Chomonix – Something For Everyone

During the 10 years I’ve been writing for Tee Times, I’ve had the chance to play many different golf courses. There’s no way I can remember every hole I’ve played or my exact score on each of them, but what I do remember is the overall sense of the course. Did I like it? Was it fair? What condition was it in? These are the questions that run through my mind as I recall the places I’ve teed it up, and that’s what I try to present to you as I write about a particular golf course. The thing is, sometimes I really can’t remember much of the course, and that’s not a good sign. My memory functions fairly well, but if I can’t remember much of a course, then there must not be much about the course that’s very memorable. Such is definitely not the case at Chomonix Golf Course. Located in Lino Lakes, just east of 35W between Circle Pines and Centerville, it is a course that will challenge you no matter your ability. Chomonix truly has something for everyone. I won’t forget Chomonix!

For The Above Average Golfer

You’ll love the greens and variety of holes. Nothing ruins a round quicker than a course with greens that are bumpy or in poor shape. No worries here. The greens at Chomonix are lush and smooth and birdies are available for putts that are struck well. My nephew Joe and his buddy Frank found several when we were there a few weeks ago.

As for the individual holes, there’s a little of everything. There are reachable par fives like #13, par three holes ranging from 130 to 200 yards and par four holes that dogleg right and left. If you’re going to go low, you’ll have to be able to work the ball to the left and to the right. It’s a course that will challenge your ability to make the right swing at the right time.

For The Straight Hitter

You’ll love #5 and #7 on the front, and #17 and #18. The par five 5^th might dare long hitters to go for it in two, but the double dogleg will keep them honest. Straight hitters should follow the fairway on the first two shots, which will leave a short iron to the green. #7 is a short par four that will yield pars and birdies if you keep it in the fairway off the tee.

The round ends with two very tight holes each at about 350-370 yards. 17 is a dogleg left where you’ll want to hit your tee shot about 220 to leave a short iron to the recently-renovated green. And #18 is a copy of the previous hole except it turns to the right. Despite the relatively short length of each hole, it’s a tough finish to your round if you can’t find the fairway. If you’re down in your match, you have a chance to pick up a few over your opponent who can’t hit it straight.

For Those Who Haven’t Been There In A Few Years

Come to Chomonix to check out the improvements. Chris Bettinger, Golf Operations Supervisor at Chomonix, says the county has removed over 1,000 trees from the golf course in the past few years. While some were sick, many others weren’t. “Now I like trees,” says Bettinger, “but some of them had encroached too much into the golf course.” He says the county plans on more tree removal in the future. Besides the ongoing tree work, the course recently rebuilt the green on the par three 6^th hole and the previously mentioned #17. Both these new greens are looking great.

For The Occasional Golfer

If you don’t play very often and are just out for some fun, Chomonix has you covered. For three years in a row, “The Beer Show” has voted Chomonix as the course with the best selection of beers to choose from. According to Bettinger, they are up to 100 different choices. No matter what you’re craving, they’ll have just the beer for you.

If you’re looking for a cheap, fun night out, check out their “Friday Night Out” special where $10 will get you all you can play after 6:00 p.m. A coupon will even allow you to go an hour early for the same price.

For 9 Holers

If 18 holes isn’t your thing, Chomonix has something for you too. The “9 for $9” deal gets you nine holes for just 9 bucks on Mondays from 2:00 – 4:00 and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 3:00.

For Everyone

More than anything, making your way up to Chomonix will be worth it, no matter the reason for going there. With a wide assortment of memorable and challenging holes, you’ll be happy you went.