Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2022 - 25

" I had my eye on that land for a while, " says Hoffmann, who
operates his own course design business (scotthoffmanngolf.com).
" The landowner Nathan Tuomi called saying he was considering
selling the land after the 2015 storm hurt his logging income there.
His youngest son, Sam, thought they should build an extreme golf
driving range. When I toured the property, I suggested an extreme
par 3 course. The family agreed, and we started a few weeks later. "
The 60-acre site is a former gravel pit and was perfect for a 13-hole
short course. According to Klecatsky (who installed irrigation and
seeded, fertilized and took charge of the grow-in), the site required
minimal earth moving, its sandy soil allowed them to seed right into
it and they chose a fescue grass that was environmentally beneficial.
" The Fine Fescue grass is a low water, low chemical input grass, "
Klecatsky says. " We want this to be very sustainable and good for
the environment. It's made the play firm and fast, so people will be
able to play shots along the ground if they choose. The 3-way bent
grass blend on the greens make for good putting surfaces. "
When Hoffmann first walked the property, it was quite chopped
up, but he " could see par 3 holes everywhere. " The Tuomi's wanted
" extreme, " so that is where he took it.
" Many golf courses have a par 3 (such as the 17th island green at
TPC Sawgrass) that gets your juices flowing from the very first hole, "
Hoffmann says. " Our goal was to have 13 holes like that. Every time
I thought I was getting too extreme, Nathan encouraged me to stay
the course. Some are template holes, such as a reverse redan, double
plateau, blind (modeled on the
Himalayas at Prestwick) and
" rolling terror " and some are
unique to the property God
gave us. "
The challenging track
(which had a limited preview
last fall) is scheduled to open
mid-April.
" This is not your average par 3 course, " says Dvorak, who owns
Whispering Pines GC in Annandale. " It's kind of extreme. You'll
be able to get to the greens in one; you're not necessarily getting
down in one. "
The 13-hole course also features a 13-hole " extreme putting
course " and a clubhouse with panoramic views of the rugged, North
woods terrain. Klecatsky says the 13-hole routing, which had been
done at Bandon Dunes (but rarely elsewhere in the U.S.), gives the
clientele another exciting option to keep their golf experience rolling.
Hoffmann agrees:
" It didn't have to be exactly 13, but we definitely didn't want 9 or
18. We wanted a golf course that was made for match play-gambler's
style-not something where you even think about your total
score. Everyone feels like they can score on a par 3, so it is exciting
to have that possibility of conquering a difficult hole. The Pete Dye
philosophy of great risk for great reward. "
" This is not your
average par 3 course.
It's kind of extreme. "
-Mark Dvorak
TEE OFF FOR A GETAWAY!
Stay and Play Golf Packages
This season, enjoy a round of golf at Dacotah Ridge Golf Club! With a beautiful prairie
landscape and expansive emerald fairways, this 18-hole championship course offers an
exciting challenge for golfers of all levels. Then, after a day on the links, stay the night!
Sunday - Thursday
Packages start at $85 per person for one
night, one round of golf, double occupancy.
Packages start at $109 for single occupancy.
Friday & Saturday
Packages start at $104 per person for one
night, one round of golf, double occupancy.
Packages start at $139 for single occupancy.
All packages include guest room, golf
with cart, range access, club cleaning,
and a Wabasha Creek restaurant or pro
shop coupon. Specific packages may
also include Free Play.
Subject to state and local taxes.
Customized package available.
®
mngolf.org
Spring 2022 MINNESOTAGOLFER
25

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Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2022