Baker National Golf Course – Playground Rules

If you have kids, you’ve probably taken them to a park. If you’re a good parent, you’ve probably researched the best parks in your area. If you live in the Twin Cities one of the best (if not THE best) park/playground for kids is the Hyland Play Area (aka “Chutes & Ladders” park) within the Three Rivers Park District of greater Minneapolis. Throw in their Splash Pad, recreational lake, campground and massive trail system and you’re prone to think, “How could this place possibly get any better?”

Golf. That’s how. The Chutes & Ladders Park MAY fall into the “Best Kept Secret” category among America’s playgrounds, but adventurous parents who are also avid golfers may have additionally stumbled upon yet another awesome Three Rivers Park truth – they have phenomenal golf there too. Specifically speaking, they have Baker National (in Medina) in the heart of Baker Park Preserve.

We’ve all played golf courses that save their “Signature Best” for last. Not Baker National. The Barn Hole that so many talk about… that’s their first hole. It kind of catches you by surprise… by pleasant surprise… even if you know about it (as I did). It is a beautiful opener, slightly downhill, slightly doglegged to a bunker and barn guarded green. Instead of building your anticipation throughout the round they let you know that you’re going to enjoy the round the whole way. You’ll really appreciate that at Baker National.

Knowing you’re within the Three Rivers Park system tells you that this course is likely supernatural… plenty of trees and wildlife with inversely few houses and annoyances. (It IS a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary after all.) What you don’t know (or expect) is just how much OTHER beauty there is scattered throughout your 210-acre golf round. That beauty is hammered home on the front, particularly on the lake-bound stretch of holes from 5 to 7. Players like me always end up in the left trees on 5 and 6, trying to play away from fades typically amplified by water on the right. Those two are tough holes if only because of the ever-present aqua threat, but when you flip the water to the other side (left) as you do on seven…WAIT… forget that. Seven is its own kind of beauty… an absolutely stellar Par 3. Yes, 7 has the lake on the left, but it also has a pond you must carry from the tee. Seven is a hole I can’t take enough pictures of. Seven is my favorite hole at Baker National.

Lest you be worried that seven is the pinnacle of the experience though, it isn’t. Truthfully, there is plenty of great golf the rest of the way. Another truth… I tend to struggle with trees. (I hit them even when they’re not in the way.) There are many tree-lined corridors at Baker National, a beauty element that becomes slightly beastly when you’re erratic off the tee. What I appreciate about how they are used in the design here though, is how they funnel you out to wider landing areas. Hole after hole, intimidating tee shots reveal comfortable and score-friendly approaches… a reality that REALLY helps you your second time around. And I’d like to point out a few “signatures” on the back quick – like the Par 3, 12^th hole, the daunting marsh-guarded Par 4, 14^th AND the all-crazy-carry Par 3, 15^th. As I said, Baker National may reward you with the memorable early, but they also keep the memory bank open late.

The best park systems in the country have something for everyone, and in the golf sense Baker National delivers there too. In addition to the championship 18, Baker also has the Evergreen Course – a Par 30, 9-hole “short course” that tips out at 1855 yards. Short on time or perhaps on golfing experience, the Evergreen Executive Course is a friendly tune-up. Or, you can tune up at their practice areas and/or driving range.

Another noteworthy attribute of Baker National is their association with the First Tee. I mention that specifically now because they host a First Tee Charity Open in August (August 13 this year) with an auction, tournament and dinner that is super fun if you like eating, golfing and spending your money on a worthy cause (that furthers the game of golf for the next generation). Baker has a Golf Academy, golf leagues, and even FootGolf now on their Evergreen Course… a plethora of admirable assets all intended to get your attention.

If you’ve been to Baker National already, you already know it is fun and score-friendly. For a little more fun though, I thought it was worth leaving you with this: Baker National was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, one of the brilliant architects behind Erin Hills in Wisconsin – the host of last year’s US Open. Go play it already (or again.)