In the past eight decades, the University of Minnesota’s Les Bolstad Golf Course has seen a lot of golfers come and go. Developed in 1929, the classic parkland facility was envisioned for multiple uses — golfing, picnicking and as an arboretum.
“The founders wanted green space, a place for people to enjoy recreational life,” says Greg Jamieson, PGA director of golf operations and general manager. “They also saw the course as a natural laboratory.”
Greener greens
The formal arboretum never came to pass, although the course is rich with trees. Moreover, it’s “green” beyond the grass — and behind the scenes, an asset to the university’s research goals.
The U of M’s turfgrass science program uses the course for research in sustainable turfgrass management. The program is interested in studying new turfs that allow for limited mowing, thereby saving fuel and time while aiding the environment.
In addition, the course is an industry leader in converting equipment to run on propane, an approved clean alternative fuel. And a number of businesses have expressed interest in donating services in exchange for use of the site as a demo of safer and more efficient maintenance products.
Other sustainable strides to date: Areas that once had been mowed have been brought back to a more natural state. The grasses were torched and replaced with long grasses. Birdhouses were located to create a bird-friendly environment.
“The U’s Raptor Center has taken to releasing birds near here. We thought they’d leave, but many have taken up residence. As a result, we have a lot fewer gophers.” A bald eagle even patrols the course, keeping the goose population in check.
Jamieson is working to get the course certified by the Audubon Sanctuary Program, a cooperative effort between the United States Golf Association and Audubon International. Plans are also in the works to reinvest in the clubhouse, soil and irrigation systems.
Based on successes at Purdue University’s golf course, Jamieson says another near-term goal is to recycle all water on the U of M course, with the longer-term goal of reusing it.
“There’s a basin at one end of the course that would become a water-capturing reservoir,” he explains. “The course would act as a natural filter: the water that runs through it would actually come out cleaner.”
Celebrity status
Les Bolstad, whose silhouette adorned the 2009 91st championship badge, coached golf at the U of M from 1947 to 1976. He was the 1926 U.S. National Public Links champ and 1928 Big Ten champ.
Other notables to play the course include Patty Berg, winner of the first U.S. Women’s Open (1946); Tom Lehman (winner, 1996 Open Championship); Louis Lick, Karen Weiss and John Harris.
The U of M course remains a favored venue for a number of events, and has hosted the Big Ten men’s and women’s championships, the Lady Northern Invitational, the State Public Links championship and more.
Jamieson says a lot of people aren’t aware that the facility is open to the public, and has been since 1983. Even so, the site’s excellent driving range is the second busiest in the state.
Anyone, neophyte to advanced, can study with the onsite instructors, including pro Jim Manthis, one of just 83 PGA master professionals in the country; Angie Ause, Class A member PGA and LPGA; and Chris Peterson, Class A PGA member and former head pro for the course.
Fees are reasonable, with good discounts for university alumni, students, youth under 18, and faculty (current or retired). The course also hosts fundraisers and team building events on a regular basis. The central location in Falcon Heights makes it an ideal venue for Twin Cities businesses.
Up for some free golf?
Leave a comment below by Friday, Sept. 7, and you’ll be entered to win two rounds of golf (Monday through Friday) at the Les Bolstad Golf Course, along with free cart rental. We’ll contact the winner via email.
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Post by Vincent Hyman, a freelance writer based in St. Paul, Minn.
August 9, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Awesome! Not only does naturalizing the course with long prairie grasses and creating bird habitat do great things for the environment, but it will make the course more scenic, fun to play, and challenging. Good work Greg!
August 9, 2012 at 8:59 pm
I didn’t know eagles kept geese in check. I love the wildlife angle. Gophers and raptors and gophers matching wits day after day as golphers play unaware of the simmering conflict all around. Excellent.
August 10, 2012 at 10:32 am
Wonderful story about a great golf course! I would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate my exemplary golf cart driving skills.
August 22, 2012 at 8:59 am
Great story, great history!
August 22, 2012 at 9:07 am
Had no idea this course existed. Look forward to learning more and hopefully playing when up in the Twin Cities.
August 22, 2012 at 9:13 am
I have a friend who’s son played for the U of M. He had the chance to play this course with his son and said it was awesome. It would be great to see what the university has accomplished on this course development. I was not aware of it being open to the public.
August 22, 2012 at 9:15 am
Keep up the good work. I have always enjoyed the layout and the trees on this course. It sounds like your program will only make it better. Green is Good!
August 22, 2012 at 9:28 am
Great to learn about the research and expanse of the university. The invitation to golf is enticing. The postings point out more information since I read about the turf types and volunteering at the 3M event.
August 22, 2012 at 9:45 am
I passed by the course last week. Some of the fairways appeared a little rough, but it may be that these are still being fine tuned. I have not played this course in years, but plan to do so in the near future.
August 22, 2012 at 10:20 am
My family golfs on the course in the summer and skis it in the winter–love the well-groomed trails. We appreciate all efforts to make the course more environmentally friendly!
August 22, 2012 at 10:24 am
I use to play the course often while attending the U of M. Lived right across the street. It was always a good test of golf. Haven’t played it in years. It’s nice to know they work to keep the green space there and use the technology for course improvements.
August 22, 2012 at 11:13 am
Wonderful story. As an undergrad, I had a 1 credit course in Golf.
Les Bolstad was the Professor. I learned a bit about golf, and just as much about his passion for the game and for the U of M. It was inspiring!
Thanks.
August 22, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Great course! Fun to play! Good brats in the clubhouse! Spend lots of time at the driving range and had a great lesson with a pro there too!
August 22, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Carl Spackler would have loved the U’s Raptor Center to deal with those little brown furry rodents!
Interesting aspect of the course!!
August 23, 2012 at 9:38 am
Good job Greg. The naturalization program is just what the course needs as a beautiful retreat so close to the city. Well done.
August 24, 2012 at 8:45 am
It’s a very nice course, long where it needs to be and short and focused on a couple of the par 3′s. It has some history that makes it well worthy of playing, the holes across the street and the fact that Tom Lehman didn’t really want to stick around in the winters renting cross country gear which is what he would have had to do had he stayed as the PGA Professional there. Just think if his wife had not given him the nudge to go out on tour where he would be today!
August 27, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Course has a great layout–hope that Kaler decides to keep it from becoming another neighborhood of town homes. Interested to see what happens to help the greens and fairways survive the hotter summers we’ve had lately and will be seeing the next few years.
August 28, 2012 at 8:39 am
It is great to hear about how the University is using this gem to advance the research mission while maintaining an A+ course!
August 28, 2012 at 11:47 am
I just hope it stays around for at least another 83 years. A lot of history has been made there.
August 28, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Bolstad is one of the really fun courses in the Twin Cities to play and for the money there are few that compare.
For many years after college, I used to take a summer class at the U of M just so that I qualified for the summer golf pass.
I think you failed to mention that the course also serves as a challenging cross-country venue and hosts the regions largest meets.
September 4, 2012 at 9:35 pm
I hope the course continues to operate as a golf course for many years to come for all the reasons given above. I have heard to many rumors of the land being sold off for development.
September 8, 2012 at 10:08 am
What a great response — thanks everyone. Our lucky winner is Brian Thompson, congrats!