Logo golf ball pyramid, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Practice green, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Spring Aerification Day (May 15, 2012), Twelfth Green, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

#1 in Minnesota, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

http://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga12/event/mnpga122/contest/10/leaderboard.htm

Today our usual Saturday group headed to Chaska to play Bluff Creek Golf Course. According to my score database, the last time I played there was August 4, 2001. Nothing much has changed (although they may have remodeled the clubhouse).

The front nine was uneventful – two pars and seven bogeys. The weather was beautiful (sunny and upper sixties with a light breeze), pace of play was good (especially for how many people were playing) and the greens were nice (although I’m not a fan of their contouring).

I had a nice tee shot at the par 3 eleventh hole and remember taking a picture of the green with my iPhone. After hitting my second shot on the twelfth, I realized my phone wasn’t in my golf bag. It also wasn’t in my pocket or anywhere nearby.

I retraced my steps back to the previous green, but couldn’t find it. My friends called it (the ringer was on), but we couldn’t hear it. I let them play on while I continued to search. Several groups passed by and I told each one I was looking for a phone. I decided to catch up with the other guys and check in the clubhouse afterwards.

After the round, no one had turned it in yet, so I asked to use their computer to login to the Find My iPhone site, which showed it at the corner of 101 and Creekwood Drive. I figured that was maybe just the closest tower, so I sent a message (with alarm) to the phone asking them to return it, then headed back out to the course to look more.

No luck on that search and no one had turned it in while I was out looking. I used their computer again and now it was showing up in Eden Prairie at Riley Lake Park. Dammit – I can’t believe someone actually picked it up and took it!

I drove home, logged in again and decided to do a remote wipe of the phone. It was still showing up in the same park, but I decided having the data off the phone was more important that getting the hardware back. I was using a passcode, but I still didn’t want them seeing any of my incoming messages or alerts. The one downside of the wipe is that I can no longer track it.

Oh well – I guess I did need a higher capacity model anyways…

Free (unsolicited) golf ball samples in the mail from Titleist

The ninth, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Golf Digest Top 20 Minnesota Courses, 2011-2012

http://www.playgolfamerica.com/index.cfm?action=teeitforward

2013 Masters ticket application, masters.com

Closet to the pin trophy, NIGA 2012 Vice-Chairman’s Tournament, Sycuan Golf Resort, El Cajon, California

The Sand Creek, hole thirteen, Ridges at Sand Creek, Jordan, Minnesota

Continuing on with the ten favorites theme I started a few days ago, here is my initial pass at outstate Minnesota. There is a heavy focus on the northern part of the state, as I’ve spent the most time there. Other areas are very nice too, but maybe that can be a third post down the road.

1. Devil’s Kettle Hiking Trail

Part of the Judge C.R. Magney State Park, the trail to the Devil’s Kettle is pure North Shore beautiful. It’s not too long or too tough, so almost everyone can do it, and I just love that we haven’t figured out the mystery of where all that water goes.

2. World’s Best Donuts and Sven & Ole’s Pizza

Grand Marais is such a beautiful town. I’ve been lucky enough to visit almost every year of my life, so I’ve had plenty of time to see the dining options come and go. These two establishments are firmly planted within shouting distance of each other and continue to be must visits on every single trip I take.

3. Lutsen Mountains and Lutsen Resort

Lutsen has always been Minnesota’s only “real” ski area and I love visiting any time of the year. The golf course added another dimension and the original Lutsen Resort on the lake holds special memories of my friend Megan’s beautiful wedding on the beach.

4. Gooseberry Falls (above) and Split Rock Lighthouse

Gooseberry Falls State Park represents everything that is good about the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Gorgeous setting, nice visitor center, easy access off highway 61, miles of great trails and photogenic waterfalls. And it’s all free.

Just down the road, Split Rock isn’t free, but what a wonderful historic site. Another great visitor center, friendly, informative guides, super cool lighthouse structure and a beautiful hiking trail down to the lake and the iconic photo opportunity that awaits.

5. Ely Blueberry Festival

This is a relatively new thing for me, but I’ve been to the last two Blueberry Festivals in Ely and will plan to keep coming back. My parents have been going for years and it’s just down the road from work, so I think it’s officially tradition now.

6. The Wilderness at Fortune Bay and The Vermilion Club

Speaking of work, it’s a no brainer to include The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Golfweek’s #1 public course in Minnesota.

Best. Benefit. Ever.

After the round, the food at the resort is good, but nothing compares to the VC. You know your foursome needs a Bamboozler…

7. Grandma’s Marathon

This race lacks the total spectator count of Twin Cities, but it’s so very special in a different way. Taking the train to the start, the beauty of Lake Superior, the crowds when you enter the city, the party at the end – Grandma produces a world-class event. A true showcase for the city of Duluth.

8. Tobies Caramel Rolls

Not quite halfway between the Twin Cities and Duluth, the pit stop in Hinckley almost always means a visit to Tobies. And Tobies means caramel rolls – soft, sweet, sticky caramel rolls. Yum.

