GREAT OUTDOORS WILD NORTH GOLF TRAIL By Sherel Purcell Of the many ways to discover Minnesota’s wild northern splendor, nothing beats golfing her award-winning courses–particularly those on Gitche Gumee, the “Big Sea” of Lake Superior on the North Shore Scenic Drive. “An ocean view golf course in the state of Minnesota,” says Pro Heath Ekstrom of his Superior National at Lutsen, a part of the Wild North Golf Trail located between Lake Superior and the Lutsen ski hill at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains. Each hole on the recently renovated course provides impressive views of the lake, the ancient Sawtooth Mountains or the Poplar River’s large cascading waterfall. Players tee off over said waterfall on the 130-yard, second hole. At Hole 15, the river guards the green on the downhill par 3. At Hole 17, golfers shoot at Lake Superior, the backdrop of the lush green 120 feet below. Some unusual-shaped greens and difficult pin placements add to the putting challenge. Although the holes look intimidating, the renovation produced a beautiful and fun-filled course with wide fairways and white sand bunkers beside larger and more level greens. Five tee boxes allow all golfers to enjoy their rounds while the 19th-hole patio offers Lake Superior views. Silver Bay and Gunflint Hills , two 9-hole courses on the same scenic drive, offer similar views over northern landscapes. The Wild North Golf Trail started with two very different golf courses: The Legend and The Quarry at Giants Ridge Resort in Biwabik, an hour north of Duluth on the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway . The challenging Quarry course features severe hazards, including large brown “spoils” (mounds of rock and dirt), remnants of a sand quarry and an iron ore mine. Sharply elevated tees provide excellent views of the distant Iron Range, adding to the beauty of the rugged terrain. A punishing set of par 5s will present a difficult scenario for shorter hitters, but widened fairways will help to compensate. The Legend course, home of an iconic fairway bunker in the shape of a giant footprint, is built into Superior National Forest and wanders through deep stands of towering pines, clear blue lakes, white sand bunkers and huge boulders along bentgrass fairways. Elevation changes and rocky outcroppings on the 13th hole add the enjoyment of a potential eagle on the oversized green. The signature par 3, 17th hole requires driving over water onto an elevated green. Depending on pin placement, the Legend’s massive greens will require golfers to think carefully about their choice of clubs on approach shots. Nearby, three scenic 9-hole municipal courses merit a visit: Virginia Municipal , Hoyt Lakes –the entry point to the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway and Eveleth , with three holes on Lake St. Mary, including the signature 585-yard, par 5 over water. The Wild North Golf Trail and its environs have lots to offer non-golfers, too, from rock-climbing, paddling and swimming to biking or hiking the paved Mesabi Trail . At the end of the day, non-golfers can join golfers to recap their adventures over dinner at the clubhouse before calling it a night. Accommodations along the golf trail range from full-service resorts such as Giants Ridge and Lutsen to state parks and private campgrounds, including Eveleth Veterans Park , Fisherman’s Point in Hoyt Lakes and Vermilion Trail Campground on Embarrass Lake (visible from the Legend’s 18th hole). Find a map and more information at wildnorthgolf.com. EXPLORING THE 28 | EXPLORE MINNESOTA .COM
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2022 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 28
