Red Wing Golf Course – Red Wing. Set. Go!
Have you ever been reluctant to play a golf course… for whatever reason? Maybe there was another course in the area you loved that kept pulling you away. Maybe you only play Top 100 or private golf courses? Whatever the reason… have you ever been reluctant to play a golf course, then played it, and kicked yourself hard for the number of times you missed out on playing it earlier?
The Road To New Richmond Golf Club
The New Richmond Golf Club is as solid as they come. It features some of the best golf holes in Western Wisconsin, a practice facility with few equals and a clubhouse that echoes the stately atmosphere of those types of places that beckon you to hang out after a round. On top of all that they’ve added a new set of eyes with a philosophy that target’s adding more fun to the whole mix.
Gopher Hills Golf Course – Cannon Ball Fun
I found one such cat in a bag 35 miles south of St. Paul – in Cannon Falls – at a course whose name indicates that they might wish I’d actually found a cat there – Gopher Hills Golf Course. You’ve heard about them before… it’s not like they’re a “best kept secret” anymore. But I don’t think people realize just how much good golf you can get in there.
That Bristol Ridge Magic
As you wind along the Apple River on your approach into Bristol Ridge country it might feel like you’ve arrived into the backwoods of rural America but in fact you are only minutes from the newly opened St. Croix River Crossing Bridge. That feeling gets another boost from the fact there are no houses on this course. So, the bridge… is good for The Ridge.
Royal Treatment At The Royal Club
If you want to operate a public access golf course like a private club it only makes sense to bring in a person with built-in, country club DNA. That is exactly what Hollis Cavner, Gary Hendrickson and the rest of the ownership team have accomplished in adding new Head Golf Professional Kent Blaschko to the roster.
Willingers Golf Club – A Great Escape
Northfield, Minnesota offers golfers one of those “just rural enough” escapes. At only 30 miles south of Bloomington, just off I35, Willingers Golf Club is a course that’s easy to get to and even easier to enjoy, making repeat “escapes” there essentially a given. “But there are rural golf courses everywhere,” you say. True. But most of them aren’t like this one.
Pure Perfection At Troy Burne Golf Club
Sitting down and writing about Troy Burne is an easy pleasure. To be sure it’s not quite as much fun as actually playing it, but it’s still a joy. Troy Burne Golf Club ranks right towards the top of blue ribbon championship courses year in and year out in the middle of the country. That’s saying something given the high count of PGA level tracks.
A Four Star Feast At The Wilds Golf Club
It’s comforting to know that under the ‘new normal’ fairways will still climb and fall providing landing zones that challenge our accuracy. It’s also reassuring that greens will roll and tilt requiring a keen eye to read the nuances on slope. These are the basics, the same tests that have been in place since modern golf emerged from the Scottish Highlands in the 15th century.
A Golf Sanctuary – Deer Run Golf Club
On a very recent visit in mid-May we rolled into the parking lot under the bright sunshine, we unpacked our clubs and were guided to our luxury carts under the new check-in procedures smartly in-place. We hit a round of warmup shots on the no-touch driving range and then sank a few putts on the large, well-spaced practice green. You could feel the positive vibe in the air.
Birdies And Beauty At Wild Marsh Golf Club
Off the top of my head I can’t think of a more appropriately named golf course than Wild Marsh. The natural wetlands at this Buffalo, Minnesota track have been perfectly worked into a splendid course design that brings plenty of those wet carries, natural bird habitat and stunning scenery right to your golf cart window.
The Corner Office With Kent Blaschko – The Royal Club
In this issue we sit down with Kent Blaschko – Head Golf Professional at The Royal Club. Kent is excited to dig into the Minnesota golf business after spending a number of years at several Top 100 Courses in the U.S. With that background, he perfectly poised to deliver excellence on a top-notch customer experience.
COVID-19 Changes Golf Forever
With house arrest extending to the 48th day, the Psychic is restless. How many Master’s re-runs can a golfer watch? During this period of isolation the Psychic had discovered his old Bull’s Eye putter and one of the original Ping Anser. During the quarantine, he has learned the breaks on the living room carpet from every angle.
Better – Not Perfect
The other day I was talking to a local PGA teaching pro. He’s a smart guy and I always enjoy his stories and insights. He gets it. Doesn’t get caught up in the frills – he has a real sense for the bottom line. And what really makes him a good instructor, is that he can figure how to get a student to that bottom line.
If I Was… An Owner Of A Daily-Fee Golf Course
Unprecedented. Never before has a word been so often spoken without sounding overused. Frankly, everything that is happening now, while possibly similar to other eras, does not have an equal. So, the almost constant utterance of unprecedented seems about right.
