Now taking tee times for ‘09!

Published
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Jeff
on October 20, 2008
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Book 2009 Tee Times at The Wilderness!Fall has arrived at The Wilderness with the last day of the season on Sunday, October 12th. You can start planning your 2009 outing soon! Tee times will open to the public Monday November 3, 2008. Winter business hours will be Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.  - 4:30 p.m.

Have a great winter and we look forward to seeing you in 2009!

Tom Beaudry
General Manager
The Wilderness

Fall Golf on the Iron Range

Published
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Jeff
on September 12, 2008
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HOT GOLF DEAL ON FALL GOLF!

 

Giants Ridge, MN

Giants Ridge is hosting a LAST CHANCE2-PERSON TOURNAMENT on Sunday, October 5th. This will be your last chance to get on the course and get in those 18 holes for the season.  The fall colors also promise to be amazing. 

 

Entry Fee: $80 per person, plus tax

Includes: Lunch with PAYOUTS!

  • 11 AM shotgun start 
  • 6 holes best ball
  • 6 holes scramble
  • 6 holes shamble!

Plus, great “Last Chance” savings on lodging at Villas and The Lodge.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower

Letter from the General Manager,

I would like to thank you all for your patronage this summer and remind you that the golf course is in fantastic shape through the fall. We do not aerify our greens in the fall so the green conditions are at their best. The fall colors through the second week of October are spectacular and top off an already great reason to make one last trip north. Visit our site to subscribe to our email list to receive upcoming e-mails that promote our end of the season ‘Stay & Play’ packages that will help make that last trip of the season an easy decision. I appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you!

Tom Beaudry,
General Manager

 

Fall Golf Events on the Iron Range!

Published
by
Jeff
on August 21, 2008
in Events and Specials
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Mesaba Country Club, Hibbing
Come join us for the best golf event in Northern Minnesota. If you are interested in playing in one of the oldest & best match play events in Minnesota for players of all levels (Aug. 29- Sept. 1) go to the following links for more details www.mesabacc.com/northwestflyer.pdf
www.mesabacc.com/northwest.html
Also don’t miss out on the Queen City Bank Fall Classic
Two Person Scramble
September 13 & 14

Entry Fee: $85
Includes: Two rounds of golf, gift certificates, barbecue lunch on Sunday & over $1800 in on course games to be given away on Saturday!

Optional Senior Division – age 50 or over
(Top eight qualifying scores will make up Senior Champ Flight.)

For tee times call (218) 263-4826
Visit our Website at: mesabacc.com

If your local Iron Range course has a special event going on this fall, submit it as a comment here on my blog and we’ll be sure to get it posted for you.   Let me know where you’ll be playing!

Great Golf Specials on the Iron Range!

Published
by
Jeff
on August 5, 2008
in Course Conditions, Course Review, Events, Specials and Uncategorized
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Fabulous Fall Golf on the Iron Range - Eveleth Municipal golf course

Experience fall in all its glory on the Iron Range.

See fall color like this on the Iron Range!

As summer winds down, several of the premier courses on the Iron Range are offering great specials.

Unlimited Golf & Lunch in August

Unlimited Golf with Lunch. $125 per person plus tax. Monday through Thursday during the month of August. Valid on either The Quarry or The Legend. Tee times required. Call 800-688-7669 (select option 1) to make your tee time.

Golf & Dinner for Two - Sundays in August
Nine holes of golf at The Quarry or The Legend and dinner for two at The Wacootah Grille every Sunday in August after 2 p.m. $72 per couple plus tax. Tee times required. Call 800-688-7669, (select option 1) to make your tee time.

The Lodge at Giants Ridge is offering a terrific midweek special for the month of August.

Stay two nights and receive the third night free.
(Based on availability, Sunday through Thursday. Not valid with any other specials or coupons.)


FALL GOLF

There’s no better time to take advantage of the crisp, clean fresh air of northeastern Minnesota than in fall. Many of the local courses offer post-season rates or fall golf specials during this time of year.

