Nature And Golf In Harmony At Golden Eagle Golf Club

It’s not easy to carve out a golf course from an old growth forest and leave the best parts of the woodsy feel while delivering on an exceptional, championship level course. Not quite sure how they did it, but Golden Eagle has done just that. Meticulous, tightly cut fairways with monster undulation, sprawling bunkers with well-trimmed edges, quick greens, doglegs that beckon for a shortcut, elevated tee boxes, national park worthy nature vista’s and the best darn craft beer on tap that anyone could ask for – all this while playing in the midst of a beautiful stretch of northern Minnesota forest.

In fact, that cold beer can be enjoyed while relaxing on the spacious deck overlooking the 18^th hole as your buddies and gal pals finish off their round below. This stroke of layout genius came as the course retooled and switched the front and back nine’s. Nothing like winning a bet at your buddy’s expense while watching him hand it over on the green.

I have to say the original landscapers on this tract did an outstanding job of moving dirt and rolling with what Mother Nature was giving them. The fairways seem to bank and fall away at the right times while some holes open to a friendly landing area (assuming you can hit it) and soften the approach into the green. Setting up on the proper side of the fairway should be in your game plan at Golden Eagle. I also recommend cleaning all of your clubs before the round because surely you are going to use them all. I’m talking all 14 clubs.

If you are seeking a bit advice on how to handle this challenging course, Aaron Johnson is your go-to person. Aaron is the General Manager and knows every square inch of the 210 acres, which was originally cut out of a private natural preserve. What is comforting to know is Aaron has been in the golf business since he was 14. Over the past 18 years he has worked his way through a number of roles. Aaron makes a great team with Lucian Greeninger, Golden Eagle’s superintendent, who has mowed it, raked it, cut it and nurtured Golden Eagle into the world-class destination course it is today.

This golf course layout has great variety both in its elevation changes and right to left requirements. The trees have been selectively thinned in just the right spots to allow for a bit of scrambling if needed, this is a fair move given the tilted fairways and mix of natural elements in play. The round starts with a blind dogleg left, which means you won’t be ‘crushing it.’ Always good to card a par out of the gate, pump the brakes and play it smart. Maybe the toughest hole on the course is the 500 yard par 5, fifth hole. It isn’t really reachable in two unless your last name is McIlroy. The smart shot is to lay up around 120 yards and take your chances with the wedge from there into an elevated green. Come up short and you’ll have tricky shot to get up and down. Like I said, tough stuff.

If there is one hole where Mother Nature and the golf architects’ come to the table and roll it all together, it is the par 3, 13^th. Many would consider this the signature hole. The longish yardage and tee box set-up to create a picture postcard hole. From an elevated tee, you are faced with a sweat inducing forced carry that can be cheated off to the side but I don’t recommend it.

The round closes out with another fabulous hole. The finishing hole is a long par 4 that has water down the right side and OB on the left. The clubhouse is framed beautifully in the background as you come into the green. Perhaps you’ve got a cheering section assembled on the large patio that offers a great view of 18^th green below. Don’t be surprised if you get a few unsolicited tips on putting from the peanut gallery above. It’s a fun set-up for group outings and events – you’ve been warned.

Moving inside the golf shop is well stocked with the latest in Under Amour and Nike designs every year. The golf shop flows into a spacious clubhouse restaurant that is finished in classic northern Minnesota knotty pine. The open space is warm and welcoming after a hard fought round. The bar offers a wide selection from top shelf brandy to single malt scotch a rotating selection of local craft beers. The menu offers a wide selection of handmade hamburgers and several sandwiches all with fresh, made to order ingredients – all the more reason to stick around and enjoy the northern atmosphere.

Golden Eagle will play host to a collection of nice events in 2018 including the Wounded Warrior Tournament on May 25^th (Memorial Weekend), the Ladies Invitational June 19-21, the Golden Eagle Open and to close down the year an Iron Man Tournament. This last one has the groundskeeper giggling as they set up pins in the worst possible placement, and roll the greens until they are rock hard. Everything is within legal limits but the difficulty meter is dialed up to 11.

Heading off of Highway 1 north towards Golden Eagle you may ask yourself, am I going logging or golfing. The tall trees and wild marshlands don’t end when you pull up to the course. You won’t find a chainsaw in your bag, but you will find 14 clubs waiting to be used. Use them all and savor every shot.