Hole Number #17 - Highlands

Getting To Know: Mississippi National Golf Links

An Insightful Interview With Nathan Gale, Head Golf Professional

By Brian Weis

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Nathan Gale who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
The Highlands course at Mississippi National is a memorable golf experience that offers spectacular views from the bluffs high above the Hiawatha Valley. The Highlands is par 71 and is 6,282 yards from the back tees, and it peers down directly on into the Mississippi River bottoms & surrounding valleys with shots and views that are simply one-of-a-kind. While each hole at the Highlands is memorable and fun to play, its signature hole is No. 17, which features over a 150-foot drop from tee to green.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
Unique design and views of the Hiawatha River Valley and famed Red Wing bluffs.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Take 40 yards off the yardage on #17. the 150 foot drop makes the hole play significantly shorter.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
#17 Highlands. It features 150 foot drop from tee to green. Most people come to play just to have the opportunity to play that hole.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
#10 because it requires 3 great shots to get on the green in regulation. It's a 650 yard par 5. It doesn't really offer a bail out area which is rare for today's golf. I think every course should have one difficult hole that really tests golfers.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
Bagger Burger

Back Tee Stats
Par: 71
Yardage: 6282
Slope: 129
Rating: 70.7

More Information
Mississippi National Golf Links
409 Golf Links Drive
Red Wing, MN, 55066
(651) 388-1874
www.GolfRedWing.com

Revised: 07/09/2015 - Article Viewed 30,061 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.