Book your tee times today and play either The Quarry or The Legend at Giants Ridge September 15, 2008, through closing for only $62! Lodging properties located at Giants Ridge are also offering fantastic fall golf rates, too:

The Lodge at Giants Ridge
25% OFF any condominium when you mention fall golf.
(New reservations only.)

Call 877-442-6877 or 218-865-7170
or visit: lodgeatgiantsridge.com

Villas at Giants Ridge
Mention this offer and receive 25% OFF your lodging.
(New reservations only.)

Call 800-843-7434 or 218-865-4155
or visit: villasatgiantsridge.com

Several other Iron Range courses offer terrific post season rates and fall golf specials. Be sure to check each of their respective web sites for up-to-date specials.

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay has some great summer golf specials, too.

Does the price of gasoline have your golf game on “E”?
When you purchase $25 of gasoline or more from the Y Store (located near Fortune Bay at the intersection of Hwy 53         and County Road 77), receive $10 off your greens fee at The Wilderness!

Present the receipt of your gasoline purchase on the same day that you play. $10 discount good on rounds of regular     summer rate green fees. One coupon per customer, no exceptions.

OR,

    Free Green for Greens Fee!
When you golf at The Wilderness, receive a coupon good for: $10 BlackJack Matchplay or $10 Fortune Play!

Redeem at Casino Guest Services. Management reserves the right to withdraw or modify this offer at anytime.
One coupon per person. Must be a Wild Edge Member to redeem!

If you’ve played golf in the fall at any of the golf courses on the Iron Range, I want to hear about it.

I’m working on a list of the most scenic holes to view fall colors here on the Range. Be sure to check back in a couple of days!

Great Time at U.S. Women’s Open

Published
by
Jeff
on June 30, 2008
in Uncategorized
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I had a great time at the Women’s U.S. Open!

Some of the things I noticed:

  • The woman hit it longer than I imagined and very straight or with a little draw – nearly every time.
  • The women are much more friendly than the men.
  • Their swings seem effortless – a lot of flat swings.
  • Their grips are not very strong – most of them had neutral or even weak right hands.
  • The staff did a great job – very well run – no flaws.

Unfortunately, the course at Interlachen is not very spectator friendly – lots of hills – lots of trees – and the ropes did not allow the spectator very close at a lot of places. Still, though, it was great to have the Open in Minnesota! (Next time, seriously, consider one of the courses on the Iron Range - Giants Ridge & Fortune Bay offer some terrific options!!!!)

My time at the Women’s U.S. Open was absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!

Now can I get my swing like theirs?

Here’s to all us golfers being able to swing like these talented woman – Happy 4th to everyone. (NOTE: If you are celebrating the 4th of July on the Iron Range, let me know where you’re gonna be!)

No one “does” the 4th of July like the Iron Range

Published
by
Jeff
on June 24, 2008
in Events and Uncategorized
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I’m on my way to the Women’s U.S. Open at Interlachen in the Twin Cities area for the next couple of days, but I wanted to take the time to update the blog about what’s going on - on the Iron Range.

The 4th of July is right around the corner and no one celebrates it better than the Iron Range. Communities like Mountain Iron, Virginia, Eveleth, Gilbert, Aurora and Biwabik all celebrate the 4th in some fashion (or another). Heck, some even celebrate the 4th on the 3rd of July! A complete list of 4th of July events can be found here.

The City of Virginia is also celebrating its “Great Virginia Get-Together” from July 1-6. This “all-community” reunion is jam packed with fun events for all ages. Check out the web site here. There’s even a golf tournament at the Virginia Municipal Golf Course!

The City of Gilbert celebrates its centennial (100 years) with car shows, dancing, helicopter rides and much, much more!

Mountain Iron does the 4th the “old-fashioned family” way, with most events held at the West Two Rivers Campground. Complete Mt. Iron 4th of July details can be found here.

From the 2nd through the 4th, Aurora celebrates Patriotic Days & Freedom Fete with traditional patriotic parades, children’s activities and games with a carnival-type atmosphere on Main Street. Children’s pie-eating contest, quilt show at the Aurora Community/ Senior Center, food vendors and spectacular fireworks show from Red Top.

Biwabik kicks off the 4th with its Calithumpian parade. The schedule of events for this annual celebration can be found here.

