Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2014 - 22

3 13th for golfers not confi dent in being
able to negotiate the forced-carry drive
from the back tees.
" I try to make courses playable for the
less-skilled player but more challenging
for the better golfer, " Mandell says. " A
lot of architects feel you cannot have the
best of both worlds, and I vehemently
disagree with that. I feel we accomplished
it at Keller. "
Concern over the course's history became
apparent to Mandell on hole No.
4, with its iconic oak tree that was made
famous by Gene Sarazen, who once took
a 10 there. Mandell was surprised by the
huge tree in front of the green. During
initial walk-throughs with Keller golfers,
he polled them, saying " Alright, show of
hands: who wants the tree? " When all
but three out of 100 raised their hands,
he decided that he didn't have enough
support to " get out of there alive, " so he
went with the majority.
plish, " says Greg Mack, director of Parks
and Recreation for Ramsey County. " We
wanted people to say, 'What did they do?'
We want people to feel it's a rebirth of
the old. "
But once inside, golfers will appreciMississippi
National
ate the new digs. The clubhouse features
expanded spaces and a new restaurant,
banquet facility, spacious patio, a muchimproved
grill and menu, plenty of room
for Keller's long history to be displayed
and great views of the golf.
" It's just a spectacular view from the
main banquet room, " Mack says. " They
were able to capture all the views of the
golf course-the 9 and 18 greens, No. 10
tee-it's all there right in front of you. "
Mack has been involved with the entire
project since the early stages of 2008
and said one key was getting golfers involved
at the beginning, despite their
varied opinions.
the community and the course-which
was originally built with taxpayer
money. Revenues will come from green
fees (to be set at 2012 levels), and
profi ts will all go back into the course.
In a tough economy, the RWMCG
" It is a daunting responsibility to
do it right and not mess it up. This
is better than it was. The history is
still there; it hasn't changed. "
-Greg Mack
This green was extended in the back
(recapturing its original shape) to help
more tee balls stay on, and the cart path
was moved to the left side of the hole,
creating an alternate shot to the green by
bumping a ball off a mound on the right.
" I have a new appreciation for the tree,
because it really is an interesting hazard
based on trajectory, " Mandell says. " It's a
short golf hole, but it really demands a
certain trajectory, which I had never really
put much importance on-so I kind
of like that. "
The new clubhouse should look familiar.
Its exterior of white shakes with
green trim sitting high above Highway
61 was made to look like its predecessor.
" That's what we wanted to accom " I
know people involved in the process
appreciated the opportunity, " he says.
" They experienced the challenges of the
responsibility of this old golf course on
their shoulders. It is kind of a daunting
responsibility to do it right and not mess
it up. This is better than it was. The history
is still there; it hasn't changed. "
Mack is excited for the re-opening in
June, which is slated to have plenty of
local dignitaries on hand. Perhaps it will
attract some old golfi ng greats, which
would be appropriate for Keller, home
to so many big-name golfers of the past.
" Playing there is walking with the
legends, " Mack says. " It's always had
that feel about it, and it'll feel that way
again. "
MG
20
MINNESOTA GOLFER Spring 2014
still has a diffi cult road ahead-but
Pinsonneault says they have been
working for three years because they
know that the course is too valuable
to lose.
" If we can bring people back into
town it will help everybody, " she says.
" That is our goal, to bring back the
course and make it the community
asset it has been and should be in the
future. " -J.O.
Mississippi National
Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2014

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