Giants Ridge – What More Could You Ask For?

As a golf journalist I’ve had the chance to speak to PGA players over the years, and one of my favorite questions to ask them is (prefaced with the fact that they pretty much play the world’s best courses every week) – “Where is a place you’ve never played that you’d really like to play?” It would take three hands for me to count the number of times a player has said, “Central Wisconsin or Northern Minnesota.” And why not? We’ve recently had the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Ryder Cup here (in this area), and that’s likely awakened the awareness and curiosity of the game’s best, but the best time of year to play here is when they’re playing everywhere else, so… they may not ever get to Minnesota to explore. Nonetheless, I NEVER pass up the chance to make suggestions, and always mention Jeff Brauer’s four courses up north, beginning with the duo at Giants Ridge.

“Are they worth the drive?” I’ve been asked. “And then some,” I reply. “You would say that though,” one player fired back, “you’re from here.” Actually… I’m not. And even if I was, I’ve played 550+ courses around the world and would rank 8 Minnesota public courses in my Top 100 – including BOTH at Giants Ridge. I’m known to go against the grain a little bit when it comes to picking favorites. All the big publications LOVE the Quarry, and I’m not saying I don’t or that anyone else shouldn’t. I just think Legend at Giants Ridge is massively underappreciated. I’ve written head-to-head articles comparing the two, going hole-by-hole counting signatures, and Legend comes out ahead in my tally. That’s not to take anything away from Quarry – at all – it’s just that people who are coming up here to play the Quarry, make a significant mistake if they overlook it’s sibling. BOTH courses are “must plays.” No question.

Legend at Giants Ridge blasts off from the clubhouse like a double-barreled shotgun, with holes 1 and 10 launching straight out, over gorgeous forced carries to mounded fairways. Continuing that mirror design image, the 2^nd and 11^th holes are both short beautiful Par 3’s, both over water, and both worth taking a few pictures on. That’s four stellar holes already, and you’re really just beginning. The third hole on Legend is one of the marquee signatures, with a Giant footprint bunker flanking the left edge of the fairway, directing you out to the corner on a great Par 5. There’s another great 3 Par at 6, and a stellar closer with a scenic pond approach/carry at 9. The back is defined by a lot more boulders, and some pretty, enticing, lakeside scenery. The extensive connections between holes validate the emphasis on taking carts and give you glimpses of the beauty to come at 17 …ah… 17… the single prettiest golf hole in all of Minnesota.

That’s not an overstatement, or hyperbole. It’s fact. It’s the single most photographed hole in the state (or Top 3 at worst). It has graced numerous magazine and calendar covers. It’s been nominated one of “America’s 101 Best Golf Holes” by GolfGetaways Magazine. Have you seen it? Have you played it? All I’m saying is… if you’re going up to play the Nationally Ranked Quarry course, you might want to stay an extra day and get a round (or two) in on Legend. You have no idea how much greatness you’re missing if you don’t.

You do, however, know how much greatness to expect at the Quarry. You know its been ranked #1 in Minnesota (seemingly forever) and in the Top 25 courses in the United States by Golf Digest every year it’s been eligible. You know Golf Magazine listed it at #54 in the U.S. – somehow the only Minnesota course on their entire list. (Boy are they missing out!) You know that every golf expert in America tells you it’s a “must play.” And then maybe (hopefully) you’ve got some personal experiences to support that acclaim. Experience will tell you that it’s one of the most challenging rounds in Minnesota and the most undulated. Experience will tell you that you’ll be wowed on a dozen or so tee boxes with the bunkers, mounds and panoramic views. Experience will tell you that not only is the Quarry a “must play” – it’s a “must play every year.” (Experience will make you wonder why Jeff Brauer doesn’t get more national credit for his amazing work.)

Think about it… if you knew you had one of the 25 best courses in the entire country 200 (or less) miles from your Twin Cities doorstep (65 short miles from Duluth), why wouldn’t you come play it? Especially when you consider the remarkable value of playing both rounds here, staying here (at the Lodge, in the villas, or at the spectacular Green Gate Guest Houses), and even making a quick day trip up to play the #2 ranked course in the state at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay… why wouldn’t you come up here every single year? Why not come up more than once?

The Giants Ridge environs are so amazing, so naturally beautiful. You’re surrounded by Wynne, Sabin and Embarrass Lakes, right on the edge of the serene small city scene that is Biwabik. Hundreds of miles of bike trails web out from here, flying alongside the many open waterways ideal for boating and fishing. The houses and distractions are minimal. The rewards maximized. I’ve spent full weeks up there and left wishing I had even more time. It’s hard to beat northern Minnesota in the summer and hard to beat our golf during golf season. Both of those statements are validated at Giants Ridge.

The lodging options at Giants Ridge are both diverse and plentiful. The Lodge on the main resort property – adjacent the Legend course – has great rooms and suites, with fireplaces and a great pool/spa area. The Villas down the road provide even more space for bigger groups, with suites, 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom villas that can accommodate as many as 12 people. And then there’s the Green Gate Guest Houses – across from and adjacent to The Quarry – Minnesota’s most unique lodging facilities (bar none). Where else can you golf two of the world’s best courses during the day then spend the night in a luxury barn? (Not bar… barn.) You can sit out by the fire pit at owner Shawn Callahan’s incredible GGGH and (without intruding light) take in the full ceiling of stars. You can, alternatively, opt for the other guesthouses, too – the Farm House, Log Cabin, Miner’s House and/or his Lakeview and Birches villas. All three of these lodging options connected to Giants Ridge make the golf resort among the Midwest’s most sensational Stay & Play experiences.

You can venture into Biwabik for food if you’d like, everyone up here supports everyone, but there are some great options at the resort. The Burnt Onion Kitchen & Brews (on the main resort property) takes northwoods comfort foods and give them a creative twist – with steaks, seafood and many specials to boot. The Wacootah Grille in the Quarry clubhouse has a cliffside patio overlooking the sparkling Lake Mine and a variety of menu options for golfers and non-golfers alike. Bottom line: The food is really good here, the lodging options are great, and the golf… well, it’s at least on par with the best 36 holes of golf anywhere in the Midwest. You could ask for more, but that would be ridiculous.