3 Minnesota golf courses make Golf Digest's 100 best in America list
Three golf courses in Minnesota have made Golf Digest's list of "America's 100 Greatest" public courses in 2019, and all them are repeat honorees.
Leading the way is The Quarry at Giants Ridge in Bibawik, coming in at 31st overall. The par-72 Jeff Brauer-designed course in northeast Minnesota is described by Golf Digest as "very links-like with its collection of fairway speed slots, greenside backboards and backstops, and reverse-camber greens."
"Its very inventive design also demands some aerial play, too. A standout is its 13th, a drivable par 4 that's nearly as wide as it is long, with three alternate routes to a 100-yard-wide green," the description adds.
Through June 7, 18-hole rates at Giants Ridge run $72 Monday-Sunday.
Next up is The Classic at Madden's Resort in Brainerd, making the top 100 at No. 59 overall.
"It's beautiful but not for the faint of heart, a hilly course with some narrow, pine-lined fairways and occasional challenging shots over water from sidehill or downhill lies," says Golf Digest.
The cost of 18 holes at The Classic, through May 16, is $95. Beginning May 17, the prices rise to $110 Monday-Thursday and $125 Friday-Sunday. Prices increase further beginning June 1.
In at 72 overall is The Wilderness at Fortune Bay in Tower, Minnesota. Another Jeff Brauer design, Golf Digest notes that it won America's Best New Upscale Public Course award in 2005. Brauer won the same award the year before for his creation of Giants Ridge.
"Where The Quarry uses slopes and ramps, Wilderness rewards aerial play, with some high-low alternate fairways, lake-edged greens and a pair of drop-shot par 3s," says Gold Digest.
Playing 18 holes at The Wilderness costs $71 weekdays and $74 on weekends through May 23, with regular rates ranging from $86-$102 May 24 through the end of the golf season.
