Last week we visited Phalen Golf Course in St. Paul for the first time in a few years. Course manager and golf professional Nora McGuire said her new course superintendent has made great improvements this year with course conditioning and business has been good. Nora has also been a great supporter of the Women’s Tapemark Golf Event, which was held earlier this week at Southview Country Club.

Phalen first opened in 1917 as a nine hole course and was later expanded to 18. Don Herfort did redesign work in the 1970s and the current par 70 course measures 6,092 yards from the tips, with a rating of 68.4 and a slope of 118. While Phalen lacks length, it makes up for it with tight fairways lined with large, mature trees.

I was a little surprised to find that the grill is closed on weekdays, but they make a mean turkey sandwich to order while you wait.