Dreams Come True At Timber Creek Golf Course – Owning A Golf Field of Dreams In Watertown

What is your ultimate golf dream? A hole in one? Attending a round at The Masters? Playing at Pebble Beach? For long-time golf superintendent Brooks Ellingson, owning Timber Creek Golf Course is his 365-days-per-year dream.

While literally working from the ground up as a Superintendent for three decades at Brookview, Rum River Hills, Lake Milton, and Albion Ridges, Ellingson always had his eye on the prize of taking on a course of his own. During his turf management career Ellingson kept a mental note of what worked and what didn’t in the golf industry.

Ellingson kept a lookout for his potential dream course by reviewing a monthly email list that announced when courses were for sale. When Timber Creek became available in 2014, Ellingson made his dream come true.

Feel It When You Drive To Watertown

As you drive west on Highway 394/Highway 12 to Watertown, it’s easy to see and feel what appealed to Ellingson about the golf course he now calls home. The upscale Minnetonka urban retail landscape evolves into spectacular rural acreage, to modern farms, to ranches with impressive elevations, and finally the serenity that is Watertown and its quaint population of 4,200.

As you pull into Timber Creek’s ranch style entrance on County Highway 24, the tranquility of the environment hits you like a surprising muscle relaxer. Your watch slows down, your heart rate calms, and it’s a mere five seconds before someone greets you like a long-lost friend. Within 30 minutes of the big city, playing 18 holes at Timber Creek is the best kind of golf getaway that doesn’t require a long commute.

Arriving on an 80-degree Friday in May, one of Ellingson’s keystones as to why he purchased a golf course is immediately evident. On the practice green, in the clubhouse, and on the first tee box you’ll find Ellingson’s commitment to growing the game. Youngsters are playing golf and loving it. Taking care of golf’s youngest generation is a central element in Ellingson’s Timber Creek plan.

Growing The Game At Timber Creek

“I wanted to make Timber Creek family friendly. If we can convince the young golfers that Timber Creek is fun, they’ll bring their parents. If the parents like the way they are treated they’ll bring their friends. It’s a win-win,” Ellingson said.

One of Minnesota golf’s most familiar faces can be found in, of all places, Timber Creek’s men’s restroom. A portrait of Tim “Lumpy” Herron is front and center as you walk into the men’s facility. It turns out Herron’s legacy to Timber Creek is a course record 64 that he scored as a teenager.

Ellingson sees the potential of scoring low as just one of the bonuses offered at Timber Creek’s cozy 6,200-yard layout. Ellingson’s course purposefully offers a multitude of tee boxes as just another way to grow the game and enjoy your Timber Creek experience.

Turf Tools, Teaching, And Tournaments At Timber Creek

Timber Creek’s favorable reviews aren’t hurt by the supreme course conditions that you’d expect from a golf course owned by someone who lives and breathes turf. In case there’s any doubt if a superintendent can cut the cord from his turf roots, Ellingson dispels that notion by rarely relinquishing his 3M soundproof headphones. This audio security blanket is attached to a man who has driven a riding mower nearly every summer day since 1983.

Another way Timber Creek grows the game is by delivering a double-barreled approach to improving your score. Golf Professionals Ernie Rose and Chad Raymond are on hand with teaching approaches to assist every level of golfer. Rose’s specialty is working with youngsters. In fact, this former University of Minnesota Director of Instruction has helped 20 high school players receive college scholarships.

Timber Creek’s charming indoor-outdoor surroundings also make it a perfect venue for golf tournaments, fundraisers, and reunions. Ellingson will arrange catering to suit your personal needs.

One More Wish

After four plus years living his golf course ownership dream, are there any added touches that Ellingson could wish for? Ellingson paused, grinned, and said, “Our equipment could always be better. I can’t think of a Superintendent alive who wouldn’t wish for a new irrigation system.”

There’s no harm in wishing at this little slice of golf paradise in Watertown. For the superintendent-turned-golf-course-owner with an eye toward perfect conditions, the grass can always be a little bit greener.