Jack Nicklaus-The Golden Bear Roars
As they say… ‘the data doesn’t lie.’ On the other hand, we all know it doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, as strange as it sounds the PGA TOUR did not officially collect and analyze individual player statistics until 1980. I’m referring to stats like GIR, drive distance, strokes gained, total putts and all the indexes that can be derived from stuff like that. If that data had existed it would have told the backstory behind a big, burly, All-American from Columbus Ohio named Jack Nicklaus.
SmartPin Hits The Jackpot
Get ready to cash in the next time you cash it! Ace Golf Technologies LLC is launching its SmartPin and SmartPin Progressive Hole-In-One Jackpot nationwide on July 1. Make a hole in one and you may win enough cash to buy your golf buddies drinks for days.
Berry Wins Lucky Number 7
PGA Professional Don Berry of Edinburgh USA Golf Course has won his 7th of a possible 9 Minnesota Senior Opens on Wednesday, June 3 at Keller Golf Course in Maplewood, Minn. Berry shot 69-71-140 to finish four under par. Berry was tied with Dale Jones, PGA, of Mendakota Country Club, at the end of 36, but Berry captured the sole playoff hole 4 strokes to Jones’ 5.
PRIORITIES
A few weeks ago, a local Pro was talking about how he gets too wound-up in big golf tournaments. I get it. You get it… we all get it. What’s the secret to not losing your mind under pressure?
PGA Women’s Player of the Year – Lori Money (Deer Run Golf Club)
You can always tell when you’re in the presence of great character. There is often a palatable lift in the air, a boost of enthusiasm and a bit of magic in the room. During those moments have a look around, everyone is probably smiling. Some people know how to bring this extra positivity into the world and Lori Money is definitely one of those people.
Golf Is Connected
The Psychic attended the 2020 edition of the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. How was it? In one word – OVERWHELMING!
As the Delta jet touched down at MSP the Psychic was suddenly slapped with a cruel dose of reality.
Mastering The Art Of Putting – Set Up
Over the course of the season, in each issue of Tee Times we will cover an aspect of putting in this column. Becoming a great putter is part of the game that doesn’t require exceptional athletic ability, great club head speed, or a great deal of time and energy.
Do You Have A Slice-Hook Swing?
Sounds like a silly title, but ALL players have “elements” within their set-up and swing which by themselves would PROMOTE an off-line starting line and/or curve combination.
Making The Most Of Winter
October/November means the end of the golf season for most of us in Minnesota. But just because the season is ending, it doesn’t mean they you have to stop working on your golf game.
Transition “Timing” It Just Right
How might you respond if I claimed there is a good chance that you may never have focused or practiced the MOST vital area of the full swing?
Pace Of Play/Pre-Shot Routine
While incidences of slow play on the PGA TOUR are a concern because of the trickle-down effect that it has on everyday play, slow play in the amateur game and at your local golf course is a major hindrance to the game of golf.
Practice Like A Trial Lawyer
“Practice like a trial lawyer” means that the attorney’s job is to gather and discover evidence one way or the other about his/her client and the incident that caused them to “get together” in the first place.
It’s All About Speed
There are three elements when looking at putting; direction, distance control, and green reading. Of the three, distance control is the most important.
Divots Can Tell You Everything
Are you aware of the four primary Ball Flight Laws? If you decided to change careers and become a PGA Professional, you’d have to for a passing grade. Without this understanding, I believe that golf instruction would still be a primitive art and certainly not a science.
Improving Your Approach
According to Peter Sanders, golf statistician and founder of www.ShotByShot.com the average golfer (15-19 handicap) will have 20 approach shots per round. These approach shots are shots that are hit from 51 yards or more from.
Does Your Improvement Puzzle Have Too Many Pieces?
How many pieces did your first childhood jigsaw puzzle have? I’ve seen them in toy stores with as few as 4 pieces. How many pieces were in the puzzles you bought as you got older and became an adult? More? Why?
From Spritzers To Sangrias
Everyone needs a good sangria and/or spritzer recipe for the summer, am I right?
Dad’s Day Bevis
As we head into the month of June, and our weather finally turns true to its season, we know we can prepare to gear up for a few things – more time for grilling outside and more libations for pairing!
Going Green
Everywhere you turn these days, producers from every label are touting ‘organic’. From cereal to mac n cheese, wine, and into the world of liquor. But have we really ever stopped to think about what all of this labeling really means?
Don’t Ignore The Reds When The Temps Rise
For most, nothing screams summer and spring like a crisp, refreshing glass of white wine – am I right? We live in Minnesota, so it’s fair to say that it gets pretty darn cold in the winter time.
