Elevating The Game At St. Croix National Golf & Event Center

In the golfing universe, St. Croix National is known as an eccentric course. It offers more elevation than a four-day trek through Augusta National and almost as much natural wonder. There is water, there is towering pines, multi-tiered greens, majestic vistas, and lush rolling fairways. In short, plenty of unique features. If you can’t get excited about taking that on, you may want to check yourself into a clinic for the chronically dull. Like the tagline says… It takes balls to play here.

St. Croix National has garnered a long list of awards and accolades since it’s opening in 1996 with architect Joel Goldstrand’s design. At 6,909 yards from the tips, a handful of forced carries and some tight layup spots this course will challenge the best golfers, but SCN is making a concerted effort to make the course player friendly at all skill levels. They have invested heavily the last several years to accomplish this. With loads of chainsaw work, some select brush clearing, brand new touchscreen GPS carts and a revamped driving range, they are strongly encouraging ‘everyone’ to experience it’s beautiful layout with an ambiance second to none.

Change is the overriding theme and it is no coincidence that those changes are being fast-tracked to take advantage of the new St. Croix Crossing Bridge. In the old days (last July) it could be a stickler to get patrons to weave through the Stillwater traffic, wait at stoplights and a lift bridge to eventually arrive at the course. Now it is literally a breeze. From the 694 / 36 intersect it is 17 minutes to the SCN parking lot at the second exit out of Houlton. That is half the time it took prior to the new bridge opening and zero hassle. Boom!

To encourage more golfers over that bridge in 2018, SCN is introducing the Green Pass. This is an innovative price structured membership that has tiered levels starting at $299 and topping out at $499. You play all year for that price and you only pay the cart fee, a measly $16. That is a lot of quality golf for that price range.

Speaking of quality, in general, the long winter has been kind to the local golf courses. Mike and his grounds keeping team have really leveraged that weather into excellent turf conditions. Last fall they took the extra step of a double pin-style aeration and the results are excellent. The greens are unbelievable! Firm, silky smooth, no nicks, literally perfect. No small feat when you consider the unrelenting wilderness that surrounds this course. The crew also upgraded a number of the forward tee boxes providing more elevation, more square area and broad platforms with excellent views down the fairway. The entire course is in great shape and ready to rock.

All of this positive change is not limited to the course however. They have remodeled the interior clubhouse with a contemporary high-end look, added new TV’s, new restrooms, updated menu offerings, a full complement of craft brews and continued to fine-tune its excellent 19^th hole patio… easily one of the best post-round spots in Western Wisconsin. In fact, there could be more betting on the patio than on the course as they have installed mats with unobstructed shot lanes to the island green target below… a chance to win your money back while relaxing with good friends. A clever idea, and well executed.

The Event Center has also undergone some great changes, again more investment, all this in an effort to capture the wedding and group event business. The center has a stunning location waterside among the mature oaks with a set-up that allows for a dramatic red-carpet entrance (with cart or not) ride right to the alter.

Every hole at SCN has a dramatic look. The hole-to-hole variety when taken in sequence is fun and challenging. You go from a deep-woods, short par 4 to a wide-open, bunker-filled fairway on a long par 5. You go from a steep uphill par 4 with a monster green to a sweeping gentle downhill par 4 with a small green. There are several holes that make this course so memorable. The short #1 par 4 is a free fall to a blind landing spot. For the uninitiated it can be quite intimidating, but it’s actually an easy starting hole (as they should be) and sets the tone for the excitement to come. The dead gorgeous par 4, tenth is a rewarding start to the back nine that might sucker you into trying to take on a bunker but given the room to the left that is not needed. If the wind is right however, go for it. The short par 3, fifteenth is classic northern woods hole tucked in among the mature trees alongside a rock-strewn creek bed.

For the team at SCN, the 2018 season is all about embracing change and investing in enhanced customer satisfaction. They are putting their money where their mountain is. At every turn and on all levels, St. Croix National is bringing it’s ‘A’ game to the table. A short cross over the new bridge, take a right at the second exit and you will experience that game.