Wouldn’t it be great to make an investment that continues to pay dividends 100 years later? In 1917, and then again in 1929, the City of St. Paul invested in two new golf courses, one next to Lake Phalen and one by Como Lake. Now 103 and 91 years later, Phalen and Como Golf Courses are enjoying successful seasons as golfers play these Capital City favorites.

Phalen and Como fly in the face of the adage that bigger is better. Phalen pulls its eastside shoulders back stretching 6,092 yards from the tips. Como proves that enduring things can come in small packages while playing at 5,861 yards.

What’s the reason behind the long-running success of these St. Paul gems? Tee Times gathered with Tim Kuebelbeck and Chris Bettinger of Foursome Golf Management Group to talk about Phalen and Como’s histories, highlights, and how the courses are faring since COVID-19.

A Banner 2020

In 2014, Phalen and Como Golf Courses’ bottom lines looked bleak. Foursome Golf Management Group met with the City of St. Paul to partner and develop an operational formula that would turn the two courses futures in the right direction. By 2018, through this partnership, both courses’ bottom lines were in the black.

Fast forward to today, and St. Paul’s dynamic duo of Phalen and Como are reveling in the golf renaissance spurred on by COVID-19 and golf’s natural social distancing formula. “On the Friday before April 19, the day Minnesota’s golf courses opened for business, our tee sheet was full in a matter of hours. Golfers were so happy to play and just be outdoors,” Chris Bettinger, Como’s Golf Manager said.

Opening Day was no fluke. Phalen and Como have enjoyed consistent play every day since. This is despite the fact that food and beverage offerings are temporarily pared down. “Through the first week in July, Phalen and Como’s rounds are up significantly compared to 2019. This is partly due to players looking for an escape out of quarantine, due to COVID-19, but also much drier weather than the previous season,” Foursome Golf Management’s co-owner Tim Kuebelbeck said.

City Golf That Makes Other Cities Drool

Kuebelbeck and Bettinger have discovered that a picturesque 18-hole round at Phalen or Como is a Minnesota municipal phenomenon. “Hardly a week goes by that a golfer from outside Minnesota doesn’t tell me that Phalen and Como deliver exceptional customer service and course conditions compared to their cities’ offerings. We’re told how lucky players in Minnesota have it compared to players in other parts of the country,” Kuebelbeck said.

The settings of the two courses both benefit from surroundings that include picturesque lakes, bike and walking trails, wildlife, and mature trees. In the case of Como, there’s the added draw of Como Conservatory and Como Zoo being just a five iron away. “From our seventh green, it’s not unusual to hear lions roaring or flamingos squawking,” Bettinger said.

Both golf courses weave amiably through their respective neighborhoods. The homes and residents mutually benefit from the 18-hole assets the city of St. Paul created in the early 1900s. Golfers experience a landscape of superb fairways, tidy houses, and infrastructure that compares favorably with neighborhoods in Minnesota’s most exclusive enclaves.

Distinguished Hires

Phalen distinguished itself back in 1982 when it hired Nora McGuire as their golf professional. At the time McGuire was one of only a handful of Minnesota female golf professionals. McGuire not only worked at Phalen for 28 years, she served as the LPGA’s National President in 2000.

Ask Kuebelbeck and Bettinger who their most valuable players are, and the chances are good you’ll get the same answer. Como Golf Course Superintendent Jeremiah Ergen and Phalen Golf Course Superintendent Jeff Hable annually exceed expectations. Both contribute to Foursome Golf Management success by maintaining course conditions at Como, Phalen, and their newest addition, Castlewood Golf Course in Forest Lake. When playing any of three courses you’ll see what customers are raving about and what Ergen and Hable bring to the table.

Visit Castlewood, Phalen or Como and you’ll view COVID-19 protocol working to precision. The staffs at the three courses love what they do, and their goal is for golfers to play in an enjoyable, memorable, and safe environment.

Looking Back On Best Scores

Every golf course eventually gives into a golfer who plays “in the zone.” When Como and Phalen look back into the annals of their scorecard history books, there are two golfers who took these storied 18-hole layouts deep.

Como’s lowest score is hotly contested. Some say Rob Norris’s 62 deserves the trophy. This is especially true since Norris carded the same score on back-to-back days. But research shows that former St. Thomas University golfer, John Treacy, holds the Como record with a nine under par 61 in 2007.

Phalen’s lowest score is held by Austin native, and PGA TOUR Pro Jon Chafee. The Minnesota Golf Hall of Famer shot a 59 in the St. Paul Open held at Phalen in 1988. As you might guess, Chafee keeps the scorecard safely tucked away in his home.

Food, Beer, And Good Cheer

From a revenue standpoint, Phalen and Como Golf Courses are looking forward to the day that COVID-19 regulations allow a golfer to savor their round over a burger or beverage. In the meantime, Como’s Cozy’s Pub offers golfers a daily special that is sure to satisfy.

Como’s Food and Beverage Manager Jon Olson wants golfers to know that his pavilion-style clubhouse showcases one of the best views in the city. “Our wraparound deck features views of the 18^th hole that can’t be beat. Golfers, residents, and vacationers come here to enjoy the view and sample from our current menu,” Olson said.

Cozy’s daily specials include Happy Hour from 2:00 to 6:00 and all day long on Mondays. Olson proudly presents an array of local food and beverage items including craft beers, Von Hanson pretzels, Ellsworth cheese curds, and Lovejoy Bloody Marys.

Another Lake, Another Course, Another Partnership

This year, Foursome Golf Management Group was approached by the City of Forest Lake to gauge their interest in expanding their golf course management portfolio. Castlewood Golf Course would become the next chapter in Foursome Golf Management Group’s ongoing public/private partnership with municipalities. Golfers should know that Castlewood is the baby in the Foursome portfolio at just 85 years young.

Castlewood is led by Zach Siggelkow, the son of Foursome’s late co-founder Don Siggelkow. The course, known as “The Rock,” is a Par 36, nine-hole championship layout.

With the clock ticking on our summer golf season, Kuebelbeck has some friendly advice for those who have never played Phalen, Como or Castlewood. “There’s a vibrant quality to our courses. We appreciate our relationship with the City of St. Paul, the City of Forest Lake, and the players that call these courses home. If you’ve never played Como, Castlewood or Phalen, you really need to make the trip.” Kuebelbeck said.