And, what would the 4th be without the annual 4th of July celebration in Eveleth? Check out the schedule of events in Eveleth at evelethfourthofjulyrocks.com.

Have a safe and happy 4th…more about golf next time around (I promise)…

Great Golf on the Iron Range! And, oh….the right equipment can make a difference in your game!

Published
by
Jeff
on June 10, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

Great Golf on the Iron Range - NOW!
What a wonderful two days of golf on Sunday and Monday. I was very lucky to be invited to the Media Day Events at both The Wilderness at Fortune Bay on Sunday and The Quarry at Giants Ridge on Monday. Both courses are in wonderful shape and the staff at each of the respective locations went out of their way to ensure two great days of golf on the Iron Range.

The right equipment = all the difference
I can attribute much of my enjoyment for golf this year to one particular thing – The Taylor Made Burner Driver. I have NEVER hit the ball so straight and so long in all of my years of playing this fabulous sport. It has really made a difference in my game. If you have a chance to try one out, I’d highly recommend it! Everyone of my friends who has tried to hit it has also liked the results. So, I guess it’s true…one can improve their game with new equipment.

Other MN golf news
I went to Jordan, MN, last week to watch the Class AA Minnesota State High School Golf Tournament. The wind gusts reached over 40 miles an hour on Friday. The 18th hole was 2-tiered with the hole placement on the top tier. I watched a boy (who was 2 over after 17) reach the hole in 4 against the wind. He had a 35 foot putt left for par. His first putt was within 2 feet of the hole until the wind gust blew the ball back down to where he putted. He then hit his next putt 10 feet past the hole – until a wind gust again blew his ball back to where he putted it from. He putted a third time to within 1 inch of the hole – ran to mark his ball – but a wind gust again blew his ball back to the bottom tier. Unbelievably he made this long putt on his fourth try. If that was me, “something” would have gone flying! Talk about frustration! In my opinion , course officials could’ve responded to this. Maybe adding water to the green to slow them down? Just my opinion, for what it’s worth!

All of the courses that I’ve played on the Iron Range this season are in great shape. For more information on golf on the Iron Range, click here.

If you’re planning a golf getaway on the Iron Range, let me know where you’re planning to play!

Great Golf, Dining and Entertainment on the Iron Range!

Published
by
Jeff
on June 2, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

Hello fellow golfers! The golf season is off to a great start on the Iron Range. The sun has been shining and the courses are in great condition.If you’re planning your golf getaway to northeastern Minnesota this year, don’t forget about the great dining and entertainment found right here on the Iron Range.

Some of the best places to grab a bite to eat (often right on the courses) include, in no particular order:

The Wilderness Bar & Grille at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay – Tower
Have lunch on the beautiful patio here and enjoy the spectacular atmosphere of Northern Minnesota, along with a great view of The Wilderness Golf Course. With windows all around and a spectacular view of the course, you will be sure to have an out-of-the-ordinary dining experience. And, the menu is TOP NOTCH, too.

Michael’s on the Course - Virginia Golf Course
One of my favorite dishes here is the walleye. Try it breaded or broiled, to your taste. Another great option are the ribs. YUM! This popular dining venue sits atop the Virginia Golf Course.

The Whistling Bird – Gilbert
Now THIS restaurant is a little out-of-the-ordinary for northeastern Minnesota, but you won’t want to go home without making this dining adventure. Located on the main drag in Gilbert, this Jamaican themed restaurant has been visited my guests from all over the country. Try the Negril Grill Jerk Platter, offering a sampling of the tastiest Jamaican jerk chicken, pork tenderloin and shrimp found anywhere!

Alden’s – Biwabik
This mom & pop style café located on Biwabik’s main street is one of my favorites on the Iron Range. The burgers here are awesome. The menu offers a variety of toasted sandwiches to suit any taste. One of my favorites is the authentic gyro…..yum! Alden’s also offers an array of unique, homemade soups that do not disappoint.

