After walking into the Heritage Links clubhouse in Lakeville, this writer was handed the keys to every golfer’s dream. On a sunny, 76-degree day in August, I would have this 6,700-yard golf course all to myself.

During one of the nicest days of the 2024 summer, Heritage Links was closed. On this day, every high school and college student, volunteer, and contractor who had something to do with the Heritage Links would be playing golf, eating dinner, and winning prizes, all compliments of the owners.

“It’s something we do every year for the people who make this course run,” Co-owner Jan Zweber said. “We’re so grateful for their efforts, especially the young people who are going back to school. Today everyone is heading over to Mississippi National in Red Wing for a great day of golf,” Zweber said.

Labor Of Love

The story of how Heritage Links came to be dates to the year 1997. The Zweber children’s Dad had taken ill, and the siblings decided to turn what was a dairy farm into a golf course.

“Making the leap to build a golf course was a major family decision. Our farm had a lot of emotional value for all of us. For me, this ground provided a college education,” Zweber said.

The Zweber’s assigned Golf Architect Joel Goldstrand with the task of turning their farm into a south metro golf oasis. Goldstrand’s design portfolio had already included 100 courses, with the majority based in his home state of Minnesota.

A Tradition Of Junior Golf

Heritage Links has always made a commitment to growing the game through junior golf. A key member of the Heritage team is Kirk Reiners, Lakeville South’s golf coach since 2015. Each summer, Reiner’s Junior League and Junior Camp is a rousing success.

The Heritage Links Golf Course philosophy is: If the kids are happy on the golf course, the parents will follow. There is somewhat of a domino effect to this philosophy. The Heritage Thursday Men’s League includes 128 golfers and the Tuesday Women’s League includes 19 foursomes, or 76 golfers.

“We think an unspoken reason for our Men’s League popularity is we feed them dinner and dessert. I don’t know of any other Twin Cities course that does that. The homemade desserts are really a big hit,” Jan said with a smile.

Lakeville Hill Country Golf
When golfers with a Heritage Links tee time take the County Road 70 exit from I35, they notice an immediate topography difference. On either side of the road they see elevation changes, green foliage, ranches, and rolling hill vistas. Lakeville includes a thriving business and residential community with 74,000 residents, but it still clings to a lush modern-rural vibe.

2024 has been an especially good year, due in part to the significant rain early in the summer. “Our course conditions this year have been exceptional. We’ve found that if you deliver great greens and great grass, people will come back. We’re thankful to our Superintendent, Ty Tollefson,” brother Mark Zweber said.

This greener than green rolling terrain is definitely evident as you step up to Par 4, 374-yard first hole. The front nine is known for a more wide-open feeling off the tee. A handful of marshes dot the landscape throughout the front side, and the obvious advice is to play opposite these hazards.

The back nine is tighter and you’d be wise to lean on your three-wood off the tee. This is especially true on the Par 4, 319-yard 10^th hole. Get ready for a fairway that narrows followed by a shot over a ravine to a green that is flanked by two sand traps. In addition to their stellar playing conditions, Heritage Links presents 45 bunkers and water features on 16 of 18 holes.

Golf That Gives Back
Jan Zweber recently retired from working in the airline industry, and this transition has made her reflective. “When we first opened this course, all my family members worked full-time jobs. This was in addition to operating a golf course seven days per week. Looking back, it’s hard to believe Heritage Links is going on its 27^th year,” Zweber said.

The idea that the Heritage Links Golf Club sits on the farm her parents started in 1951 is still fresh for Jan and her siblings. When you play 18 holes at Heritage Links, you are part of an enduring family legacy.

On one of the nicest days of 2024, Heritage Links is closed to give back to the staff and vendors who’ve helped make the course a success. The Zwebers believe the more you give, the more you get. That mantra made being handed the keys to an EZ-Go golf cart and having Heritage Links all to myself even sweeter.