The Wilds Golf Club Plays To Win

Competition is a good thing. I don’t think anyone would really argue that point on the surface. But with that said, I’m not sure too many people would embrace it with open arms quite the way Scott Reuter does at The Wilds. Scott, who is the Head Golf Professional at The Wilds, shared with me that it was the competitive proximity in the southern suburbs among that group of high-end golf courses that keeps The Wilds in top-notch shape and always on their toes. Scott and his team are always on the move ‘playing to win.’ The Wilds continues to deliver outstanding course conditions and an events hosting juggernaut that has the owners smiling. More good news, things are only going to get better as new Superintendent Joe Berggren joins the team in Prior Lake.

Evidence of the impact of Joe’s expertise was already put in play this year when The Wilds hosted a U.S. Open Qualifier on May 16. If my math is correct that is less than four weeks after a massive snow storm in April. I’m only assuming there had to be some serious overtime involved in getting the Tom Weiskopf/Jay Moorish course ready for this event. At 7,049 yards from the Weiskopf tee’s to the 5,118 yard forward tees, the course offers plenty of player level band-width to give everyone a fair run at Joe’s finely-tuned, course conditions.

Joe is a graduate of the Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management Program and has gained his hands-on experience through a series of increasing roles. Joe is a Prior Lake native and feels like he has arrived back home and is ‘stoked’ to be rolling up his sleeves and digging into The Wilds expansive groundskeeping requirements. With over 35 acres of fairways, 2,000 sprinkler heads and a staff of 25, he will have his hands full. Initial focus will be in the bunkers and greens area and he is quick to point out he is only enhancing and optimizing an already good thing.

The Wilds plays like a high-end sports car. That might explain why it is a perennial favorite for Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves, Lynx and Twins players. If you’re on the course, it is possible a pro athlete is hitting in that foursome in front of you so don’t crowd them too much.

There are a few nerve racking tee-shots and the par 5, #2 starts that off with an uphill shot into a blind corner. Don’t give in to your instincts to cut that corner, stay right-center for a clean look and that green can be reached in three. The 384 yard par 4, #6 is another nail biter. A forced carry leads to a wonderful split fairway and finishes in a well-protected green that can be tough to stick. Number 8 is again a narrow forced carry off the tee box that opens to a broad fairway. With a big drive you will be looking down onto a green surrounded on three sides by natural wetlands. That downhill look on this par 5 is worth the price of admission alone.

The back nine opens with a par 4, 400 yard hole that has a string of well-appointed homes lining the left side. It can feel a bit tight, but keep your composure and you will be rewarded with a decent par opportunity as the hole finishes towards a somewhat elevated green. The par 5, #12 is a longish hole with the homes now flipped to the right side. It fairly wide so the tendency is to over swing, this can cause some nasty slices and your ball could find its way into the backyards. The #14 is a monster par 4 at 453 yards from the tips, but to make things even more interesting, it is a long dogleg left from an elevated tee box. The short par 4, #16 continues the theme with a water carry and berms on both sides of the green. This is a good time for some surgical wedge play. The round finishes with a par 4 that incorporates a classic target style sweet-spot off the box between bunkers and water. You can’t help but notice the gorgeous clubhouse framed in the background as you approach that final green.

The events calendar and restaurant at The Wilds is always busy. It’s busy for a reason. The Wilds provide top-notch service levels and work closely with their clients to insure even the minutest of details are covered. The Wilds is a favorite of the charity tournament planners as well. Even with a large roster of annual returning events, there is always room to add more and that is exactly what is happening in 2018. The word-of-mouth and repeat business speaks volumes about The Wilds capabilities and execution.

Hats off to Scott and Joe and their respective teams for taking on the challenge. They want to win. That attitude and approach is a win for us…. the playing public. I recommend you join the game and take a run at this classic, top-end course. Try not to clobber our starting quarterback Mr. Cousins… this is our year.