Troy Burne Golf Club – Friendly By Nature

By Tim Cotroneo

Have you ever played a round of golf that made you feel better about yourself? Troy Burne Golf Club, located 30-minutes east of St. Paul in Hudson, WI, has discovered a way of making golfers feel so welcome, the fact you’re playing on a world-class course is simply icing on the cake.

Customer service is an unspoken kindness that the staff at Troy Burne seems to live and breathe. From PGA Head Professional Dave Tentis, to Director of Retail Joe Zaputil, to every member of their grounds crew, there’s something instilled in the Troy Burne team that leaves a golfer feeling like he or she has an expanded circle of friends.

This pleasing sensation was especially evident on a spectacular 72-degree morning in mid-April. To play golf on a Tom Lehman signature course on a picture-perfect day was an almost guilty pleasure kind of round.

Satisfy your eyes and palate: Built on 225 rolling acres in 1999, Troy Burne’s reputation has long thrived on the golf return delivered by its unique stadium-links design. Golfers have reveled in the lushness that is trademark to the high-end tee boxes, fairways, and greens. What new owner Gary Sauer felt was missing were the dining and beverage possibilities that would match, or even exceed, what a guest enjoyed on the course.

In the second week of May, Troy Burne reveals it’s restaurant, bar, and private room renovations. As delightful as golfers will find these upgrades to be, the double-eagle of architectural makeovers comes in the form of a new wrap-around patio area sure to deliver spectacular views for your next meal, appetizer, or beverage.

New Executive Chef, Mark Wuotila, is jazzed about Troy Burne’s new dining and appetizer selections, as well as an expanded number of wine and beer offerings. The Troy Burne team is excited about how this new food and beverage ambiance will enhance the total golf experience.

The Lehman name for your business game: Troy Burne’s new construction will include a remodel to the Tom Lehman room, a great venue for those looking to mix business with pleasure. Whether combining a business meeting with golf, or if the goal is a beautiful get-away-from it-all setting, the Lehman room is the answer. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner amenities are yours for the asking.

If a corporate golf outing is on this summer’s agenda, then a retreat to Troy Burne is sure bet to “wow” your participants. The course has maintained a long-standing reputation as a great corporate or tournament destination. “Because we’ve arranged so many custom corporate situations over the years, we’ve become quite good at it. We can work with customers seeking both tee time and shotgun arrangements,” Dave Tentis said.

Short Game and Junior Excellence: For those looking to fine-tune their golf games, Brent Snyder, Troy Burne’s Director of Instruction, has developed a legion of admirers. One of Snyder’s specialties is helping golfers dial in their short game. Snyder loves nurturing golfers into “great wedge players and brilliant putters.” “The best way to shoot lower scores is get the ball up and down. I enjoy assisting players from 100 yards and in,” Snyder said. Youngsters have also excelled under Snyder’s tutelage, and the course has developed a thriving junior programwith lessons beginning at $50 per session.

Do “the wave” at Troy Burne: When sharing what Troy Burne is all about, it’s easy to get wrapped up in Tom Lehman’s British Open winning golf bag in the pro shop or the sheer environmental mystique of the course. From the undulating fairways and greens, to the gentle creek running along the 11th hole, Troy Burne is nature at its finest.

On a glorious spring day, what really struck this golfer were the waves I encountered. Over the course of four hours, I waved at more people than a Rose Bowl Queen on a downtown float. Not only did Tentis and his team treat me like a long-lost friend, but every time I sped past a grounds crew member on my golf cart, I was greeted with smiles and waves. Between the beautiful course conditions and the red carpet treatment I received, Troy Burne felt like a form of golf therapy. Other than tabulating the occasional crooked number on my scoreboard, I drove home barely able to wipe the smile from my face. If you’ve always wondered if Troy Burne is worth the commute from the Twin Cities, this is a great year to see what the fuss is about.