Getting To Know: Breezy Point Resort
An Insightful Interview With Mark Neva, Head Golf Pro
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 Mark Neva who shares some valuable tidbits about the resort.
Give Our Readers an Overview of the Golf Course/Property
Named in honor of Arnold Palmer's father "Deke", Deacon's Lodge is considered one of Palmer's best designs. Sculpted from 500 acres of Northern Minnesota wilderness, Deacon's Lodge combines the uncompromised beauty of surrounding lakes, woodlands and wetlands with a nationally acclaimed layout meticulously maintained to exceed your golf adventure expectations. Featuring massively wide bent grass fairways, masterfully designed green complexes, and native transition areas throughout, Deacon's Lodge guests are greeted by 18 championship holes equally deserving of signature hole status.
Additionally, Breezy Point offers its original championship course Whitebirch, a local favorite, and The Traditional course which played host to both Patty Berg and Walter Hagen in the early 1900's. Complimented by 4 unique restaurants, "Dockside" sports bar, spa, boat marina, paddle driven cruise boat, sugar sand beaches and multiple accommodation options, Breezy Point has been Minnesota's "Go-To" resort for over 90 years
For someone who has not played the course in a while, has there been any new changes/renovations to course or property?
Purchased in 2012 by Breezy Point Resort, Deacon's Lodge has recommitted itself to course conditioning. Although Palmer's blueprints remain unchanged since 1999, new technologies, equipment, and turf management practices have allowed Deacon's Lodge to fine tune the details. Coupled with 20 years of maturing, The Golf Course at Deacon's Lodge is said to be in the best condition ever.
What is your course's claim to fame, or is there a little known fact that golfers should know about the property?
Selected as one of Arnold Palmer's best in the inaugural issue of Kingdom magazine, the dramatic par 3 seventeenth at Deacon's Lodge was chosen from a list of 2,700 Palmer designed holes to be included in the "King's Dream 18"!
Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Arnold Palmer Signature Course, Arnold Palmer Design Company
Top 10 New Public Course in United States, Golf Digest (2000)
Minnesota's Top 5 Public Course, Golfweek Magazine (2005-Current)
America's 100 Greatest Public Course, Golf Digest
Top 100 Courses You Can Play, Golf Magazine
What tournaments/events have you (recently) hosted or will be hosting?
2004 Senior Players Championship (Minnesota Golf Association)
2007 Mid-Amateur Championship (Minnesota Golf Association)
2011 Players Championship (Minnesota Golf Association)
2015 Senior Amateur Championship (Minnesota Golf Association)
Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
A number most likely never to be repeated, staff member Jesse Nelson (PGA) shot a remarkable "62" during a mystical round that included a "hole-out" eagle on the par 4 16th and "in the dark" pars on the closing two holes. 62 is the lowest score ever recorded at Deacon's Lodge by 3 shots!
If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
In addition to being visually stunning, extra wide fairways, massive green complexes, and 6 unique tee options make Deacon's Lodge enjoyable to all skill levels. A course on everyone's must-play list, Deacon's Lodge promises to challenge the best while entertaining the rest. Furthermore, we guarantee you'll be greeted with a smile!
More Information
Breezy Point Resort
9252 Breezy Point Drive
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(800) 432-3777
www.breezypointresort.com
Revised: 02/05/2018 - Article Viewed 21,502 Times
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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.
Contact Brian Weis:
GolfTrips.com - Publisher and Golf Traveler
262-255-7600