Pack the Clubs and the Family

Golf & Play
For a more family-oriented vacation, Minnesota and western Wisconsin offer a variety of classic “Up North” resorts. And, since golf began its boom in the 1990s, many of these resorts have added golf to their recreational offerings—top-notch facilities at that.

In 1989, Izatys Resort on Lake Mille Lacs, just ninety minutes north of the Twin Cities , upped its golf ante and hire renowned architect John Harbottle to redesign older and new ones. The result is two eighteen-hole courses: the 6,645-yard Sanctuary course, and Black Brook, the more challenging 6,867-yard course.

“Golfers who come here love the variety of playing both courses,” says Linda Turpin, of Izatys. “Both courses cut through wooded areas and have natural water and marshes as hazards. They’re both excellent.”

Of course, nearby Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota’s second largest lake, is a constant reminder that there are plenty of other recreational options at Izatys, which has a variety of cottages, hotel rooms, and townhomes.

For example, the resort’s Walleye World Marina has pontoons, fishing boats, speed boats, and other watercraft to rent. The marina’s staff also guides fishing tours to track down Lake Mille Lacs’ most famous residents—those meaty walleyes.

“We’re a family-oriented resort, so we always have lots of events and activities for every age,” Turpin says. “As an example, we have two pools, a white sand volleyball court near the pools, bonfires at night, and great restaurants right on site. And, we bring in bands for special occasions.”

At Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge in Deerwood, Minnesota, near Brainerd, two golf courses represent the range of activities the resort has to offer. One of the courses, Alec’s 9, is a sporty par-34 layout that’s perfect for the whole family, including children and beginners. This course has been around since the 1920s, and it once had sand greens and relied on cows and horses to mow the fairways.

The other golf course, however, the Lakes, is an eighteen-hole championship layout designed by well-known regional architect Joel Goldstrand. The course is geared toward more experienced players, even though players of a wide range of skill levels will enjoy it.

Of course, golf is only part of the package at Ruttger’s, which boasts a four hundred-acre site rife with a variety of lodging facilities—from cottages to villas and lodge rooms—a sand swimming beach, a variety of shops and restaurants, a spa, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, day programs for kids, nighttime bonfires, and plenty of fishing and water sports on Bay Lake.

“The lake has good fishing for the whole family, including lots of pan fish, like sunnies and crappies for the kids,” says Todd Bymark, of Ruttger’s. “They catch a lot right off the dock.” He adds that the Department of Natural Resources has opened up nearby water-filled mining pits for lake trout fishing.

Take off for a getaway at Superior Shores Resort, the well-known lodge just outside of Two Harbors, where excellent golf can be part of a well-rounded vacation experience.

That’s because right outside Two Harbors is Lakeview National Golf Course, an eighteen-hole track that plays to more than 6,700 yards from the back tees. Also, within an hour’s drive of Superior Shores is Superior National Golf Club in Lutsen and the two renowned courses in Biwabik, The Quarry and The Legend at Giants Ridge.

“I would say golf is just part of the draw for people who come to Superior Shores,” says Darrin Young, the general manager, noting that Superior Shores is a perfect place to enjoy North Shore activities and sites, including miles of beaches peppered with a variety of rocks and agates; the Gitchi Gami biking trail; guided lake trout and salmon fishing; and cruises on Lake Superior’s North Shore.

When it comes to getting out on Lake Superior, Young recommends a number of cruise boat companies, including Grandpa Woo Excursions in nearby Beaver Bay. Captain Dana Kollars narrates a variety of lake and river tours, including a new excursion in June that follows the runners in Grandma’s Marathon from Two Harbors to Duluth.

“On those cruises you get to see the lake and the shore from a whole different perspective—looking in from the lake,” Young says. “It really is fascinating.” Back on land, Superior Shores offers pools, hot tubs, restaurants, and 104 guest lodge rooms and a number of lake homes for rent. Like the other resorts listed here, Lakewoods Resort near Cable, Wisconsin, offers golf as part of an overall menu of recreational activities.

First of all, Lakewoods is located on massive Lake Namakagon, which is known for producing muskies up to forty inches long. Second, the resort is set amid the pristine Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, meaning there are always plenty of outdoor activities.

Back at the resort, which offers a variety of cabins, condos, golf villas, and other rooms, much of the activities focus on the Forest Ridges Golf Course and the lake, where Lakewoods offers boat rentals of all kinds, including its unique two-person mouseboats.

“Families take part in all of the lake activities, from fishing to kayaking and canoeing to water-skiing and tubing,” says Kathy Rasmussen, a member of the family that has owned the resort since its founding in 1907. “But we also get a lot of golfers coming here mainly to play golf through one of our stay-and-play golf packages,” she adds. “Our course is wonderful, with plenty of trees and water and great views.”

Forest Ridges, which measures in at nearly 6,100 yards, is another Joel Goldstrand-designed course. In addition to the resort’s own course, there are thirteen other golf courses within an hour of Lakewoods, including one at Telemark, the ski lodge near Cable.