9. Brainerd Area Golf – The Classic, The Pines, The Preserve and Deacon’s Lodge

While I’ve photographed all of these courses, I’ve actually only played two of them (The Classic and The Preserve). Throw in Golden Eagle and you have a solid week of great Minnesota resort golf. One of these years I’ll organize a buddy trip to do just that.

10. Greg’s Meats

Last, but not least, Greg’s Meats is located just north of Cannon Falls on highway 52. While they have lots of great things for sale, all I have to say is: beef jerky time!

What else do you like outstate?

The City Pages Best Of issue got me thinking about some of my favorite things to do around this wonderful part of the country. I’m sure I’m missing things (and may change my mind), but here’s an initial shot at a metro area list. Ideas for outstate Minnesota are floating around in my head too.

1. Minnesota State Fair (above)

I write about this every year, so I won’t rehash, other than to say there’s a reason I’ve been to this every year since I was born. Pure awesomeness in so many ways – food, entertainment, people watching and much, much more.

2. Twin Cities Marathon

This also gets a lot of coverage on this site, as I’ve now run it 8 times. The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America® earns that circle “R” with fall colors, loops of the Minneapolis lakes, a stretch along the Mississippi River and a great finish down Summit Avenue past the Cathedral and State Capitol. Plus you never forgot your first.

3. Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail

If you like mountain biking, this is my “don’t miss” track for the entire region. I’m relatively new to the sport, but I could ride this every day and not get bored.

4. Mall of America

A lot of locals say they hate the MOA, but sorry Burnsville Center, you just don’t cut when it comes to shopping on a grand scale. It can be overcrowded at times and I’m not a huge fan of the restaurants, but it’s still the place your visiting relatives and friends want to go when they come to town.

5. Barbette and Prohibition at the W

So many good restaurants in Minneapolis, but Kim Bartmann’s Barbette in Uptown continues to be my favorite because of one thing: flat iron steak frites. Mmmm…frites.

I’m not really a bar hopper, but Prohibition’s combination of Foshay architecture and atmosphere, great service, lovely views from the 27th floor and the wonderful ephiphany martini (Grey Goose La Poire, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur and Duvalleroy Champagne) could turn me into a regular.

6. Cecil’s Deli, Carbone’s Pizza and Ristorante Luci

Since I grew up in St. Paul, it’s much harder for me to pick one favorite restaurant in that fair city. Therefore I present three: Cecil’s Deli in Highland Park for the hot pastrami sandwich, the original Carbone’s Pizza on Randolph and Ristorante Luci for some of the best Italian food I’ve had anywhere. Rotating daily through these three for the rest of your life wouldn’t be a bad thing.

7. Hockey at the Xcel Energy Center

While this is the State of Hockey, our teams have had their ups and downs lately. One thing is certain, though, the overall hockey fan experience at the X ranks right up there with the best anywhere. Be it the NHL’s Wild, the hockey Gophers or the state high school tournament, I loves me some hockey in downtown St. Paul.

8. Chain of Lakes

Heading back across the river, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes is really the crown jewel of the Twin Cities. That’s hard for someone raised in Saint Paul to admit, but it’s true. Whether you run, walk, bike, rollerblade, sail, kayak, swim, drive, ski or skate them, you’ll be hard-pressed to not feel good about it afterwards. All that plus great park facilities and food options too.

9. First Avenue & 7th Street Entry

My first show at First Avenue was Living Colour in 1993. Somewhere I have a scan of all the tickets from early shows I attended, back when they had cool sparkly ink and you could usually score free tickets to another show each time you left the building. Can’t wait to get back to see the latest enhancements to the room…

10. Hazeltine National and Interlachen Country Club

Minnesota has a lot of great public golf courses, but there is nothing quite like these two private clubs. If you have the connections, make it happen. Both have history, conditioning, great staff, strong layouts and a day on the course you’ll remember for a long, long time.

Any favorites I missed?

Number 12 with Lake Vermilion in the background, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Sea creature remains, 13th fairway, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

The Wilderness club sandwich and waffle fries, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Eleven Green, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

• Dinner at The Bachelor Farmer
• Pizza Ranch fried chicken
• Eat at Tilia in Linden Hills
• Lindey’s Prime Steak House
• Order the Depot’s Diamond Dog
• Breakfast at SAP’s Colossal Cafe
• Give Pizzeria Lola a second chance?
• Fries (no onion) from the Amsterdam Bar and Hall
• Happy Hour at La Belle Vie
• Golf Virginia, Eveleth and Wolfridge
• Tour the Root Beer Lady Museum
• Ride the Lake Vermilion Mailboat
• Gamble at White Oak, Palace and Northern Lights
• PR at least one race (any distance)
• Take Beaudry to Black Bear, Lutsen and Brainerd

The latest revision to the Keller Golf Course remodel, Maplewood, Minnesota

Eleventh hole, 4/16/2012 snowstorm, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Sign on twelve tee, Keller Golf Course, Maplewood, Minnesota

Sixteenth green, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Greenside bunkers on the eighth hole, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

The new walleye wrap with fruit and a raspberry lemonade, Wilderness Grill, Tower, Minnesota

Seventh tee, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/golf-courses/2007-06/top40casinocourses

Practice bunker, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

http://twitter.com/phils_ego

Today I played what may be my last round on the “traditional” Keller Golf Course in Ramsey County. As you can read in this Star Tribune story and this golfcourseindustry.com post, the design group of Richard Mandell Golf Architecture will begin work in October to revamp several aspects of the operation. Buildings will be razed and new ones constructed, the irrigation system will be upgraded, greens and fairways will be rebuilt and reseeded and some layout changes will be made in the $12 million project. The course is scheduled to reopen in May 2014.

Like many others, I have mixed feelings about this. The clubhouse is full of history and I find it a little hard to believe that a historic renovation couldn’t be done if the county really wanted to. But after seeing the condition of both buildings today (the small pro shop building being the other), they do look bad. The initial architectural drawings for the new buildings seem to incorporate the feel of the old ones, so maybe not all is lost.

I saw the working design document for the course changes and I think that part of the project will be well received by most people. The first hole will be straightened, as tee boxes will move north (and back) to accomodate the new pro shop. A new bunker will be built in the middle of the second fairway and a split fairway will be introduced on the par five twelfth hole (towards the green). The sixteenth hole will be converted to a par five for all tee boxes, which should make it a par 35-37-72 card. Perhaps most importantly, the iconic green-front trees on holes four (above) and seventeen will remain.

Onward?

http://www.masters.com/en_US/live/index.html

Twilight golf at Coronado Golf Club for $15, Coronado, California

Closest to the Pin, 2012 NIGA golf tournament, Sycuan Golf Resort, El Cajon, California

Today was my second ever National Indian Gaming Association golf tournament, which was held on the Oak Glen course at Sycuan Resort outside of San Diego. We have a limited number of managers who golf, so I usually get invited by default (not that I’m complaining).

This course was a bit of a letdown after last year’s stellar course in Arizona, but we still had a good time. Our team played much better this time (8-under 64) and I hit one of my best par three tee shots ever, stopping four feet from the hole. We left before the results were compiled, but I imagine we were in the middle of the pack.

The grass types and overall condition of the course seemed average – it reminded me of something like a Bunker Hills in Minnesota. Sycuan’s peak weekend rates are listed at $79, so I guess that’s probably about right when you adjust for the cost of living differences.

More pictures after the jump.

Sycuan Golf Resort, Oak Glen Course, Par Three Sixth Hole, El Cajon, California

Expanded middle tee on number seven, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Eleventh green, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

With the continued excellent weather, I was hoping to at least get to a driving range before I play in San Diego next week. Discount Tire in Burnsville got my snow tires off quickly and I found myself at Valleywood in Apple Valley on the first tee just before 10AM. Amazingly, I walked 18 holes and was back at the car by 12:25. Gotta love that!

As you can see above, work is progressing nicely on their new clubhouse. I wasn’t quite clear from the news reports exactly where it was going up, but it’s basically right outside the old pro shop door. It was a little noisy around the site, but the safety fences and temporary paths were clearly marked and not much of an inconvenience.

The rest of the course was the same old Valleywood. They opened for play on March 16th and it seemed like they had cut most greens at least once. Conditions were decent and they had sodding projects started on a few holes. There were also a few new distance signs up that were very helpful.

I basically went from my last round of 2011 to the first tee with no practice shots, stretching or warms ups. After a scrambling bogey on one, I hit pin-high on the 136-yard par three second hole and made the birdie putt en route to a decent 86. I need a little more practice before the big tournament at Sycuan, but this was a good start…

Tenth tee, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

http://www.linksmagazine.com/links100

12th Hole, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

After learning we had regained the number one spot on the 2012 Golfweek Best in State rankings, I decided to take a little hike out on The Wilderness at Fortune Bay this afternoon.

Sunny skies and temps in the upper 50s are doing a pretty good job of melting snow on the course. Our golf course general manager Tom Beaudry says we are on schedule to open in about a month, which would be a new record.

Advanced bookings are way ahead of the past few years and many summer weekends are already sold out in the resort. If you are looking for a specific time to visit this season, it would be wise to call now (800-992-4680).

A few camera phone shots from my stroll (check out the “new” water feature on 13):

http://golfweek.com/news/2012/mar/12/golfweeks-best-courses-state-state/

Email from Golf Saint Paul, sent March 12, 2012

Since the pile of first day covers have mostly been entered now, tonight I started back on the next big blog project – migrating my photo library from Gallery2 to standard WordPress galleries. I plan to be a little more selective about what gets published this time, so not everything will move.

Golf was on my mind, so I started in on that section first. Harding Park (above), the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen and the 2009 Gopher Invitational at Spring Hill were all added.

Lots more to come…

12th Hole, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

We’re #40

Clubhouse, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

January 5, 2012 on the 10th Tee: 41F, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota