The beautiful Lanesboro Golf Course, in Lanesboro, Minn., has been providing entertainment, comradery and memories for area residents for 100 years, which is a great reason to celebrate.
The golf course was the vision of a group of area residents, became a reality in 1925, and was incorporated in 1929. The Lanesboro Golf Course has the distinction of being the first golf course in Fillmore County.
High on the bluffs of Lanesboro, the course is not only lush, but it can also be challenging due to the terrain. “It’s a 9-hole course known for offering a fair challenge to golfers of all levels,” according to lanesborogolfcourse.com.
The course measures 5,458 yards from the longest tees, with a par 35, a course rating of 65.8, and a slope rating of 105. The course features Bent grass as well.
There have been changes over the last 100 years at the golf course, including replacing sand greens with grass greens in the mid-1960s and expanding the original clubhouse in 1991.
“It was a cornfield to start out with, before it was a golf course,” stated longtime member Lynne Jacobson.
Another interesting fact is that “some of the course is in the country and some of it is in the city,” noted member Jerry Post.
The current board of directors for the Lanesboro Golf Course include Gary Wade – president, Paige Aiken – vice president, Ellen Johnson – secretary, Beth Manfull – treasurer, and members Abby Drake, Payton Benson, Cory Strom, Jim Iverson and Amy Lawstuen.
Wade, who is in his first year as board president says things “are going fantastic” and he is enjoying the position. He also gives a big shout out to Aiken for all of her help keeping things running smoothly.
“The members are sensational up here – all the way through – I can’t say enough about them,” stated Wade.
“They always have been, they really have over the years,” added Jacobson.
“If it wasn’t for our members, our cleanup would have been tough after the last storm,” noted Wade, as many people showed up the next day to help with removing debris.
In addition to local residents, the golf course gets many visitors from all over, whether they happen to be in the area on vacation, visiting family or coming specifically to play the course.
The Lanesboro Golf Course has a lot to offer golfers and non-golfers alike and is open to the public. There seems to always be something going on at the golf course, even in the off season. These events bring children, adults and families to the golf course.
From women’s tournaments, men’s tournaments, ALS tournament, Ace Johnson tournament, Burro Pride tournament, child/adult tournaments, and couples night every fourth Friday and meat raffles on Sundays, just to name a few of the activities at the Lanesboro Golf Course.
This year, there was a 100th anniversary irrigation system fund tournament to help raise funds for a new irrigation system. “The membership and the turnout of funds has been overwhelming,” stated Wade.
Night golf is also a very popular event at the golf course. If you have never experienced it, your chance is coming up soon. On September 20 the popular night golf up will take place. “It’s cool to come up and see the course lit up,” stated Aiken. Also, on September 21, there will be a thank-you party with a brunch, meat raffle, food and drink specials and DJ Dewey entertaining the crowd.
“It’s a hub of activity up here, there is always something going on,” noted Wade.
There are approximately 160 members of the Lanesboro Golf Course, and everyone is welcome to become a member. Membership costs vary.
The golf course employs one full-time person and 14 people on a part-time basis.
Wyatt Applen, the full-time clubhouse manager, has been doing a phenomenal job, offering a full kitchen and bar as well as food specials.
Plan to spend a day challenging yourself at a round of golf on the Lanesboro Golf Course soon, and save time to have a bite to eat, a cold beverage, and some laughs with friends.
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