The Wilderness at Fortune Bay in Top Shape
Earlier this week, I hit the road and headed to one of the most beautiful parts of Minnesota to check in on the folks at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay. If you've not made the trip to this part of the state, it's worth the drive, but be sure to bring your golf clubs (maybe a boat as well if you fish!) because you will find three of the best golf courses in the upper midwest. The Wilderness, like the courses at Giants Ridge, are consistently ranked in Golf Digest's list of top public courses and the reasons are obvious at the moment you walk on the property.Tower, Minnesota is God's country. True Northwoods and totally breathtaking. Set in the middle of the Iron Range, The Wilderness sits on top of granite ridges. There are spectacular views of Lake Vermilion and dense woods filled with white and red pines, evergreens and rock outcroppings that make some of the most dramatic accents. The golf course, designed by Jeffery Brauer, is thoughtful, fair and plenty long at 7,207 yards.
With 4 sets of tees, there's a distance for everyone. While up there, I played from the white tees, at 6,147 yards. Not real long, but plenty challenging. The course right now is in fabulous condition. Tom Beaudry, the general manager, says June was challenging with quite a bit of rain, but what they endured last month is now paying off with a course that is in top condition. I also spent some time talking to sales and marketing director, Leah Tomasetti, who filled me in on their "Name the Signature Hole" contest that's going on. Here's what she had to say:
There's still plenty of summer left in Minnesota and if you're considering a trip to play in the land of 10,000 lakes, be sure to block of some time to hit The Wilderness at Fortune Bay.
One of Minnesota's Best Par 3's
Posted by Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort
If there's a more scenic par three in the state of Minnesota, heck, if there's a more scenic hole in the state, I'd like to see it. The par 3, 17th hole at the Legend course at Giants Ridge is nothing short of sensational. It's one of those holes that is so beautiful, you hate to wreck it with a lousy tee shot. In a recent trip, I made my attempt.-Ed Heil / EMGA Executive Director
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay - A Word from the Superintendent
Posted by The Wilderness at Fortune Bay
Sunny days have made a world of a difference on the golf course over the past few weeks, and from a playability standpoint, the golf course is now truly offering a challenge to all players-particularly when the course is firm and fast. This is much different than most of the month of June, when rainfall and gloomy days made the course soft and slow.Funny how many people say and think that golf courses are easier to manage when rainfall is plentiful. This could not be further from the truth. Wet conditions due to excessive rainfall increase the need for labor inputs such as repairing bunker washouts and mowing with greater frequency. While occasional rainfall is welcome in relief of a long extended dry spell, consistent rainfall on consecutive days only makes us lose control of the playability of the golf course and at times forces the dreaded cart path only ruling. Let us hope that our luck holds with the weather and that summer-like conditions prevail for the rest of the year.
June Winner of the Play & Stay Package
At last we've named and notified our winner of the Explore Minnesota Golf Play & Stay package give away. It's Karen Eslinger from Cadott, Wisconsin. She's won a trip for two at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, MN with play at the award winning course, The Quarry.Congratulations Karen and we look forward to your visit to Minnesota.
Grand View Lodge Celebrates 1,000,000th Golfer
Posted by Grand View Lodge
Twenty-one years ago, Grand View Lodge opened the first championship golf course in the Brainerd Lakes Area, and this weekend, the resort celebrated an important milestone—one million paid golfers have experienced golf at Grand View. Read MoreEnjoy all that Minnesota Has to Offer
Vacations are about relaxing, but they are also opportunities to get out and try new things, have fun, and be adventurous.Minnesota offers attractions from world-class shopping, historic sites, music & theater, museums and of course hundreds of golf courses. Whether you are visiting for a day or have lived here your entire life, you will be sure to find something of interest to do or see in Minnesota.
Plan a family vacation combining visits to the Mall of America in Bloomington with metro area courses; Plan a family getaway to the historic Brainerd Lakes resort region; or get away with the guys to play golf and try your luck at Grand Casino or Fortune Bay.
Learn about some of the best golfing destinations in the Midwest by clicking the links on the right side of this page.
Explore our destinations
Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort
Grand View Lodge
Madden’s on Gull Lake
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay
