If you want to play an Old School resort golf course, then head on up north to Madden’s On Gull Lake, right outside of Brainerd, MN. They even have an old-school, real grass, croquet course. To say this place is Old would not be overstating the obvious. Built in the 1920’s it still has the 1920 feel…and smell.
My posse and I made a loop on the Madden’s Pine Beach East Course.
The Front nine starts and ends with a Par 3 and is famously known for #6 a Par 6…yes…a Par 6. Willie Nelson would love this course.
The front nine is flat out old-school American golf. But the back nine starts showing some elevation changes and a little more character. The pace of play was not an issue since we seemed to be the only ones on the golf course.
Just make sure you come to the course warmed up because there is no Driving Range at the club…and they don’t tell you that when you get a tee time. The Driving Range is about a mile away.
The clubhouse was HUGE…and OLD! Here’s the Word!!
Scotsman James Dalgleish put a lot of love into his 1926 design of our Pine Beach East course, and we put every bit as much into maintaining this historic gem. All of its traditional charms remain. However, some change is for the better, and we feel certain our rebuilding of the greens, refined bunkering, and Scots-approved natural fescue grass adornments would please Mr. Dalgleish as much as it does the modern golfer.
Our PGA Professional, Glenn Hagberg, says it best: “Eagle opportunities, when properly earned, are fun. The stretch of holes 14 through 16 on The East is my favorite 3-hole stretch of all of the Madden’s courses. Two reachable par 5’s and a driveable par 4. They aren’t pushovers, mind you, a player has to flash a little courage and find some challenging targets, but those holes put the bee in your bonnet.”
Distances, ratings, and slope on Pine Beach East: 6,101 yards (69.1/118 and 5,401 (70.9/118).
You really need to check this out to understand why it is just good old American style Golf.
Let me know how I can help.
