After taking a few days off to recover from the Women’s Open, we are back.

For the Fourth of July holiday, Golfing in Minnesota headed north to Grand Rapids. After playing Sugarbrooke and Eagle Ridge last year, we hit the other two Grand Rapids area courses this year: Pokegama and Wendigo.

Our first round was played at the city-owned Pokegama Golf Course, located on Pokegama Lake. The lake doesn’t really come into play much on the course, but can be seen from several holes.

I had heard the pace of play on this course can be a little slow and there were some issues on the front nine. I think the course gets a lot of local play, as rates are reasonable compared to resort courses (we paid a non-resident 18 hole walking rate of $31.95).

The course was in great condition for a municipal course – well-maintained and very green and lush throughout. The Brauer and Associates design plays just over 6,100 yards from the white tees and is rated 68.5 with a slope of 117. The staff we came in contact with were all very friendly.

7MM Pokegama Photo Gallery

A few weeks ago, we went with our friends to see The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde at the Guthrie’s Proscenium Stage. That was the only stage at the new Guthrie that I hadn’t been in, and it was very nice: red everywhere, comfortable seats, good sight lines and strong acoustics.

We got there about an hour early to get rush tickets, which worked perfectly – four seats together for $20 a seat. The theater got some of that money back in concessions, but I was disappointed that none of the restaurants (both in the theater and those nearby) were open after the performance.

The show itself was entertaining. You really can’t go wrong with anything at the Guthrie, but I didn’t know much about this play beyond what I had read about Oscar Wilde on Wikipedia.

Very interesting character, which led to an interesting play that jumps around in time. The on-stage musicians and four puppeteers helped tie transitions together and the three primary actors were all enjoyable to watch.

The Thomas Kilroy play runs through July 11th (ticket information here).