Wilderness at Fortune Bay - Minnesota - USA

My MN trip was based around playing all three of the northern MN Brauer courses. I played my first of his in CO in 1996 or 7 maybe and have always enjoyed his work. I also enjoy discussing design with him and have been fortunate enough to have played with him a few times as well.

This course was built at a casino and is well-maintained and reasonably priced, a value actually. I think the Quarry at Giant's and this one are a slight step ahead of Legend, but all three are worth making a trip for fun of it.

Right off the bat is the unique double-double-fairway Par 5, no not a misprint. The fun does not stop there as the entire first nine is routed and flows flawlessly. Another double fairway appears at #4, and there is one at #16. The fifth green is an absolutely superb Biarritz green. Jeff is very concerned with creating great greens, he sketched away when I played Crystal Downs with him and two other architectural notables a few years ago. This Biarritz is just a hoot and most should have no more than a 7-9i in if you play the correct tees for you, likely even wedge play. It is a classic design so I single it out, however great putting surfaces come at you relentlessly.

The second nine has a couple of peculiar vistas (Most notably an apartment/hotel lodge kind of place) but not anything other than a surprise as otherwise it is you and nature. The 17th, being at a Casino gives you an opportunity to make $10-20 grand for an ace and is very straightforward and full of cameras - surely intentional as the other three Par 3's are visually outstanding.

I don't believe in making a course guide or you hole-by-hole in reviews, but hole 15 notes a comment as a wetland intrusion makes for an uneasy tee shot on first play. The hole is more a par 4.5 because of this once you know it, even playing 3-wood or hybrid off the tee. Otherwise one solid hole after another awaits you.

This is a top 5 public course in the state and a round runs under $100, find that in CA, FL, AZ, or other golf destination states! I absolutely love golf in Minnesota!