Century-old Mesaba CC sits on rolling terrain in the quiet of northern Minnesota, surrounded by towering trees. The greens challenge visitors with their disparity in size, slope and undulation, while the thick trees stand in silent warning against spraying the ball.
The round begins with a five-tee par 5 that doglegs slightly to the left. A strong and straight 300-yard tee shot carries the creek that bisects the fairway before the dogleg.
With a sloping green, protected by a bunker on the right and marshland on the left, it's best to leave the approach shot 80-90 yards short. For big hitters trying to get home in two, trust head pro, Gary Yeager: "The safe play is to hook around the pines." Walking away with a par is a victory to start your round.
