Play golf on Minnesota courses

Minnesota offers quality, affordable golf in everyfor "Best Golfing Value." www.whitefishgolf.com
nook and cranny. There's a bounty of beautifulOakcrest Golf Course, Roseau, $18/24.
courses across that state that offer fine golf atThis northern tier track has two distinct nines
very reasonable green fees.designed by Minnesota native and former PGA
Using the common denominators of excellentTour player Joel Goldstrand.
course conditions, golf challenge, nice clubhouseThe front of the course links style with wide open
facilities and green fees less than $40, here arespaces plus mounding and slick greens. The
some suggestions for the 2006 season, includingbackside is woody and tight along the Roseau
weekday/weekend green fees.River.
Northeast Wendigo, Grand Rapids, $25/30.www.oakcrestgolfcourse.com South Little Crow
Stay-and-play packages are available at theCountry Club, Spicer, $29/ 35. The Little Crow
on-site Wendigo Lodge, but daily green fees atLakes area surrounding Green Lake is a mecca
this fine course make it one of the best golffor outdoor recreation. The Willows, Lakes and
values in Minnesota.Pines nines at Little Crow Country Club deliver 27
The course is immaculate and features severalholes of enjoyable but challenging golf. The Willows
notable holes, particularly the par 3 seventh with ato Pines track has water in play on 12 of 18 holes
180-yard carry over a marsh to a triple-tieredand the Oaks nine is woodier with narrow
green. Casual and fine dining are available at thefairways. Its clubhouse affords a soothing,
Fairways Restaurant & Lounge in the beautiful logpanoramic and elevated view of sunsets over the
clubhouse.golf course.
www.wendigogolfclub.com Eagle Ridge, Coleraine,www.littlecrowgolf.com Summit Golf Club, Cannon
$30/34. This classic layout on the Iron RangeFalls, $37/40.
offers woods and water aplenty. Steep elevationGolf Digest's 2002 "Best New Affordable" course
changes also heighten the challenge and scenery,still lives up to that recognition. Layers of
and a nice clubhouse overlooks Trout Lake, whichlimestone are exposed by the crafting of
comes into play on several holes. The course'swaterfalls, bridges and tunnels that give this golf
large greens also provide a nice welcome forcourse its unique character. Significant elevation
approach shots. www.golfeagleridge.com Lakeviewchanges add more luster to the natural feel at the
National Golf Course, Two Harbors, $25. It's worthSummit. See the "kids play free" special on their
the green fee just to savor the views of Lakewebsite. www.summitgolfclub.com Cedar Valley
Superior from 14 of Lakeview National's 18 holes!Golf Course, Winona, $28/ 30. The beauty of the
This track is a perfect gateway golf round enbluffs and hills of southeast Minnesota come into
route to the muscular 27 holes at Superiorplay here. This attractive course, the
National at Lutsen. Speaking of muscular, pump upsouthernmost 18 on the south shore of the
for Lakeview National's 546-yard, par 5Mississippi River, has three nines: Trout's Run,
fourteenth hole.Treasure Island and the 3500-yard Green
www.lakeviewnationalgolfcourse.com Falls CountryMonster, each playing to a par 36.
Club, International Falls, $30. One of thewww.cedarvalleymn.com Willinger's, Northfield, $37
northernmost 18s in the state delivers an42. An affordable green fee at a course highly
excellent golf product. The Falls course bringsregarded by Golf Digest (4 1 stars "Best Places
water into play on 10 of 18 holes that traverseto Play"), Willinger's is a secluded and scenic golf
an aspen and pine forest. Just when you thinkramble among woods, wetlands and water
you've hit the home stretch you encounter waterhazards. This is championship golf at its best, with
hazards on six of seven finishing holes, aftera course rating and slope of 74.4/150 from the
which Mulligan's Grill & Bar beckons.tips! www.willingersgc.com Twin Cities Metro Keller
www.fallscc.com Northwest Territory Golf Club,Golf Course, Saint Paul, $31.
St. Cloud, $26/32.This hilly, tough but enjoyable course was once a
An impressive 12,000 square foot, lodge-stylestop on the PGA Tour, and retains this historic
clubhouse features dramatic views of a rolling golfaura. The neat, throwback clubhouse contains an
layout with wide fairways and gargantuan,extensive collection of photos and memorabilia
undulating greens. Lateral water hazards on sixfrom the 1930-1968 St. Paul Open. Sam Snead,
holes and challenging topography and elevationDoug Sanders and other golf greats played here,
changes make it a quality test of skills. This is aenhancing its reputation as a golf value.
premier golf experience for very affordable rates.www.ramseycountygolf.com Braemar Golf
www.territorygc.com Thumper Pond Golf Course,Course, Edina, $33.
Ottertail, $32 /42. Transplanting thousands ofLocated in an urban 500-acre parkland, Braemar
mature pine trees has created an impressiveboasts 27 holes of championship golf plus two
forest setting for Thumper Pond. Its 6600 yardsexecutive nines and extensive practice facilities.
of excellent golf in a resort atmosphere make itHighly rated by Golf Digest magazine, the
one of the state's better golf values. Holes windsecluded course is ten minutes from Minneapolis
through the man-made pine forest, and the par 5St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of
finishing hole is 501 yards from the Red PineAmerica.
Restaurant and Eagle View Lounge in thewww.ci.edina.mn.us Tanners Brook, Forest Lake,
clubhouse. The property also has an on-site$27/32.
Comfort Suites, which has great stay-and-playNorth of St. Paul, Tanner's Brook has wide
deals, the Serene Woods Spa and an indoorfairways, friendly rough and quick but large greens
water park.on a scenic track that is maintained like a private
www.thumperpond.com Whitefish Golf Course,country club. www.tannersbrook.com Baker
Pequot Lakes, $35 /45 ($38 twilight). Even withNational, Medina, $36. Just northwest of
the numerous resort courses in the BrainerdMinneapolis, Baker National is a natural golf
Lakes area, Whitefish still remains a must play. Itsexperience, with scenic vistas in a large park
18 holes thread through a Norway Pine forest andreserve. The front nine is relatively open with
are known to be among the most picturesque inLake Spurzem in view, and the back is a parkland
Minnesota.nine with tiered greens.
In 2001, Golf Digest awarded Whitefish four stars