Golf courses in Biwabik and Eveleth make for a great trip up north

The golf season is heating up and late last month my travels took me to the 3M Media Day at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine on June 27, the 25th anniversary of the opening of Giants Ridge in Biwabik June 28-29 and a the chance to play a scenic nine-hole golf course which opened in 1934 — the Eveleth Golf Club. Here are some impressions of those three trips.

Hollis Cavner, Executive 3M Tournament Director, addressed the elephant in the room when he mentioned the LIV Tour. Although the 3M has lost some players, he was confident that the PGA Tour will prevail in the end. The defending 3M champion is Cameron Champ, who shot a final round 65 to beat LIV players Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen by two shots.

From my view, the PGA Tour and the 3M Championship is where the “grow the game” is real. Moreover, Cavner iterated that his foundation is in the business to give more minority players the opportunity to play the game. The big winner is charity as the 3M will raise $1.5 million for local charities M Health Fairview, First Tee Minnesota and the Greater Twin Cities United Way.

To secure tickets, go to 3mopen.com/tickets. Military veterans can secure two free tickets.

In the Media Day outing I had the pleasure of playing golf with Metro Herald golf reporter Kip Kovar, LYNX basketball commentator Lea B. Olsen and Bell Bank officer Katie Mattis. After the round I had the chance to talk briefly with Detroit Lakes native and Vikings wide receiver Adam Thelen. Thelen played golf for Bob Gorden, the highly successful Detroit Lakes boys’ golf coach, who recently retired.

The next stop was a trek to Biwabik to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of Giants Ridge. This golf and ski destination was the result of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board's foresight and the impetus was provided by former dentist and Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich.

The most interesting speaker was Jeffrey D. Brauer, the architect of both The Legend (1997) and The Quarry (2003) courses. Brauer, a native of Dallas, Texas, spent countless months reconnoitering the topography of the course before it was opened 25 years ago. The Legend was built for a bare bones cost of $4.3 million.

In my estimation, both courses are aesthetic masterpieces. If any reader wants to play both courses in one day the club is running a one day 37 hole special. Play 36 holes in a day on The Legend and The Quarry with lunch in between! This offer is valid from June 3-Aug. 28. Weekday the cost is $175 plus tax and $190 plus tax Friday-Sunday. To book a tee time call 800-688-7669.

If any golfer has never played both courses, this trip north is worth the 200-mile drive.

While playing the Legend course, I was paired with John Rinne and Sue Barandun. Rinne is the general manager at the Eveleth golf course and Barandun works in the pro shop. During the round, conversation centered upon the Eveleth course and they invited me to play the Eveleth Golf Club, which opened during the Depression in 1934.

This nine-hole course is another scenic gem that one would just passed by if not having run into the owner and an employee. Three of the holes were played along Saint Mary’s Lake.

After playing both courses at Giants Ridge, this course was less claustrophobic and validated that my game was still alive after firing a 95 at The Quarry. It played at 3,168 yards to a par 36. It had the best stocked pro shop for a small course and included an excellent restaurant. Fee to play is $29 every day and if you are in the area give it a try. The telephone number 218-744-7558.

Golf notes

Daryl Schomer, College of Saint Benedict’s golf coach, qualified for the 119th Minnesota Golf Association’s Men’s Amateur which will be played at Olympic Hills GC July 18-20. Schomer earned his spot in this premier amateur event by firing a 74 (+1) at Geneva Golf Club in Alexandria. He has qualified for seven consecutive MGA Amateur’s and 12 of the last 13. Kudos!

The other area golfer who qualified for the MGA State Men’s Amateur was Blackberry Ridge member Scott Shosted, who qualified at Albion Ridge GC.

The eighth annual John Lieser Apollo High School Activities Scramble is scheduled for Aug. 5 at Territory Golf Club. Entry fee is $100 and the shotgun start is at noon. Contact Apollo Athletic Director Alex Badger at Alexandra.badger@isd742.org or 320-370-8660 to enter your team or as an individual.

The 13th annual Tech Tiger Scramble is scheduled for Wapicada on Aug. 12. Entry fee is $125 per player for a four or five person team. To enter contact Paul Muller pmuller@paulbunyan.net or 218-349-9282.

The 21st Annual Sertoma/Paraguay will be played at the Rich Spring Golf Course on Aug. 1 with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Entry fee for a Four-Person Team is $400. To enter contact Mike Bitzan, 56-33rd Avenue South #249, St. Cloud, MN 56301.

At the Albany Four-Person Scramble on July 10, the team of Jon Herges, Duck Spanier, Rod Johnson and Deb Kersting prevailed with a -14 under par score. The Albany Golf Club was in fabulous condition despite the May deluge which closed the course for more than a week.

Today starts my favorite week of watching morning golf on television. The 150th Open Championship starts at St. Andrews in Scotland. This championship began in 1860, one year before the start of the U.S. Civil War; Abraham Lincoln was just elected President. Only three Americans have ever been made honorary citizens of St. Andrews. This year Jack Nicklaus was bestowed the honor. The other two were Bobby Jones (1958) and Ben Franklin (1759). Enjoy the event.

— This is the opinion of Times golf columnist John Lieser. Contact him at Jgl1943@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Golf courses in Biwabik and Eveleth make for a great trip up north