Ross's Reroute Mystery
Donald Ross personally rerouted much of Minneapolis Golf Club in 1920, yet for reasons unknown, did not include it in his official portfolio—a curiosity still discussed among course historians.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Minneapolis Golf Club
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Established
1916
Architect
Willie Park Jr.; rerouted by Donald Ross (1920); restoration by Jeff Mingay (2020)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
4,169 – 7,045 yds
The verdict
Rooted In History, Built For Members
Minneapolis Golf Club is a private, architectural classic marked by Donald Ross’s iconic touch and a tradition of championship golf. With tree-lined fairways, restored greens, and a recent commitment to conditioning, it stands as a timeless members club that rewards thoughtful play and local pride.
Course DNA
Difficulty
82
Scenery67
Conditioning90
Shot Variety77
Walkability83
Green Complexity80
Wow Factor76
Design Quality86
At a glance
Quick facts
Founded
1916
Original Architect
Willie Park Jr.
Famous Reroute
Donald Ross, 1920
Major Hosted
1959 PGA Championship
Latest Renovation
2020 – Jeff Mingay regrassing & restoration
Greens
Pure bentgrass, recaptured contours
Member Events
Hosts major Twin Cities amateur/club events
Atmosphere
Classic, traditional, serious private club
The design
The architecture
Minneapolis Golf Club blends the vision of Willie Park Jr. and Donald Ross, delivering a classic parkland layout prized for strategic challenge. The 1920 Ross reroute dramatically improved the routing, emphasizing natural land movement and subtle doglegs while restoring connective flow to new clubhouse anchors. A recent restoration recaptured lost green contours and broadened fairway angles, reinvigorating the cerebral shot values that define the course. Expect a diverse set of par threes and fives, with signature Ross touches—a demand for proper angles, subtle elevation, and risk-reward scenarios layered throughout.
Ross’s rerouting created a course praised for both flow and strategic depth, while a century’s work has preserved and renewed his vision.
Defining features
- Ross-rerouted classic parkland flow
- Greens with expressive contours, recaptured in 2020
- Tree-lined, mature landscaping framing classic holes
- Strategic angles and fairway width restoration
- Multiple strong, varied par 3s and finishers
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 8
The Long Gauntlet
PAR
4
YARDAGE
458
This marathon front-nine par 4 tests both distance and accuracy, demanding a shaped tee shot and a precise long-iron into a well-defended green. The hole's length seizes your focus, but it’s often the narrow approach that truly decides your fate.
Play it smart
Favor the right half of the fairway for a better angle in, as deep bunkers and swales protect left misses.
Where it bites
Get caught short or left and you face a brutal up-and-down; par here gains on the field.
Course management
Shots to think about
Opening tee shot on 1
Resist the urge to overpower—position is key for an attackable second.
Approach on 8
Take enough club and favor the safest side; miss small.
Second on 15
Assess the wind; bold only if you’ve struck two great shots, otherwise wedge for birdie.
Long irons on par 3s
Focus on center targets—pars mean gains on these holes.
Tee ball on 14
Aggressive line offers a birdie look but plays risk against reward; know your carry.
Final approach on 18
Commit fully—short leaves an awkward pitch, long brings a tough up-and-down.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Excellent, championship-caliber surfaces with pure bentgrass from the 2020 restoration.
Pace
Member pace—generally steady and comfortable, with no major delays.
Vibe
Traditional, serious, and private; expect a focus on golf over flash.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial In Long Irons
Par 3s demand quality shots from 200+ yards; practice precise long-iron approaches.
02
Scout Angles Off Tees
Know which side of each fairway offers the best approach into these green complexes.
03
Brush Up On Fast Greens
Quick, recaptured contours reward good touch; spend time on the practice putting green.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1916
Minneapolis Golf Club founded; Willie Park Jr. designs first course
- 1920
Donald Ross reroutes and revises course for new clubhouse
- 1924
Club hosts first tournament: Minnesota State Open
- 1950
Hosts the U.S. Amateur Championship
- 1959
Hosts the PGA Championship, won by Bob Rosburg
- 2020
Jeff Mingay-led restoration and regrassing; greens recaptured and surfaces updated
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Championship Moment in 1959
Bob Rosburg captured his only major at the 1959 PGA Championship on this ground, making Minneapolis GC a rare Minnesota host of a men's major.
Restoration for the Next Century
A sweeping 2020 renovation modernized the surfaces and restored Ross’s historic green contours, breathing new life into classic strategies for today's members.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Donald Ross rerouted the course, but never listed it on his own résumé.
2
Hosted the PGA Championship in 1959, rare for Minnesota.
3
Recent restoration brought back original green shapes and fairway widths.
4
Opened in 1916 and moved early in its history from leased land.
5
Recaptured green contours during the 2020 renovation for modern challenge.
Build the trip
If you’re making a classic Twin Cities golf trip
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Hazeltine National Golf Club
Private
Major championship pedigree; modern American classic
Minikahda Club
Private
Elite historic club with strong Ross influence
Interlachen Country Club
Private
Another Ross gem, full of Minnesota golf lore
White Bear Yacht Club
Private
Regarded for its unique greens and summer beauty
Southwest Minneapolis or Edina—easy access to private clubs and city amenities.
Course DNA
If You Like Minneapolis Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.4
Burning Tree Club
Bethesda, MarylandConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Burning Tree Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Minneapolis Golf Club.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Kansas City Country Club
Mission Hills, KansasConditioning
Why it matches: If Minneapolis Golf Club is your kind of course, Kansas City Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame
South Bend, IndianaWhy it matches: If Minneapolis Golf Club is your kind of course, Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
The architect's other work
More from Donald Ross
Minikahda Club
Minneapolis, MNClassic Ross routing; nearby historic peer
Interlachen Country Club
Edina, MNMajor host, elite parkland design
White Bear Yacht Club
White Bear Lake, MNRoss greens and strategic angles
Woodhill Country Club
Wayzata, MNOld-school parkland, strong greens
Northland Country Club
Duluth, MNDramatic terrain, noted Ross greens
Community Sentiment
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