Club Saved by Titan CEO
Windsong Farm nearly faced closure after the 2008 recession but was rescued by David Meyer, CEO of Titan Machinery. His intervention kept the ambitious club vision alive and paved the way for future growth.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Windsong Farm Golf Club
Independence, Minnesota
Established
2003
Architect
John Fought & Tom Lehman (South Course); John Fought (North Course)
Access
Private
Par
Par 71
Length
5,062 – 7,586 yds
The verdict
A Twin-Cities Modern Classic
Windsong Farm offers a dynamite blend of Golden Age-inspired architecture, championship-caliber conditioning, and dual-course variety you won’t find elsewhere in Minnesota. Both the South and new North Course bring the design spotlight, making this a crown jewel in the region for private golf. Expect a serious test, picturesque land, and club lore that gives every round occasion.
Course DNA
Difficulty
87
Scenery73
Conditioning90
Shot Variety84
Walkability76
Green Complexity85
Wow Factor80
Design Quality86
Don't miss
With both the South and North Courses on property, ask members about playing a 'Windsong Double'—tackling both routings back-to-back for the definitive club experience.
At a glance
Quick facts
Second Course Opened
2025 North Course debut
Original South Course Year
2003
South Course Architect
John Fought & Tom Lehman
Greens Style
Donald Ross-inspired, subtle breaks
Location
20–50 minutes west of Minneapolis
Setting
Former horse farm, rolling prairie
State First
First private Minnesota club with two 18s
The design
The architecture
Windsong Farm’s South Course strikes the perfect balance between traditional inspiration and modern muscle, with a routing that uses rolling farmland for both strategic shot values and subtle beauty. Fought and Lehman’s approach blends classic features—like oversized, cunning greens and cunning bunker placements—with a course big and long enough for modern standards. The 2025 North Course builds on these ideas, taking cues from the Golden Age to provide a distinct, artful feel. Across both layouts, expect strategic decision-making, clever use of land movement, and greens that demand focused approach play.
John Fought, often lauded for his respectful take on Golden Age design, partnered with Tom Lehman to create a pair of modern classics; the North Course deepens this ethos with a pure Fought vision.
Defining features
- Ross-inspired runoffs and collection areas
- Expansive, undulating greens
- Strategic sand and fairway bunkering
- Classic risk-reward par fives
- Crosswinds and shifting angles
- Golden Age homage in routing and shaping
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 4
The Deceiver
PAR
3
YARDAGE
201
This long par-3 challenges even confident ball-strikers, demanding a well-struck iron or hybrid to a subtly contoured green. With bunkers lurking and angles shaping the flag’s accessibility, missing on the wrong side makes a tricky up-and-down almost inevitable.
Play it smart
Play to the heart of the green rather than chasing pins; favor a controlled shot over bravado here.
Where it bites
The front bunkers and dramatic green slope make any short or pulled tee shot almost certain to yield bogey.
Course management
Shots to think about
Opening tee shot on 1
Favor placement over length for the best approach angle into the long, subtly protected green.
Par-3 4th with crosswind
Flight the ball low and trust your club—missing long is better than finding tricky bunkers short.
Second shot on 9
Commit to a safe layup; attempting the green in two is high risk with more trouble than reward for most players.
Approach to 14
Take enough club to clear the front; short is not safe on this burly par-4.
12th fairway layup decision
Plan your layup distance with the green angle and pin location in mind—there's a premium on being on the correct side.
18th hole on approach
Don’t force an aggressive play over water unless you are confident; a three-shot plan often secures the best scoring chance.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Flawless greens, tight fairways, and strategic bunkering hallmark top-shelf private-club turf.
Pace
Play moves at a member's pace; expect a relaxed, unhurried round.
Vibe
Exclusive, inviting, and focused on pure golf.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Brush Up on Classic Strategies
Study old-school shot values—placement and discipline matter more than raw distance here.
02
Pack for All Weather
Minnesota conditions can change fast; bring layers and rain gear year-round.
03
Practice Lag Putting
The greens are vast and deceptive—putting touch is critical to scoring well.
04
Book Your Lodging Early
If you're pairing Windsong with public access courses, west-metro hotels fill quickly in summer.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2003
South Course opens, establishing club
- 2008
Club faces recession-era financial stress
- 2023
North Course construction begins
- 2025
North Course officially opens, creating 36-hole experience
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Minnesota’s Only Dual-18 Private
With the 2025 opening of the North Course, Windsong Farm became the first—and only—private club in Minnesota to offer two fully separate, championship-caliber 18-hole courses. This cements its status as a state powerhouse.
A Nod to the Golden Age
Both courses at Windsong pay homage to classic design, with generous but tricky greens, strategic bunkering, and routes that reward brains and execution. The North Course in particular was designed to channel the spirit of golf’s Golden Age, according to John Fought.
Members-Only Championship Ambition
From its opening, Windsong Farm was unapologetically built to host big events and offer ‘modern classic’ private golf, providing Minnesotans with a destination-caliber test built for serious golf aficionados.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Windsong Farm occupies land that was once a working horse farm.
2
The club was revived from financial trouble by a member-investor who also happens to be the founder of a major agricultural company.
3
It is the only private club in the state with two full-length, championship-caliber 18s.
4
Both courses feature intentional Golden Age architectural motifs, a rarity for modern Minnesota courses.
5
Many members claim the doubleheader—playing both courses in one day—is a must-try challenge.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Twin Cities golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Hazeltine National Golf Club
Private
Championship pedigree and Ryder Cup history
Interlachen Country Club
Private
Classic architecture and iconic regional status
Rush Creek Golf Club
Public
Top daily-fee option west of Minneapolis
Spring Hill Golf Club
Public
Well-reviewed Tom Lehman layout with excellent conditioning
The Royal Golf Club
Semi-Private
Accessible premium experience for out-of-state visitors
Stay in Wayzata or Plymouth for quick access to Windsong and other regional standouts.
Course DNA
If You Like Windsong Farm Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.5
Scioto Country Club
Columbus, OhioWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Scioto Country Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Windsong Farm Golf Club.
Strong DNA Match8.1
Meadowbrook Country Club
Northville, MichiganWhy it matches: If Windsong Farm Golf Club is your kind of course, Meadowbrook Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Concord Country Club
Concordville, PennsylvaniaWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Concord Country Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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