Finding True North At Whitefish Golf Club

You can travel near and far, you can zig-zag the backroads of Minnesota into every corner of the map but you are not likely to pull into a golf course that roll’s out the red carpet like Whitefish Golf Club. Parking the car, loading the clubs and walking up to the clubhouse under a canopy of tall pines is a sure sign you’ve landed in the right place. You will be greeted in the pro shop with that classic Minnesota welcome that will only reinforce the notion that your next round of golf will be special.

There are numerous high-end golfing options in the greater Brainerd area, but the Whitefish clubhouse setting is one of the classiest, well thought-out designs in North Country. This course offers a smart alternative in the Brainerd/Crosslake area alongside the larger resort courses. There is a beautiful practice green tucked in and around those mature pines, a technical players driving range and a stellar practice bunker… so you have no excuses for teeing off cold at Whitefish. That’s good because I do not recommend teeing off cold on this course, hitting fairways is at a premium. Tree’s, tall trees, small tree’s, skinny trees, fat tree’s all have a way of making second shots into the green a true test. I’ll trade that layout challenge any day for the classic northern aesthetic that Whitefish brings. The cart paths here feel more like a scenic tour than a means to the next tee box.

If you haven’t visited Whitefish before, this is the year to stop in and meet Steve Bengtson and his staff as they celebrate their 50^th anniversary. Steve is General Manager and PGA Professional as well as overall golf ambassador in this slice of northern Minnesota. He is planning to offer plenty of extra’s and fun this year for the anniversary season. The centerpiece of that celebration is a 50 day, 50 prize run that culminates in a Grand Prize drawing on July 15^th. Included in all this is a trip for two to Cabo San Lucas, 50 rounds of golf on the house, a PING putter and more. Keep in mind you likely won’t be able to help them celebrate their 100^th, so make this year count.

As an owner operated course of 50 years (very rare in the golf industry), Whitefish has stayed true to its original charter objective of providing an alternative, high quality golfing experience for vacationing visitors and the year-round residents. There is a near cult following of core golfers in the area who find the tree lined fairways, bunkered greens, immaculate landscaping and first-class service a go-to option. These purveyors of the game know an authentic northern feel when they see it and play it, and they know Whitefish has the goods.

Those majestic pines weren’t always that tall at Whitefish. Exactly 50 years ago in 1968 Whitefish opened their doors as a nine-hole course when a handful of local resident’s and golf enthusiasts pooled together their wherewithal and resources to create an iconic golf destination. In 1983 the course underwent a renovation and added the second 9 holes where hitting fairways was still at a premium within the design. Challenging, yet very playable.

The course is not overly long at 6,470 from the tips but it can be narrow. The whites are at 5,733 yards and this feels about right given that width. This is why Whitefish attracts both an elite level of competitive golfer as well as its share of recreational weekenders. The design and specifications play to both types of golfers. The par 3, 12^th is considered the signature hole for all the right reasons. It has a scenic set-up from the tee box, semi-forced carry which puts club selection at a premium and there is a tricky wind factor on certain days where below the tree line there isn’t much going on until you get the ball in the air. Can you say Amen Corner?

A classic set of finishing holes could put a dent in your card if you are not respectful of those fairways. When things are going well we tend to overreach our abilities and that is when the trouble starts. Holes 16, 17 and 18 will put that fundamental truth to the test. Best to keep it real and keep hitting fairways at the cost of giving up some yardage off the tees. Save those gorilla swings for another day.

If you didn’t start your round with one of Bogey Bar and Grills famous Bloody Marys, you should definitely close the round with one. They deserve the reputation they have as one of the area’s finest. Either the patio or Bogey’s provides an excellent place to wind it down and take in all this northern Minnesota beauty. After 50 years of care, consideration, smarts and golf expertise, Whitefish has arrived right where it began, as a consummate, northern Minnesota golf destination with a real-deal feel and lots of happy customers.