Over Labor Day weekend, I traveled deep into the northern Minnesota woods for three rounds of golf with Jed, Jeff, and Chris, three of my old college friends. Last year was the first time we went on a golf trip like this, and we had so much fun we thought we'd do it again. We had way too much food, not enough space to sleep, and just enough time not to feel rushed. This year, we played The Quarry at Giant's Ridge, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, and Minnesota National on consecutive days.
Minnesota National (3rd Place) has a nice layout, but the conditions weren't optimal. It's a newly renovated course and there's a little work to be done if the owners want it to be considered a top tier course. Lots of holes required long carries off the tee, and there was trouble everywhere.
The Quarry (2nd Place) was beautiful with its dramatic elevation changes, waste areas complete with old mining equipment, and wide, sweeping fairways. The stark contrast between the rolling, green golf course and the rugged exposed rock from the old quarry made for beautiful scenery.
But it was The Wilderness at Fortune Bay that took top course honors this year. It's a true resort course, and every hole looks like it might appear in a golf calendar somewhere. The course was long and challenging, the conditions were excellent, the in-cart GPS system was second-to-none, and the beverage service was awesome.
Jeff takes aim at a Quarry fairway.
A green at The Quarry.
A great example of The Quarry's elevation changes.
The Wilderness had landscaping on every hole. These flowers were nicer than the trees and tall grass.
Jeff (again) at Minnesota National.
