Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2010 - 26

( Metro Tour: Part 2
Rush Creek has hosted three LPGA events as well as
the 2004 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.
to design their own courses. And there
were a few farm families ready to reinvent
their highly valued farmland into
golf courses as well.
In 1983, Oak Glen and Sawmill
opened in Stillwater, followed in 1985
by Wedgewood in nearby Woodbury.
Owner Dave Mooty acquired Wedgewood
in 1996 and renamed it Prestwick.
" Our intention was to target the
mid- to upper-end of daily fee customers,
so we did some renovations, built
a new clubhouse and added the upperend
Axel's Restaurant, " he says.
In 1986, notable golf course architect
Joel Goldstrand (see sidebar) crafted
Rum River Hills. Deer Run (see sidebar)
opened in 1989, as well as Goldstrand's
Fox Hollow, Stonebrooke in
Shakopee (see sidebar) and Pheasant
Acres in Rogers.
The 1990s brought on such quality
courses as Southern Hills and Valley
View and another Goldstrand design,
The Links at Northfork.
The end of that decade saw the introduction
of the bold, linksy effort at
Mississippi Dunes, Oak Marsh and
the venerable Rush Creek, which has
hosted three LPGA events as well as the
2004 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.
Heritage Links of Lakeville
was designed by Goldstrand in 1997
and developed by the family that had
farmed the land for generations.
The new millennium began with
a fl urry of daily fee developments in
the metro area. Emerald Greens (see
sidebar) opened its 36-hole complex
in Hastings, The Refuge rolled out
its course,
and Tanners Brook and
Vintage all came on board that year.
Logger's Trail in Stillwater came online
in 2003.
During this period, a few courses retained
nationally recognized architects
and designers. Stoneridge GC in Stillwater
favored prominent designer Bobby
Weed for its enjoyable links course.
The Wilds in Shakopee commissioned
former PGA Tour player and British
Open champion Tom Weiskopf and
24
MINNESOTAGOLFER Spring 2010
Valley View GC
N DEER RUN, VICTORIA
Deer Run is noted for its trademarked FastPlay
Fridays, in which players must play
the front nine in 1:55 or they're 86ed from
the course. Tom Abts, the golf professional
and general manager, explains that " Friday
rounds should be 3:50 here. " Now, Fridays
are the course's highest revenue day.
Deer Run is located in a classic
Minnesota setting, between
Lakes Bavaria, Church
and Wasserman. The
golf course is home to
one of the largest MGA
associate member golf
clubs and has hosted
the MGA Senior Tour, as well
as several men's and women's
public golf association championships.
JOEL GOLDSTRAND:
DAILY DESIGNER
Worthington native Joel Goldstrand
met with moderate success
on the PGA Tour-but he has had tremendous success
shaping Minnesota landscapes into more than 50 golf
courses, including at least 10 daily fee metro courses.
Goldstrand is known for maximizing the use of unique
landscapes. His work on The Ridges at Sand Creek is a
great example. The course leads off with a couple of links
holes, then drops down off a 'ridge' to a parkland experience.
" It was just great working with Joel, " says Mike Malone,
longtime pro and owner of The Ridges. " Not only is he
a genuinely good guy, but working with someone local was
outstanding. He was here at least twice a week and had a
great rapport with the builders. It really made for a smooth
operation. "
Ridges at
Sand Creek
Deer Run
GC
Heritage Links is another example of Goldstrand's
creativity, as well as the commitment of a longtime
Lakeville farming family. As the value of their metroarea
farmland soared and residential sprawl encroached,
they had to make some decisions. The
fi rst was to call Goldstrand. Known for " using
what's there, " he saw the rolling hills and wetlands
as a great opportunity.
Even with his PGA Tour creds and PGA/MGA Hall
of Fame status, Goldstrand's most signifi cant legacy
in the Gopher State may be the many courses he's already
designed, as well as the projects he has yet to complete.
www.mngolf.org
PHOTO BY PETER WONG
PHOTO BY PETER WONG
PHOTO BY PAUL MARKERT
http://www.mngolf.org http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2010

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