Minnesota offers quality, affordable golf in every nook and cranny. There's a bounty of beautiful courses across that state that offer fine golf at very reasonable green fees.
Using the common denominators of excellent course conditions, golf challenge, and nice clubhouse facilities, here are some suggestions for the 2006 season, including weekday/weekend green fees.
Northeast
Wendigo, Grand Rapids. Stay-and-play packages are available at the on-site Wendigo Lodge, but daily green fees at this fine course make it one of the best golf values in Minnesota. The course is immaculate and features several notable holes, particularly the par 3 seventh with a 180-yard carry over a marsh to a triple-tiered green. Casual and fine dining are available at the Fairways Restaurant & Lounge in the beautiful log clubhouse. www.wendigogolfclub.com
Eagle Ridge, Coleraine. This classic layout on the Iron Range offers woods and water aplenty. Steep elevation changes also heighten the challenge and scenery, and a nice clubhouse overlooks Trout Lake, which comes into play on several holes. The course's large greens also provide a nice welcome for approach shots. www.golfeagleridge.com
Lakeview National Golf Course, Two Harbors. It's worth the green fee just to savor the views of Lake Superior from 14 of Lakeview National's 18 holes! This track is a perfect gateway golf round en route to the muscular 27 holes at Superior National at Lutsen. Speaking of muscular, pump up for Lakeview National's 546-yard, par 5 fourteenth hole. www.lakeviewnationalgolfcourse.com
Falls Country Club, International Falls. One of the northernmost 18s in the state delivers an excellent golf product. The Falls course brings water into play on 10 of 18 holes that traverse an aspen and pine forest. Just when you think you've hit the home stretch you encounter water hazards on six of seven finishing holes, after which Mulligan's Grill & Bar beckons. www.fallscc.com
Northwest
Territory Golf Club, St. Cloud. An impressive 12,000 square foot, lodge-style clubhouse features dramatic views of a rolling golf layout with wide fairways and gargantuan, undulating greens. Lateral water hazards on six holes and challenging topography and elevation changes make it a quality test of skills. This is a premier golf experience for very affordable rates. www.territorygc.com
Thumper Pond Golf Course, Ottertail. Transplanting thousands of mature pine trees has created an impressive forest setting for Thumper Pond. Its 6600 yards of excellent golf in a resort atmosphere make it one of the state's better golf values. Holes wind through the man-made pine forest, and the par 5 finishing hole is 501 yards from the Red Pine Restaurant and Eagle View Lounge in the clubhouse. The property also has an on-site Comfort Suites, which has great stay-and-play deals, the Serene Woods Spa and an indoor water park. www.thumperpond.com
Whitefish Golf Course, Pequot Lakes. Even with the numerous resort courses in the Brainerd Lakes area, Whitefish still remains a must play. Its 18 holes thread through a Norway Pine forest and are known to be among the most picturesque in Minnesota. In 2001, Golf Digest awarded Whitefish four stars for "Best Golfing Value." www.whitefishgolf.com
Oakcrest Golf Course, Roseau. This northern tier track has two distinct nines designed by Minnesota native and former PGA Tour player Joel Goldstrand. The front of the course links style with wide open spaces plus mounding and slick greens. The backside is woody and tight along the Roseau River. www.oakcrestgolfcourse.com
South
Little Crow Country Club, Spicer. The Little Crow Lakes area surrounding Green Lake is a mecca for outdoor recreation. The Willows, Lakes and Pines nines at Little Crow Country Club deliver 27 holes of enjoyable but challenging golf. The Willows to Pines track has water in play on 12 of 18 holes and the Oaks nine is woodier with narrow fairways. Its clubhouse affords a soothing, panoramic and elevated view of sunsets over the golf course. www.littlecrowgolf.com
Summit Golf Club, Cannon Falls. Golf Digest's 2002 "Best New Affordable" course still lives up to that recognition. Layers of limestone are exposed by the crafting of waterfalls, bridges and tunnels that give this golf course its unique character. Significant elevation changes add more luster to the natural feel at the Summit. See the "kids play free" special on their website. www.summitgolfclub.com
Cedar Valley Golf Course, Winona. The beauty of the bluffs and hills of southeast Minnesota come into play here. This attractive course, the southernmost 18 on the south shore of the Mississippi River, has three nines: Trout's Run, Treasure Island and the 3500-yard Green Monster, each playing to a par 36. www.cedarvalleymn.com
Willinger's, Northfield. An affordable green fee at a course highly regarded by Golf Digest (4 ½ stars "Best Places to Play"), Willinger's is a secluded and scenic golf ramble among woods, wetlands and water hazards. This is championship golf at its best, with a course rating and slope of 74.4/150 from the tips! www.willingersgc.com
Minneapolis/St Paul
Keller Golf Course, Saint Paul. This hilly, tough but enjoyable course was once a stop on the PGA Tour, and retains this historic aura. The neat, throwback clubhouse contains an extensive collection of photos and memorabilia from the 1930-1968 St. Paul Open. Sam Snead, Doug Sanders and other golf greats played here, enhancing its reputation as a golf value. www.ramseycountygolf.com
Braemar Golf Course, Edina. Located in an urban 500-acre parkland, Braemar boasts 27 holes of championship golf plus two executive nines and extensive practice facilities. Highly rated by Golf Digest magazine, the secluded course is ten minutes from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America.
www.ci.edina.mn.us
Tanners Brook, Forest Lake. North of St. Paul, Tanner's Brook has wide fairways, friendly rough and quick but large greens on a scenic track that is maintained like a private country club. www.tannersbrook.com
Baker National, Medina. Just northwest of Minneapolis, Baker National is a natural golf experience, with scenic vistas in a large park reserve. The front nine is relatively open with Lake Spurzem in view, and the back is a parkland nine with tiered greens.