Zimmy’s Bar & Grill – Hibbing
Zimmy’s is named after the Iron Range’s very own Bob Dylan. Located on Howard Street in Hibbing, Zimmy’s is loaded with Bob Dylan memorabilia and menu items named after a few Dylan Tunes. Try the Hwy 61 pizza…it’s unique and mmmmmm…..tasty!

The Wacootah Grille at Giants Ridge – Biwabik
Almost everything on this menu is spectacular! The burgers (paired with waffle fries) are my favorite. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, try the cobb salad. If you’re around on a Friday evening, DO NOT miss the Friday Night walleye fish fry! It’s THE BEST in town, bar none.

La Cocina & Cantina – Virginia
Situated on Virginia’s Chestnut Street, La Cocina and Cantina features authentic Mexican cuisine in the perfect south of the border atmosphere. The menu offers a wide variety of entrees, appetizers and vegetarian selections. Plus, La Cocina is well known for their variety of high quality tequilas, making the best margaritas on the Iron Range.

Four Corners Café – Embarrass
Another mom and pop café located at the “Four Corners” in Embarrass. Everyone here comes for the burgers and potato wedges and plain ‘ol good home cooking. This is a great stop if you’re traveling from the Giants Ridge courses to Fortune Bay…just drive up Highway 135 north toward Embarrass.

Sammy’s Pizza – Hibbing
This family owned and operated Iron Range franchise has spread throughout Minnesota. One of my favorite pizzas is the Taco Pizza. Or, be sure to check out the pasta menu – the chicken fettuccine is scrumptious!

Adventures Restaurant – Virginia
You can’t miss this Iron Range dining hot spot on Highway 53 in Virginia. Like many Iron Range restaurants, my favorite here is the walleye sandwich! If you’re a little more “adventurous,” try a wild dish like Elk Steak Tuscany. This tender and naturally lean elk steak is grilled to your liking then smothered with sautéed onions and mushrooms and accompanied by house-made garlic smashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. Yum….I’m officially hungry now!

Many locales across the Iron Range offer great entertainment, as well. Check out the entertainment line-up on the Iron Range here. Fortune Bay Resort – Casino also has a great summer event schedule. Check it out here.

Let me know where and when you’re planning to play and be sure to check back for more info on golf on the Iron Range.

See you on the links!

Pre-season Rates for Iron Range golf!

Published
by
Jeff
on May 20, 2008
in Course Conditions and Uncategorized
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Well, the weather is finally starting to cooperate with golfers on the Iron Range. Just wanted to take a second to post the forecast for the remainder of this week and holiday weekend. With highs into the 60s and even the 70s later this week, it looks to be shaping up to be a great week to hit any of the great courses on the Iron Range.

Don’t forget to inquire about great pre-season rates at several Iron Range courses including The Legend and The Quarry at Giants Ridge, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Eveleth Municipal, Hibbing Muni, Hoyt Lakes, the Mesaba Country Club in Hibbing, Virginia Municipal and Wolfridge.

Several area lodging properties offer Play & Stay specials when you play at championship courses like The Legend and The Quarry and The Wilderness.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!

Golf gods say spring is here!

Published
by
Jeff
on May 6, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

I just got off the phone with the golf gods…I have been assured winter is officially over! Spring on the Iron Range brings beautiful warm weather, green fairways and fast greens. Like everyone else out there, I’m excited to get out and enjoy a day on the links with friends. For those of you who have purchased new equipment (driver, irons, putter), you’ll finally have the chance to try them out! Early season golf is a great time to enjoy discount golf.

Practically every course in northeastern Minnesota will be open this weekend. So, if you’re headed to the area for Minnesota’s Fishing Opener, be sure to pack your clubs. That way, if you don’t end up with much luck on the water, at least you’ve got a back-up plan. And, many local courses, including The Quarry at Giants Ridge offer special pre-season rates. The opening day special at The Quarry runs from today, May 6th through Friday, May 9th. A little detour to The Quarry (prior to the fishing opener) will prove to be well worth it.

I plan to hit the links at the Eveleth Municipal Course to participate in the Verant Two-Man Scramble. Let me know where you’re planning to play….never know, I may just share a pointer or two!

Be sure to check back for the lastest Iron Range golf updates throughout the season.