Tuesday, Oct 16 -- Fergus Falls, MN
Today was a glorious day - sunny and low 70s!  Perfect day to play two rounds of golf!

The first was at Thumper Pond Golf Resort in Ottertail. The picture is from behind the 18th green.  The 18th fairway is to the right with the 9th fairway to the left.

Cut out of a pine forest, Thumper Pond is a very playable yet challenging course.  They are constantly looking to make it more "friendly" for the higher handicap player but it will offer a good test for players trying to qualify for the MGA Amateur Championship in 2013.  The condition was good despite being one week from closing, and since it's pine trees, we didn't have to contend with the multitude of leaves.

Many thanks to PGA Professional and host Dave Sadlowsky for his gracious hospitality!

My next stop was to Balmoral Golf Course in Battle Lake.  Built in 1961, the course offers a quaint, comfortable feel.  Nestled amongst thousands of trees, the course winds its way through the gently rolling land.  PGA Professional and owner John Young joined me as we went around, walking most of the way.  It was an easy course to walk.  Unfortunately, most of the leaves had left the trees so not only did I miss seeing the course in the splendor of the fall colors, but we had our challenges finding golf balls.  The picture is of their "signature hole" -- the 178-yard, par 3 16th hole.  I'm sure it was an awesome site with the trees filled with leaves of many colors.

 

Wednesday, I'm out to see Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls, Tipsinah Mounds Golf Course in Elbow Lake and Eagle Creek Golf Club in Willmar.  Unfortunately, the weather forecast does not look very good.

 

Until then-

Doug

Dateline: Monday, October 15, 2012, Ottertail, MN
I am making a trip up US-10 and I-94 to the northwest part of MN to see some courses I have not seen in my previous 14+ years with the MGA. Today, I had the opportunity to play Perham Lakeside Golf Course for the first time today with the head professional Nick Anderson and an MGA tournament player and long-time Perham member Bob Cavanagh.  We had a great day, albeit it was not very sunny or warm.

Perham provided a friendly yet challenging test of golf.  The Maple and Oak nines are part of the original course.  The Pine nine was added back in 1999.  It is well worth the effort to play if in the area.

 

Bob seemed to make birdies as though he had been playing the last 40 days although he said he hadn't, including three in a row and four in five holes.  Bob earned the medalist honors for the day, as a result, with his 71.  Yet, I managed to hole a 112-yard wedge shot for an eagle 2 on the par 4 3rd hole of the Oak nine enroute to a respectible 1-over par 74.

 

While playing, I couldn't help but notice that I was constantly hearing the horns of trains passing through town.  When I asked Bob about this, he said there are approximately 96 trains that pass through daily.  So, I couldn't help but take this picture.  I parked next to the crossing and had to wait less than 5 minutes before the next train came by.  This BNSF freight was moving at nearly 60 mph when it passed by -- which is rather exciting until I realized that if it jumped the tracks, I would be toast.

 

After leaving Perham, I ventured south to Thumper Pond Golf Resort in Ottertail where I am staying the night.  The water park is closed today, so no super-slides for me.  Instead, it was cajun walleye, "smashed" potatoes and an adult beverage to wash it down.  I play here in the morning before heading south 12 miles to Balmoral Golf Course for the afternoon.  The weather is supposed to be perfect, so I'll fill you in on the details tomorrow night.

 

Until then-

Doug

2012 - IT'S A WRAP!

The season is officially over - 4 months and 18 days after it started. This day often comes with mixed feelings.  On one hand, I am ready to slow down the pace as (often) the last six weeks of the season can be the busiest.  On the other, it means the end of warmer weather and playing golf is coming and replaced with cold, snow and dark days.  (The picture is of the 18th at TPC Twin Cities, site of the 11th MGA Team Championship, and taken the morning of the last day of the season - Sept 25.)

Overall, the season went well.  Weather wasn't a factor for the most part, except in mid-June when rain disrupted play during both the US Senior Open Qualifying at Edina and the MGA Players' Championship at Windsong Farm.

 

Since the season ended, the US managed to lose the Ryder Cup at Medinah, Tim Herron finished in a T-10 last week in Las Vegas, Tiger defeated Rory in Turkey, the USGA has not yet banned the long-putter and/or anchoring and we are still being bombarded by political ads.  It is said you should never wish your life away, but I'm ready to get past Nov. 6.

 

My life has changed from being out at courses conducting events to in the office and doing "site acquisition."  I am trying to fill open spots on my "Future Sites Worksheet" as close as next year and as far out as 2019.  This is often the most challenging part to my job - trying to talk clubs into giving up their courses for free for two-three days in the best part of the short golf season.  Fortunately, we have many great clubs here in MN willing to do just that!

 

Next week, though, I will be heading up US-10 and I-94 to see some golf courses that I have not seen in my 15 seasons here in MN.  I will see and play (weather permitting) Perham Lakeside GC (Perham), Thumper Pond GC (Ottertail), Balmoral GC (Battle Lake), Pebble Lake GC (Fergus Falls) and Eagle Creek GC (Willmar).  It will be fun to visit new places.  Hopefully the weather holds; otherwise, it will be miserable (which is not uncommon for October golf in Minnesota).  Pictures to come!

 

Until next time-

Doug