Gopher Hills Golf Course – A 27 Gun Salute
By E. Nolan
They don’t literally fire 27 guns when you play Gopher Hills in Cannon Falls, but YOU will be firing away on 27 holes there and saluting the experience afterwards. With Dr. Gordon Emerson’s original nine (1995) complemented by a 1999 expansion of 18 Garrett Gill holes (including an executive nine) this facility (just 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities, between Hastings and Red Wing) lets you fearlessly play attack golf all day long!
As one of the three courses on the scenic River Valley Golf Trail (with Clifton Highlands and Red Wing Golf Course), Gopher Hills (to me) was the most fun beginning to end, with each of the three nines being so different from the others, and so many intriguing pins to take on across each set. Each of the three RVGT facilities has it’s own marquee attraction, and Gopher’s strength sure seems to be “diversity of design.” Gopher Hills has always appealed to me as being just far enough out of the cities (both from Rochester and the Twin Cities) and yet close enough for a direct drive and quick round. If you have the time to take on more than one of the RVGT courses, consider the great Stay & Play opportunities afforded by their partnership with AmericInn of Red Wing and the Nichols Inns in Red Wing and Hastings. (With their Unlimited Golf Pass you can get even more exceptional values.)
It’s no slight to the other two courses on the RVGT to say Gopher Hills is “the most fun” because part of the fun to me is in Gopher’s exceptional “Kids Play Free” program. As a national advocate for youth golf, and with three young golfers in my family, I LOVE that up to three kids can play free with a paying adult on Gopher’s Executive Course (with holes ranging in length from 95 yards to 320). Gopher Hills clearly gets that KIDS are the future of our game, and wants them to have the same quality of experience that the rest of us get on their Championship course! The same genuine welcome goes for novices and amateurs of all ages – Gopher Hills welcomes you with a tee box arrangement to help you succeed and guest service to please, AND they offer the instructional services (on Saturdays) of local golf “legend” Pete Hendrickson, whose Golf Simpler method will quickly and easily help you find a groove. (Contact: Pete@gopherhills.com for more info.)
“We have a hidden gem in the middle of the corn fields,” says Ben Bauer, Head Golf Professional. “People turn the corner and see the course and our beautiful clubhouse and think, ‘Wow!’ They’re not expecting what we have to offer. You really have to come and see for yourself.”
I have “seen for myself” a few times, and have always been impressed by the course condition, and by how differently each nine plays. When you break it down by style, there’s a “Links” nine, a “Traditional” nine and an “Executive” nine. Like the other RVGT courses, the staff here seems especially well trained, extremely hospitable and friendly far above the norm. That professionalism and “Jack/Jill of all trades” preparedness translates well to their wedding, banquet, holiday party and event hosting something I would love to experience for myself one of these days. Gopher Hills has to be a great place for a scramble/best ball event! Some of those holes…
For the most part they are all enjoyable, as good scores are there to be gotten, but… to highlight a couple holes on each side: The third is fun with its elevated green (club up), and seven is a dramatic Par 5 with beauty and trouble everywhere (my favorite on the front… the website photo doesn’t do it justice). Ten is a drivable Par 4 (sometimes by accident) as easy as 11 is hard. Eleven’s split fairways give you two distinctly different options of attack, neither of which guarantees success (LOL). One of my favorite photographs on the course is the uphill 12th from the tee box. (One of Emerson’s best designs ever!) Hole 14 makes you feel like you’re in Italy (at least it does me) and… if I had to pick a back nine favorite it might be 18 – a challenging conclusion with danger constantly lurking.
If everything above doesn’t make Gopher Hills “special enough” here are a couple other special offers to consider: Monday-Friday Seniors get 18 holes with cart for only $25, and Thursdays you can get 18 holes with cart AND three beers for $28.
Speaking of beers. The Pub at Gopher Hills is open 11-4, seven days a week, with burgers, wraps, salads, sandwiches, apps and plenty of drinks. Take the photo tour on the website when you have a chance and drive on down for a fun round with friends.
