(BLOOMINGTON, Minnesota) One of the most revered golf architects in history left very few projects in the Midwest, but Duininck Golf is thrilled to be involved in the restoration of one of them, the 1925 classic at Minnesota Valley Country Club whose designs emulate many of Europe’s most famous and original golf holes. The club has done an exceptional job of retaining the heart of Seth Raynor’s work over the years, but it was time for some structural and mechanical enhancements, and Golf Course Architect, Bill Bergin, was the man for the job.
In 2017 Bergin Design started phase 1 of the Minnesota Valley CC master plan, which gave the membership an opportunity to see what was to come. Judd Duininck, General Manager at Duininck Golf states, “We knew the project was going to be a hit with the membership from day one. At times it can be hard for a club to shut down their entire golf course to complete everything that they want to get completed. Over the next few years, the club saw and got to experience what we knew going in was going to be spectacular all along.”
“We were able to collaborate together with Minnesota Valley Country Club and Bergin Golf Designs to create another successful renovation” Duininck Project Manager, Paul Deis, says, “focused on highlighting the work of Mr. Raynor. Working closely with Bill Bergin, we are executing phase 2 of that master plan; completely rebuilding holes 3 and 4, installing new irrigation, linking the fairways on holes 16 and 17 while also adding new bunkers with liners and adding new bunkers and tee complexes on a handful of other holes.”
Even with those adjustments, today’s layout remains the same as it was on opening day of 1925, the integrity respected and preserved, the roots of his work. A quick tour of the 147 acres shows an incredible attention to detail, especially the bunker work, as Duininck redo the edges of a large bunker that needed a few adjustments to go from good to great. “Bill knows exactly what he wants the final product to look like,” Paul added. “And he does a great job of laying out every feature for us and then working closely step by step to complete that vision.”
The most dramatic changes to the course are presented on holes 3, 4, 17 and 18. The green location on hole 3 has been moved substantially to the right with added distance and punchbowl shaping to encourage more creative play, while the 4th green has more bunker protection and a steep drop off right of the green. Most of the change to the holes on the back are visual, with better viewing of fairways on holes 17 and 18 and more accenting of the landscapes. “Bill puts a lot of thought into the strategy of the game by every level of golfer focusing on creating fair and fun challenges. Here you can see the shots he wants you to hit, and the genius in Seth’s original design. But you still must hit those shots.”
Duininck Golf has worked closely with Bergin Design across the country, a fact that both parties state as intentional and appreciated. “Their personnel are so great to work with,” Project Superintendent Patrick Doyle specifies. “Such great attitudes and willingness to help each other and our staff. Mutual respect is critical in this business and having that makes these projects so much more enjoyable and efficient.”
About Duininck Golf
Duininck Golf is part of the Duininck Companies, established in 1926 based in Prinsburg, MN. A member of the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), Duininck Golf has completed new course, renovation and irrigation installation projects throughout the United States working alongside many well-known golf course architects, many who are members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). With offices in Minnesota, Texas and Georgia, Duininck Golf has the resources and regional expertise to provide uncompromised service and attention to detail to its clients.
Sam Duininck
Sam.duininck@duininck.com
404-895-6716
