Ask any of my four kids to name their Top 5 Favorite Places in Minnesota, and each of them would list Breezy Point Resort. Just as so many other vacationers do annually, we claim the lakeside paradise beneath the water tower as our “Home Away from Home,” and proudly count many of the staff/owners as friends and/or family. Anticipation for the next year’s return always starts on the car ride back home, as we all acknowledge the most recent stay wasn’t nearly long enough. That’s how it is at all the special places you love. You just can’t get enough.

Nestled to the north of Brainerd and many of its signature lakes, Breezy Point is an extension of the “Big Bobber” town of Pequot Lakes, and while you don’t need to leave the resort for entertainment, neighboring Crosslake and Pequot Lakes do host quite the assortment of shops, restaurants and entertainment options. “We’ve got everything we need up here,” Owner Bob Spizzo insists, and proves so by essentially never going home. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”

The Brainerd Lakes Area in general is home to many of Minnesota’s best fishing spots and golf resorts, with each of those resorts distinguishing itself from the others in specific ways. Breezy Point has always led with its golf and guest service, featuring what many people (myself included) consider the best public golf course in the state – Arnold Palmer’s Deacon’s Lodge – and an unparalleled collection of exceptional staff prepared to take care of every guest as best they can. Deacon’s Head Golf Professional, Mark Neva, is quick to brush off any, and all praise, insisting he’s the lucky one who gets to operate that course and meet so many avid and excited golfers daily. But I know better, and so should you. In this industry the courses that stand head and shoulders above the others are the ones that don’t overlook any aspect of their operations… and Mark (and the rest of the Breezy Point team) is always on top of the game.

Speaking of “the game,” Breezy Point Resort has three golf courses. The shortest and tightest of them is the on-site parkland layout with gorgeous wooden corridors called The Traditional. Director of Golf, Mark Johnson, loves that course, mostly for its serenity, but also for its history. “Some of the game’s biggest names have walked these fairways (Walter Hagen and Patti Berg among them), and it’s pretty much unchanged since they did. You can literally play in their footsteps.”

Brainerd’s original Championship routing is just up the street at Whitebirch, surrounded by many of the resort’s most spacious accommodations. Head Professional Nolan Toft calls the more hilly and spacious lake-and-waterfall romp the perfect blend of The Traditional and Deacon’s Lodge. “I love The Birch,” Nolan says. “Especially in summer with all the families and golf groups grilling out, eating, drinking and chilling on their golf-side patios, taking in the sunset and sitting out under the stars.” Nolan spends all his working hours between Whitebirch and the new North Star Bar next to the Hockey Arena (with the four state-of-the-art golf simulators). “Really proud of what we continue to build here. Gets better every year!”

Those 36 holes provide a lot of golf and fun. But then there’s the perennially ranked “Best in State” gem Deacon’s Lodge, featuring the best golf, incredible scenery, and the most fun.

“Arnold Palmer loved this place,” Mark recalls fondly, gesturing across the majestic lakeside expanse. “With or without clubs, he loved to walk along the lakes, listen to the loons… take it all in.” I can visualize it while I’m playing it… can almost feel his smile and presence there in the many beautiful vistas and exceptional hole designs. I miss The King.” (We all do.)

“You and (Golf Channel’s) Matt Ginella and (GolfPass Director) Jason Deegan all hold Deacon’s Lodge in such lofty reverence,” Mark acknowledges. “And that’s really caught fire around the country. Every year we welcome thousands of first-timers who have heard your (collective) claims of greatness, and we all celebrate its annual rise in the national rankings. We can’t thank all of you enough.”

We’re one and the same when it comes to praise, Mark and I. My closest media friends and I got into golf promotion for love of the game, and to be able to thank many of the great people and places it has introduced us to. For the record, I do consider Deacon’s Lodge Arnold Palmer’s best design in America, and I insist (if you haven’t yet played it) that you book a Breezy Point golf trip ASAP, so you can end the “missing out.”

Hold on though… I’m not done. Far from it. You’ll find a lot more than great golf at Breezy Point on a visit. I’ve touched on the lodging but that description merits expansion. The multi-bedroom golf-side townhouses are always a favorite among families and bigger groups (never far from a swimming pool and hot tub), but there are also plenty of options on or near the beach and lake – a variety of cabins and hotel/lodge rooms ranging in accommodating features and quantity of bedrooms (2 to 11). This IS a lake resort, and Pelican Lake is an awesome place to hang out on (or in) all hours of the day. Check out the Breezy Point website for in-depth descriptions of their cabins, homes and lodge rooms. And, while you’re there, dig into their restaurant menus.

Breezy Point has five restaurants and The Coffee House. Antlers, in the Whitebirch clubhouse provides country club-style atmosphere with golf course views. The lakeside Marina II combines the elevated sights of Breezy Bay with the tastes and smells of steaks, chops and seafood. Dockside Lounge below it is far and away the most popular hangout—literally ON the water, with some tables so close to the edge you can feed the fish without moving. Family-friendly as it gets, Dockside focuses on Appetizers, Pizzas, Burgers, Salads and Sunsets. The brand-NEW North Star has been such a huge hit with its self-pour beer wall, golf simulators and fresh sportive vibe. And then there’s Palmer’s Grille at Deacon’s Lodge, where you’ll have a tough time choosing between the Cajun Wings and their 18 oz. Rib Eye. Put it this way … Thou Shalt Not Go Hungry at Breezy Point.

Golf, Lodging, Food and… Entertainment. Looking to unwind? The Serenity Spa will take care of that for you, with plenty of pampering packages. As will a leisurely paddle-wheel excursion on the Breezy Belle (take the last one of the day if you can). Dip your feet in the lake off a dock, use the marina to launch your own boat, head out to play on the island. Water sports… beach sports… daytime adventures and nighttime events. Yes, when summer’s best days draw to a close, Breezy draws their own crowds at night, with a series of concerts at Dockside, including Chris Olson’s famous “Memories of Elvis Show” (a dozen different show dates throughout the summer), the popular Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond Tribute Show (also with a dozen show dates), and many other great performers.

I could go on and on about Breezy … as you all know by now. But I’ll wrap this story with a mic drop. Rumor has it there’s a “unique to Minnesota” golf course coming to Breezy Point in 2027 … a brand-new course. Nothing like ending with a teaser, eh?