Getting To Know: Mississippi Dunes Golf Links

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 Dr. William C. Doebler 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
Perfect sandy soil for a golf course allows links-like conditions, all par 4's and par 5's are heroic strategy while the par 3's are penal strategy. While length is rewarded precision iron play and well thought out strategic play will be rewarded more, but if your gamble is not hit precisely you may make a big number with out a penalty.

Beautiful secluded scenery with 3000 ft on the Mississippi River and no houses to see but still only 15 minutes from the Twin Cities international airport and 10 minutes from downtown St. Paul. Wildlife abounds as well as great fishing in front of the clubhouse. Native prairie grasses and flowers between many fairways. Fairways, tees, and greens of bent/fescue mixture like the turf of Scotland.

The green complexes may be among the hardest in the world. Many fairways are generously wide but precision location rewards the next shot.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
Great conditions, unique course, beautiful scenery, 18 signature holes, great wild life, great tranquility, great food and beverages.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Read the yardage book provided with tips from the architect and also the course record holder. Realize that the holes name may well be a clue of how to play the course.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Still to come!!!

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
All eighteen holes are signature holes because of the beautiful scenery. Most photographers pick the 4th hole which is a long par 3 over native sand to a large but very undulated green easy to 4 putt.

I would pick 17 because of the mystery appearance from the championship tee where there appears no room for mistake but actually as seen from the regular tees is wide open.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
The 10th hole as it is a variation of the hole that made Alister MacKenzie famous. There are many options to play it long, short, safe, gamble etc. depending upon what route of many you choose to take. The left option requires a layup for a good player but allows a run-up shot through terrain where the ball will end up on the green. The other routes require flying the ball to the green. Be long over the green rather than short as the green slopes away from the tee and is also sloping right to left down. Up and downs are very difficult from around the front and left side of the green.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
The Dunes Burger with a frosty mug of craft beer

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
David Tentis shot 54 (eighteen under par) in July 1998 the lowest recorded score in golf history. Most people consider the course one of the hardest they have ever played. David helped build the course and is still involved but is currently the club pro at Troy Burne.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 6750 (plays 500 yards longer due to 6 par 5, 6 par 4, 6 par 3 configuration
Slope: 143 (to low0
Rating: 72.6 (TO LOW)

More Information
Mississippi Dunes Golf Links
10351 Grey Cloud Trail
St. Paul, Minnesota, 55016
651-768-7611
www.mississippidunes.com