StoneRidge - Minnesota - USA

"Is this Stillwater or Scotland?" my playing partner blurted out on StoneRidge's fourth tee box. I laughed out loud, because our friends overseas would consider that blasphemy. The sentiment remains though that StoneRidge is unique given its location, and with its fescue all over and lack of trees one might be fooled into thinking the course plays like an inland links. The Bobby Weed design is among the giants of Minneapolis-St. Paul golf because of its eccentric features and conditioning. My favorite hole on the front nine is the eighth, an uphill par four that will fool you on the approach (play it in there a club longer). What comes after that undulating green is confusing. You are right next to the clubhouse after the eighth, and the ninth hole is nowhere in sight. Alas, the golfer must go to the opposite side of the clubhouse to entertain the ninth. It's a really weird situation that I'm not quite sure I've ever seen. You'll be happy you made the trek, though, as the back nine is a treat and produces a ton of fun holes. For instance, the 11th is a par five where your drive must go around or over an old white barn, and the 15th is a par four that features a downhill drive followed by a challenging uphill approach. Elevation changes are omnipresent at StoneRidge, and the twilight views are stunning. The bunkers and greens are in great shape, and they roll quickly. Undulating putting surfaces can be frustrating to some, and so I recommend playing StoneRidge a few times to get the hang of it. It's a top tier public course in the Twin Cities.

Hands down the best public course I've played in the MSP area.

Routing is pretty darn good, with only the stretch of 16 to 17 being a little tricky to walk. The opening 2 holes give players a welcoming look into the firmness of the fairways and greens, with a hint at how the architect will ask players to pick a good line off the tee. Lots of use of the old quarry on the back 9 which makes for a very fun stretch from 13-15. Bobby Weed gives you plenty of chances to make birdies with well positioned tee shots, but will penalize you if you're off line or too conservative off the tee.

Routing may be good...but the "Fun Factor" is better. The 11th is my favorite hole on course (and arguably the best green as well), with honorable mentions to 1, 4, 8, and 13.

The normal rate floats in the $100 range - which in peak season is very much worth it. Having played in fall and needing a member rate to trim a walking 18 down to $60, I would say that it's a bit of a stretch without the member rate in fall/spring.

Amenities are a full range, chipping and putting green, bar and restaurant, and locker room...all of which are solid options for a public track.

Overall, it's tough to think of a course that more fun, fair, and unique than Stoneridge. If you're anywhere close to MSP and are thinking about playing golf, give this course a look.

Links style golf course for a majority of the holes with wind a constant companion. Numerous elevation changes, hidden landing areas and very fast greens will ensurer that you use every available method to keep the score reasonable.

The greens are nearly all built with false fronts or collection areas that can ruin what you thought is a nicely played approach. The longer you are off the tee can be both a blessing and a disaster. Running fairways can push you off into terrible lies in large gravely bunkers in the fairways or end to soon and you now hitting from one of the many waster areas.

The par three's are all very strong and the proper clubbing it utmost to get the ball on the right level to ensure two putts. The par fives are all reachable in two if your really striping the ball. Not a course for free swingers unless you don't mind paying off big time in the bar.

Great food as well.