest of my round.... [i]interesting[/i].

[mr_divots]

[quote name='NRJyzr' timestamp='1405958321' post='9749285']
I feel your pain on the "what game?" part of your day. Been really fighting it lately.

I even managed to burn my left hand Saturday night while reshafting an iron. It held up for 11 holes, at which point the skin on the palm tore and made the rest of my round.... [i]interesting[/i].
[/quote]
Whatever. I told you to lay off the internet porn!

[NRJyzr]

I'm old. I don't know what you're talking about lol

[linkerpan]

Because the course isn't too long and to avoid the slow patrons that are the customer base of this course I would recommend playing early in the morning. The course really needed this renewal. Visually holes like 1, 12 and 13 are way better than before.
Likes: Widened fairways, better collection areas, better shaped greens, fairer hazards, nice clubhouse. I think playing from the tips is visually more appealing. The sand in the traps is also good quality.
Dislikes: Even being a short course, is not walking friendly, as trails were set for carts, not walkers. The tight spacing between holes was not fixed on this renewal and many fairways and even tee boxes are in high possibility of being accessed by errant shots.
I am sure in next few weeks the in course service will get better (water, beverage cart) as will the driving range (at 12:30pm there was no one to sell balls, and the machine wasn't working).

The course is a much better course than before and I will happily play it again.

Divots and Luke were two excellent partners.

[rebby]

I'm so jealous! Really wish that I could have made it to Keller. I've always liked that course. Pictures are great, thanks for those.

[mr_divots]

I have to say that for how many cars were in the lot when I got there at 12:30, we never [i]really[/i] had any long waits out there. Better than expected for day two for sure. I was busy spraying it everywhere and taking pics, so I guess I lost track of how long it took. Seemed like about 4.25 hrs? Called the pro shop to tell them about the ball machine. I didn't realize they replaced the kid in the shack with a machine, no token in hand and a long walk back up. So I rounded up some balls from the range and hit it GREAT before the round. What happened? Virgin grass on a flat nice new range. That was NICE.
There are areas of the course now I literally won't even enter while people are teeing off. #3 green/#4 tee in particular.
Marzo was on his second 18 of the day. Keller is still a nice stroll in a park. I saw almost all of it.
They could use better walking paths. Feels like its set up for cart play. Still a very walkable of course. Maybe easier than before, in fact.
$40 green fee was not as bad as I thought, but no water out there? Really? Bev cart was not around enough on a hot day, and even she was driving through the native flower grass areas.

[turfmantim]

I was able to ride around the course with the superintendent this morning. Course looks fantastic. Can't wait to play it.

[JayLefty]

Anyone want to play on Monday 7/28 or Tuesday 7/29?

[turfmantim]

Where at what time?

[asommers14]

I am thinking of playing stoneridge either sunday or monday 8/3-8/4

[Joe85]

Only an hour and a half of coverage of the 3M on tv? That's unfortunate.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='Joe85' timestamp='1406914091' post='9833527']
Only an hour and a half of coverage of the 3M on tv? That's unfortunate.
[/quote]
Is this still a free event? Either I'm doing a fine job of largely ignoring the media or they haven't advertised as much this year?

[Bstein74]

Still free. Player, Palmer and Nicklaus will be in a group tomorrow at around noon. That's where I'll be!

[Joe85]

Still free, and the field is absolutely stacked.

[quote name='Bstein74' timestamp='1406915646' post='9833699']
Still free. Player, Palmer and Nicklaus will be in a group tomorrow at around noon. That's where I'll be!
[/quote]

Holy crap. Are you serious? That's an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm going to see if I can coerce pops into going out there for that.

The King signed my Keller scorecard years ago at the 3M. Nicest, most gracious athlete I've ever met.

[Bstein74]

Here's the story from the Star Tribune.

[url="http://www.startribune.com/sports/golf/263521381.html"]http://www.startribune.com/sports/golf/263521381.html[/url]

[Bstein74]

[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1406915462' post='9833677']
[quote name='Joe85' timestamp='1406914091' post='9833527']
Only an hour and a half of coverage of the 3M on tv? That's unfortunate.
[/quote]
Is this still a free event? Either I'm doing a fine job of largely ignoring the media or they haven't advertised as much this year?
[/quote]

You're right Divots, they really haven't advertised this tourney that much. I've heard no mention of Nicklaus at all on the TV or the radio.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='Bstein74' timestamp='1406922090' post='9834749']
Here's the story from the Star Tribune.

[url="http://www.startribune.com/sports/golf/263521381.html"]http://www.startribu.../263521381.html[/url]
[/quote]
Wow! Some great names mentioned. Would love to see Miguel Angel Jimenez play (or at least the warm up routine!) I might have to head up there tomorrow!

^^^ Yeah, a few years ago, billboards everywhere, Radio ads, etc. I think I've heard one radio ad this year.

[Bstein74]

MAJ isn't in the field this week unfortunately.

He didn't come for some reason.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='Bstein74' timestamp='1406923106' post='9834915']
MAJ isn't in the field this week unfortunately.

He didn't come for some reason.
[/quote]
Thanks. That's too bad. Definitely would have been a guy I'd like to see swing the club.

[Joe85]

[quote name='Bstein74' timestamp='1406922090' post='9834749']
Here's the story from the Star Tribune.

[url="http://www.startribune.com/sports/golf/263521381.html"]http://www.startribu.../263521381.html[/url]
[/quote]

That's something.

As far as advertising, I've seen a number of commercials on local TV that got me tuned in to the event.

[Bstein74]

Tried to get over to the 3M, but the line for parking was a nightmare. Would have taken an hour at least to park.