Beyond Chardonnay And Pinot Grigio
According to the country’s most recent wine industry reports, Americans really only consume approximately four grapes. Considering there are over 10,000 varieties of wine grapes in the world, we have a considerable way to go before we can begin to categorize ourselves oenophiles.
Going Green
Everywhere you turn these days, producers from every label are touting ‘organic’. From cereal to mac n cheese, wine, and into the world of liquor. But have we really ever stopped to think about what all of this labeling really means?
Perfectly Pairing Your ‘Reds’
It should come as no surprise that the instinctive wine choice for a mouthwatering pan seared or perfectly grill marked steak hot off the grill is red, but have you ever truly analyzed the exact choice of red grape when pairing to your favorite cuts of meat? I
Golfers And Wine – A Perfect Blend
As many know we are fortunate to be hosting the 2016 matches of the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National and the U.S. team is captained by golf professional, Davis Love III. A gentleman that not only shares great passion for the game of golf, but of another subject that happens to be quite near and dear to my own profession and passions, wine.
Golden Eagle Golf Club – Golden Hours
There’s a time of day called “The Golden Hour” – the last hour or so, in summer, before the sun sets. For many a golfer it’s their favorite time to be on the course – the vibrant warmth of the day giving way to a peaceful cool, shadows stretching, animals coming out of hiding… mother nature at her most approachable and admirable.
Dacotah Ridge And Jackpot Junction – Double The Deal
Jackpot Junction Casino reopened (post COVID) for business on June 1 – spotless, updated and ready for guests. Always a lively place, the parking lot is routinely packed with cars and busses not just from the Twin Cities, but also from Wilmar (44 miles), Mankato (65 miles), St. Cloud (110 miles) and Sioux Falls (130 miles).
Golden Eagle Golf Club – Golden Hours
There’s a time of day called “The Golden Hour” – the last hour or so, in summer, before the sun sets. For many a golfer it’s their favorite time to be on the course – the vibrant warmth of the day giving way to a peaceful cool, shadows stretching, animals coming out of hiding… mother nature at her most approachable and admirable.
Staycation Time At Treasure Island And Mount Frontenac
Sometimes I find myself humming that catchy jingle, “Treasure Island Resort and Casino…” It immediately puts me in the mood for Island Time! I’m sure the marketing wizards who came up with that snippet would pat themselves on the back, but the truth is ‘The Island’ as it’s known is truly an oasis in a sea of uncertainty these days. Down the road and up the hill Mount Frontenac Golf Course offers that same escape only from a higher vantage point.
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge – Minnesota’s Original Golf Resort
Imagine you have a summer home on a big, beautiful lake. Dream come true, right? Now, imagine you invite all your friends to come up for a week or a weekend in the summer… and they do. Those friends invite their friends to come up the next summer… they come, and bring their families, too.
Izatys Resort – Izatys Has It All
When Chip Glazier purchased Izatys in the 1980s, he wanted to upgrade the golf course to create added value to his real estate development. The savvy Glazier hired John Harbottle, a golf course designer with loads of Low Country design experience. Harbottle had spent years designing Low Country golf courses when he worked as Pete Dye’s first assistant.
Giants Ridge – Living Up To The Legend
There’s a Legend that dates back to 1984, about a piece of Mesabi Iron Range land in “Up North Minnesota” too perfect for skiing – “too perfect” in the sense it begged to be used for something else… something more. The dramatic Northwoods land (a “mostly interstate” three hours north of the Twin Cities) was mountainous (for Minnesota) and incredibly beautiful in winter.
The Wilderness At Fortune Bay – Wild Wonder
Golf. For sure. Midwesterners miss our golf nearly half the year as it is, so this extended season of “separation anxiety” (though unique) wasn’t exactly novel. That said, there’s something about THIS particular summer that has me (and many others) looking forward to golf getaways more than ever. “Anywhere in particular you really miss?” I’m asked.
Breezy Point Resort – Always On Point
Pulling through the main gate at Breezy Point Resort feels like entering a luxurious campground. There’s a golf course to your right decked out with flowers, a spiderweb of narrow, cabin-lined streets, and a lake up ahead to your left.
Cragun’s Resort – A Familiar Favorite
Cragun’s Resort certainly hasn’t been immune to the COVID-19 circumstances, but if you know anything about this place (and these people) you know they’re anything but “down and out.” Dutch and Irma Cragun built a lasting legacy in their resilient brand – a warm “when you’re here, you’re family” vibe that reverberates through the many halls and ripples across the crystalline lake – expressed by passionate, compassionate and energetic employees.
