The Bucket List At Troy Burne

Everybody has a bucket list. Whether they call it that or not, it’s there. It can be written down on a piece of paper or buried in the subconscious, but it’s definitely there. If you happen to be a golfer who embraces the game whole heartily, then Troy Burne should be on your list. Thankfully most of us golf heads have checked that box but if you haven’t, it’s go time. This place is everything you’ve heard it is… and more.

Golf Digest magazine would agree with that as they have placed it in their prestigious 100 Top Public Golf Courses ranking at #69. This is the benchmark that is considered the true test. Those of us along the border can argue all day about who is going to win the NFC North, the Pack or the Vikes, but no one in the St. Croix Valley argues about where to play golf. Troy Burne is the standard bearer for high-end public golf.

Perhaps it’s the dual nature of a wide-open, berm-lined front nine paired with a tree populated, water-challenged back nine that somehow dovetails all-together into 18 Championship holes. Tom Lehman and his design partners Hurdzan and Fry have pulled off this dual personality magic and we are the benefactors – PGA golf on a public scale.

Maybe it’s not that surprising given the PGA pedigree and the unwavering commitment of the Troy Burne staff. Dave Tentis, PGA Head Professional has been at the helm of operations for a number of years. Dave’s background as a PGA TOUR player (including playing in three of the four Majors) is coupled with two-time Minnesota PGA Player of the Year Brent Snyder. That combination of playing experience and passion is key to keeping the bar on course conditions and overall player experience set extremely high. Add to that the Lehman directed design, which offers equal parts muscle, precision and smarts and boom… you have a nationally ranked course. Tom’s design has a built-in secret called ‘the Lehman sweet spot.’ With enough drive off the tee and a bit of draw those fairways will provide an extra 20-30 yards in distance assuming you can crest a small rise and reach the downhill rollout. It can make those second shots a whole lot easier.

The round starts with a par opportunity on a 561-yard par 5. Then the alarms goes off on hole #2 as you are facing a very tough 421 yard par 4 that has a pond all the way up the left side. That one-two punch is typical of the give and take nature of Troy Burne. The front nine continues with a series of recessed, berm-lined fairways that will dare you to cut corners and but caution you with bunker-filled landing areas (120 total on the course). The rough, that looks so innocent and beautifully cut from the tee box is deep, deep, deep and it will make you pay. This is where course management is everything and why the course finds itself on so many skilled players ‘must play list.’ The front nine closes with another stadium type green, but only after you’ve hit a good drive and a monster second shot on this 455-yard par 4.

The back nine kicks off with a fantastic three-hole stretch that may be unrivaled anywhere in the Twin Cities as an example of exemplary design, requiring a variety of shot making skills. Number 10 is a par 4, 390 yarder with waste bunkers down the left side and an undulating fairway. The par 3, 11^th is a 150-yard downhill look with virtually zero room for error and a spectacular stand of pines as a visual backdrop. The short par 5 #12 has the built-in Lehman sweet spot which is great because the green is basically an island with water on three sides and it’s nice to have a reasonable chance to get home in two. Its stretches like this that makes you stop and really appreciate the game and the architects that go the extra mile to make it so enjoyable.

Dave and the entire staff have worked very hard to achieve the reputation and ranking that Troy Burne has come to earn. This year they were awarded hosting duties for a U.S. Open Qualifier. They will also be hosting the second of only two Tee It Up for the Troops events held in Wisconsin this year in August.

On the hosting and venue side, Troy Burne has seating for up to 300 people with panoramic views of the course and a welcoming outdoor cocktail patio. There are plenty of landscaped areas ideal for wedding photos. All of this has added up to a steadily growing wedding business and more accolades in the form of awards including the 2018 Luxury Travel Countryside Venue of the Year and the 2018 Wedding Wire Couples Choice Award.

For some, Troy Burne will go beyond memorable status and become the venue where lifelong commitments are celebrated. For the golfing community it is a bucket list experience that should be played, not just dreamed about.