As a parent of four I’d heard rumors of a “Chutes and Ladders” playground – an epic tale I couldn’t quite believe, not even with the insane pictures all over social media. “That’s the Hyland Play Area,” a better-informed parent told me. “It’s part of the Three Rivers Park District.” I went straight to their website (www.ThreeRiversParks.org) and, sure enough, there it was. My kids were going to be in heaven. I was about to click away when “BAM!” something else caught my eye under “Things to Do.” Uh oh.

GOLF. What? Turns out Three Rivers operates four golf courses, 63 holes in all, and one of them is a pretty prestigious play just west of Minneapolis – Baker National Golf Course (Rated 4 Stars by Golf Digest). Instantly, I was texting my wife (Who was upstairs at the time. Don’t judge me.), and telling her we needed to go play at the playground. “Okay!?!” was her reply, supplemented with a confused-face emoji. My plan was to drop her and the kids off while I went and played Baker National. It sounded perfect, and would have been perfectly executed, if 180 other people hadn’t had the same idea as me that day. Baker was booked full. A bad thing for me that particular day, but a GREAT sign for how good the golf must be! (And, if you’re interested, that Chutes and Ladders playground lived up to its much ballyhooed billing too!)

Baker National Golf Course is a 210-acre course located in the Baker Park Reserve, in Medina, on Lake Spurzem. Screams “beautiful” doesn’t it? In fact, Baker National winds through thick clusters of trees, wide-open naturally resplendent spaces and around sparkling wetlands. The words “park reserve” tell you that there are no houses on the course, a factor that will impress and please the player looking to get away without straying too far away – only 10 minutes from interstate 494! The words “park reserve” also indicate that there is wildlife, serenity, and some dang good “Kodak moments” to brighten up your various social media feeds. Director of Golf, Jeff May, says, “We have something for everyone here… a Championship Course that will test players of every level and a 9-hole Evergreen Course that is perfect for beginners, families, the player who wants to work on their game and the golfer who doesn’t have time for a full 18.”

Those truths undersell everything else Jeff and his staff provide at Baker National, but I won’t – not after everything I’ve seen and heard about the place. Baker legitimately reaches out to every golfer, with instruction programs, classes and camps, including a “Supervised Practice” drop-in program on Wednesday nights for those looking for a quick lesson or tune-up. The head golf professional of a private club just down the street (from Baker National) told me recently, “That course does for the game what every public course should do – use every square foot of its facility to promote long-term relationships with golf… offering opportunities and access to golfers of every skill level and economic background. They “get it” there, they really do, and Twin Cities golf (in general) is better because of systems specifically like that one.”

I’m going to bring up the words “park reserve” one more time, to remind you that you’re not just getting a great course for everyone here but a SCENIC one. The variety of holes is complemented by breaktaking vistas and some pretty challenging risk/reward shots thanks to all the water. When you take into account that you can play the Championship Course for only $45 ($23 for Juniors 17 and under) and the 9-hole course for only $16, it’s safe to say you get plenty of bang for your valuable buck. You can rent clubs, pull carts and even FootGolf balls if you’d like to give that form of golf a shot. There is nothing that I would change of this facility or its operation – no critique… none whatsoever. But I do have one selfish request of the Park System: Provide more golf photography on the website. Show people what they can get. Show people what they’re missing. It’s one thing for me to tell you how beautiful Baker National is, but thousands of words can’t cover what a few aerial and high-res photos could do.

Being the park system that it is, Baker National has plenty of space to cater to group outings (pretty much of any size) with meeting rooms and the organizational capacity for hosting events of 18 holes, 9 holes and even FootGolf. There is a 60-station driving range (with pretty epic views I might add), and a grill and pro shop well-stocked with food and golf supplies, respectively. Grab a burger, drink and some gear here. Stay and play a while.