Tuesday I had the priveledge of playing Rush Creek in Maple Grove, MN. I have played this course three times now. The last time I played here was when they were redoing the greens in 2007. At that time they had temporary greens set up that were just parts of the fairway they had shaved down and turned into temporary greens.
Normal rates at Rush Creek are $109- a steep pill that does not include carts ($19 for 1/2 cart). They do have an awesome twilight rate of $49. For that rate it can be considered a pretty good deal.
I was really impressed with the course conditions. Unlike all of the other Minnesota courses I have played this year there was very little snow damage. The greens were nearly all pristine. I am told that in the summer the new greens can be like lightning. They were not too fast yet but were exceptionally smooth.
Twilight rates start at 4PM and I can imagine are very popular since you can shave off $60. We were able to get a 4:20 time, the earliest available slot for the day. For May early may the days aren't quite long enough to ensure finishing 18 before dark but luckily the day was sunny and there were no groups ahead of us to hold us up.
The Rush Creek web site is a little lacking on the course details. A shame as they should be bragging about thier course. A couple of the holes on the course (especially 13 and 18) remind me a lot of similar holes at Chaska Town Course- my favorite city course. Hole 18 is a nearly identical par 5 finishing hole with a dogleg left around a lake. At Rush Creek, the hole adds more pressure than Chaska as from the tee the landing area looks a lot smaller than at the Chaska finish.
Since the Rush Creek site is thin here are some additional details about the course from my round.
The course first opened in 1996 and was designed by Bob Cupp and John Fought. There are 5 sets of tees. The back tees called "The Duncan" that play to just over 7300 yards. Since it is still early in the year and since none of our foursome earns a living playing golf, we moved up 2 to the blue tees at 6550 yards.
Hole 1 is a 399 yard par 4. Water is off the tee to the right but should not come into play. Aside from a slightly elevate tee shot to be placed onto a hidden fairway with hills to the left and right, the hole plays straight. Two green side bunkers give a hint of the myriad of traps that you will see on the course.
Hole 2 is a dogleg left par 5 at 497 yards. The left side of the hole is a lake so water comes into play the entire length of the hole. A fairway bunker on the right always seems to catch my second shot, as it has done every time I have played this hole.
Hole 3 is a pretty non-descript par 3 at 157 yards. The green has several bunkers surrounding as the only threat here.
Hole 4 is another par 4, playing to 322 yards. Going for the green off the tee is discouraged by trees along the right side that shield the hole. The hole plays uphill most of the way.
Hole 5 is a downhill par 5 that offers a view of one of the few houses on the course and it is a doosey. I think that a member of the Cargill family owns the house. The hole played to 374 yards. The tee shot must be played away from trees on the left. Trees also line the right side but there is more room there. A couple of large fairway bunkers stare at you from the tee. As long as you play short of them the hole is pretty easy.
Hole 8 is a medium length par 5 at 548 yards. The tee shot should be aimed over the trees to the right to cut some distance off. Water will come into play on the left for your second shot and runs all the way to the hole. If you are going to bail, do so right. Any pins on the left edge of the green should not be challenged as the water is not far off the putting surface.
Hole 9 is a 418yard par 4 with several fairway bunkers to collect tee shots. You can play the ball extreme left as I did and avoid them but you run into some long wild grass areas if you stray from the hole. The green here is guarded by water right.
Hole 10 is a short par 5 at 518 yards. Simply avoid the right side of this hole where march land waits any unfortunate balls.
After 11 things start to get a little hairy. The level of difficulty ramps up a bit.
Hole 12 is a short medium length par 3 at 164 yards. Water comes into play on this peninsula green.
Hole 14 is an uphill par 4 that plays a long 440 yards. The tee shot must be long and straight to give a reasonable chance at one of the harder greens to hit. It is protected by water and a large hill in front.
The pressure eases on the par 3 169 yard 15th. With only some bunkers to worry about it.
Hole 16 (par 4 404 yards) is back to a large fairway welcoming your drive just stay away from the right side.
Hole 17 is a shorter 384 yard par 4. A dogleg left, if you can cut the bunker at the corner (about a 250-260 yard carry) then your next shot is a wedge over a couple front side bunkers.
All in all Rush Creek from the Blue tees is not too long. Most holes offer really generous fairways off the tee. Those couple of holes that do not (13, 18) really shrink in your minds eye since you are used to looking at such open spaces on the rest of the holes. From the blues, one of our foursome commented the course is really pretty easy as long as you hit your shots straight. The holes are short enough that most second shots do not require mid or long irons to reach the greens. Choose to step up and take it back a tee or two and this course could be a monster, even with the wide fairways.
With the excellent conditions and the great twilight rate I highly recommend Rush Creek. If you are playing during prime time there are better options out there for less, unless your company is picking up the tab.
For our round we just were able to get in our round. We might have been able to play one more hole before darkness but it would have been really close. We were able to be treated to a great sunset on the last hole.
BTW, the clubhouse has one of the best patios in any golf course in the cities. The food is pretty good at the restaurant too.
Here is a picture of the course layout:
No comments:
Post a Comment