Roseville, Minnesota
Midland Hills delivers a Golden Age Raynor experience rare in the Midwest, now restored to its strategic roots. This is a course for architecture fans and classic shotmakers, elevated by an authentic restoration tale and excellent walkability.
Seek out the rediscovered 1921 Raynor map on display and hear the story of its discovery above the ceiling tiles—it's a rare piece of living golf architecture history.
Midland Hills Country Club is a classic Seth Raynor design, brought back to its Golden Age glory by a meticulous restoration guided by a rediscovered 1921 plan. The course traverses 160 acres of rolling Minnesota terrain and boldly features Raynor’s iconic template holes, wide strategic fairways, and large, distinctively contoured greens. Raynor’s vision is evident at every turn, from the cunning Biarritz to the punishing Road, all laid out with walkable flow and constant opportunity for creative play. The restoration by Jim Urbina has reawakened its architectural DNA, turning the club into a must-see for fans of strategic, old-school golf.
Seth Raynor, protégé of Charles Blair Macdonald, is renowned for iconic templates, and Jim Urbina’s 2020–21 work returned the course to this celebrated architectural tradition.
The #1 handicap hole, this classic Raynor par 5 is both a tactical and physical test—reachably long, with strategic fairway bunkering and a bold green complex inspired by Raynor’s templates. It demands patience, placement, and a nervy second shot for anyone hoping to chase birdie.
Favor the correct lane off the tee—angles matter more than distance—and play your layup to the side that opens up the green’s best approach.
Misplacing the drive or layup brings penal bunkers and difficult recovery shots sharply into play.
Superbly maintained fairways and greens benefiting from the 2020–21 restoration; expect fast, true putting surfaces and consistent turf.
Classic private-club ambiance with a strong sense of architectural tradition and golf-first camaraderie.
Familiarize yourself with the strategic features of Biarritz, Redan, Eden, and Road holes to gain the most from Midland Hills’ architecture.
Despite some rolling terrain, the layout is designed for walkability and rewards those who stroll its classic corridors.
Green complexes are large and full of subtlety—practice trajectory and distance control before your round.
Midland’s exposed spots and firm turf can amplify breezes—watch flags and tree lines for hidden gusts, especially on the par 3s.
Club founded as a new Twin Cities golf project
Course opened for play, original Raynor design
Officially named Midland Hills Country Club
Routing changes and new clubhouse constructed
Further renovations and clubhouse upgrades
Re-opening celebrates restoration and architect’s vision
Superintendent Mike Manthey found an original 1921 Seth Raynor topographical drawing tucked above the office ceiling tiles, sparking the historic restoration that returned Midland Hills to its roots. That blueprint now underpins both architectural pride and everyday play.
Golf course architecture students flock to Midland Hills to see Raynor’s classic template holes—the Biarritz, Road, Alps, Eden, Redan, and more—brought to life across rolling terrain. Each is a living puzzle layered with strategic choices, true to Raynor’s philosophy.
After decades of changes, the club’s ambitious restoration propelled Midland Hills back into Minnesota’s top-tier golf circles—and introduced a new wave of architecture-minded members and guests to its Golden Age charms.
Raynor’s original 1921 design map was discovered hidden above the office ceiling nearly a century after opening.
Midland Hills features all the key Raynor template holes, making it an architecture buff’s dream walk.
The 2020–21 restoration removed decades of tree growth and returned classic lines and playing corridors.
Despite its vintage, the course remains extremely walkable and playable for modern golfers.
Raynor was hired after consulting with a University of Minnesota professor on topographical planning.
Host of major championships, top-tier Golden Age architecture.
Ryder Cup and PGA major host; top modern test.
PGA TOUR accessibility and championship conditions.
One of the area’s best-reviewed public tracks for strong value.
Excellent variety and public-golf experience near Minneapolis.
Downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul for best access to golf, dining, and the architectural/cultural sights.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: The Seawane Club is a natural next stop after Midland Hills Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Bowling Green Country Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Midland Hills Country Club.
Why it matches: Hollywood Golf Club is a natural next stop after Midland Hills Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
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