Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2020 - 17

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BANFF SPRINGS GOLF COURSE, BANFF, CANADA
Paul Kaspszak, a former MGA director, calls it " the most
beautiful golf course I have ever played. The course is built
through the mountains and every hole has a spectacular view.
Plus, the entire area is gorgeous-in Banff National Park and
the Rocky Mountains. The golf staff was great, even taking me
into their back room so I could find the perfect shirt to take
home. Before teeing off, players were warned of a mother wolf
near a woodpile next to the 18th tee. After playing 17 holes, and
focused on the golf and the amazing views, we promptly forgot
about the wolf. After teeing off, the other two-some drove
their cart right in front of the woodpile. Suddenly, the mama
wolf appeared and started chasing them down the fairway! After
they were safely away, we shared laughs and still laugh about the
experience every time we get together. "
LAWSONIA LINKS, GREEN LAKE, WIS.
" This is where Hogan, Snead, Demaret, et. al., stopped
on their way from Chicago to the St. Paul Open at Keller
Golf Course to play and gamble, " says John Sexton, chair of
the MGA's tournament and rules committee. Sexton, who has
visited Lawsonia Links twice, calls it his favorite course in the
country for its walkability, affordability and playability.
" The greens complexes are unique. Once you play Lawsonia,
you will never forget the experience. "
BANFF SPRINGS STANLEY THOMPSON COURSE
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TUCSON, ARIZ.
" Tucson in the fall, " recommends Tyler Fitzel, a former
MPGA president and current MGA tournament
volunteer. Fitzel points to the ease of reaching Phoenix
with direct flights from Minneapolis, and the off-season rates
when fewer " snow birds " are in town. While there are plenty
of green fees to be had for less than $100, he enjoys playing the
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort, former home to the Tucson
Open, 1997-2006, and the Golf Club at Dove Mountain, site of
the WGC Match Play from 2009 to 2014.
" Great golf at affordable prices, lots of friendly people and
the rich history of the Old West " make Tucson a special place,
Fitzel says.
PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS, PEBBLE BEACH,
CALIF.
One memory of Pebble Beach looms large in the
mind of Matt Magers, a former staff member of the Minnesota
and Northern California golf associations, who is currently an
MGA tournament volunteer. During a work conference which
included a round at Spyglass Hill, Magers and a group of " distinguished
golf administrators " visited the Tap Room in The
Lodge at Pebble Beach, known for its world-class steak dinners.
" After many beers, someone suggested we grab our putters
and have a contest at the putting green out front of The Lodge.
After dark, we then ventured onto the 18th green and played
every green going backward until we got to hole number eight
and turned toward The Lodge. At that point, it was only the
bright moon that allowed us to even see the hole. On the 8th
green, one of my compadres sent a putt from the very front of
the green. I could not see the ball and they couldn't see the hole.
Suddenly, the ball found the hole as I tended the flagstick. Truly
amazing, and one of the greatest golf experiences I've ever had. "
MG
ST. ANDREW LINKS OLD COURSE
mngolf.org
Fall 2020 MINNESOTAGOLFER
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Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2020

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