Dateline: Monday, October 15, 2012, Ottertail, MNI 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
