The Quarry Secures Top Ranking Among Public Courses in Minnesota and U.S.; The Legend Maintains Top-10 Showing in Publication’s Annual State-By-State Rankings
(BIWABIK, Minn.) – Giants Ridge – Minnesota’s premier all-seasons recreation area set in the rugged beauty of the Mesabi Iron Range – announces that both its courses, The Quarry and The Legend, maintained their top-10 status in Golfweek’s annual Best State-By-State Courses You Can Play rankings.
The Quarry secured the No. 1 spot in the publication’s annual list of the top public courses in the Gopher State for the 12th consecutive year. The Jeffrey Brauer design also ranked No. 46 among the ‘Top 100 Courses You Can Play’ and No. 122 among the ‘Top 200 Modern Courses (built in or after 1960)’. The Legend also placed in the rankings, finishing sixth among the top public courses in the state. Giants Ridge was the only resort in Minnesota to boast multiple courses in the top-10 of these rankings.
Golfweek’s team of course raters determines the publication’s annual course ranking lists. Each year, the panel evaluates courses, grading each nominated layout based on 10 criteria. According to Golfweek, “[the raters] also file a single overall rating on each course. Those overall rankings on each course are averaged, then each course is ranked against other courses.”
“Every year we are thankful that Golfweek and its esteemed roster of raters think so highly of our golf courses,” says Giants Ridge Director of Golf John Kendall. “Ranking both The Quarry and The Legend in the top 10 acknowledges the magnificent work our team does to provide guests a truly memorable golf experience during the season.”
Located just over three hours from the Minneapolis – St. Paul metro area, Giants Ridge offers tremendous hospitality, unbeatable value and incredible golf. Although both are designed by renowned course architect Jeffrey Brauer, each course features a unique layout and character.
The Quarry, aptly named for its location on a former sand quarry and iron ore mine, is frequently regarded as the best public golf course in Minnesota. The course features dramatically elevated tees and hazards forged from reclaimed and repurposed mine land, offering stunning vistas of the Iron Range that distinguish it from other courses.
Established in 1997, The Legend is recognized for establishing the golf scene in Minnesota’s Iron Range and transforming the region into a globally renowned golf destination. Set within the Superior National Forest, the player-friendly layout weaves through towering pines and alongside the sparkling Sabin Lake.
The Best State-By-State You Can Play recognition is the latest Golfweek honor bestowed to the Giants Ridge layouts in 2026. Earlier this year, the publication listed The Quarry at No. 35 in its “Top 200 Resort Courses in the U.S.” rankings. The Quarry finished ahead of the Loop Red and Black Course at Forest Dunes in Michigan and just behind Mossy Oak in Mississippi.
The Legend also placed in Golfweek’s annual rankings of the top resort courses in the U.S., finishing tied for 123rd with the Lakes Course at Grand National in Alabama. Finishing just ahead of The Legend at 122nd was the Ocean Course at Hokuala in Hawaii, while the Ocean South Course at Pelican Hill in California was 125th.
Considered one of the best values in the region, Giants Ridge‘s popular 36-Hole Golf Special package includes golf with a cart on both courses, range balls, and lunch between rounds for $210 on weekdays and $230 on weekends. The 36-Hole Golf Special package is available from May 29 through Aug. 23.
Beyond its two superb golf courses, Giants Ridge is a true four-season resort featuring its newly constructed Pool & Sauna Haus, and other summer activities such as lift-served downhill mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, hiking trails, a disc golf course, and climbing wall in, and transforms into a premier winter ski and snowboard destination with more than 200 skiable acres and an extensive Nordic skiing trail system of more than 60 kilometers.
Giants Ridge also offers a variety of amenities to enhance the experience, including lodging options nearby, as well as multiple on-site dining choices, such as Burnt Onion Kitchen & Brews, Bunkers at The Legend and the Wacootah Grill.
For more information, visit www.giantsridge.com or call 218-865-8000.
About Giants Ridge
Located in the heart of Minnesota’s Iron Range, Giants Ridge is the state’s premier all-seasons recreation destination. In the summer, Giants Ridge offers exceptional golf, with two courses that are widely considered the best in Minnesota. Giants Ridge also features world-class mountain biking through a trail system ideal for cross-country and downhill biking. Guests also can enjoy hiking, disc golf and other outdoor activities through the scenic forests and around the gleaming lakes on-site, or enjoy nature’s beauty from up high, courtesy of a scenic chairlift ride.
In the winter, GIants Ridge provides superior alpine skiing and snowboarding across a variety of terrain, a vibrant terrain park, and family favorites like snow tubing. Guests can also enjoy snowshoeing, Nordic skiing on over 60 kilometers of groomed trails, winter hiking and fat biking. Giants Ridge’s new Pool & Sauna Haus also provides the perfect escape to unwind after a day on the links. Consistently recognized as one of Minnesota’s top destinations, Giants Ridge continues to deliver unforgettable winter adventures for all ages and skill levels.”
