Staff photo by Travis Rosenau The New Ulm Country Club’s 18-hole, semi-private course offers a wide variety of challenges to take on and scenery to view.

The 2024 season of golf has teed off as area golf courses have opened for another season of golf. Here is some information about some of the area’s courses.

NEW ULM COUNTRY CLUB

NEW ULM — New Ulm Country Club’s 18-hole, Par-71 golf course sits along the Cottonwood River and Flandrau State Park, offering a fun experience and challenge for all golfers.

Covering 6,200 yards, the course is home to many tournaments over the summer, such as this year’s 64th Invitational from June 7 to June 9. Last year’s Invitational winner was Lukas Stull, who won the championship stein for the third time.

Other tournaments include the MLC Tournament on June 10, the American Cancer Society Tournament on June 17, the Rolling Thunder Tournament on July 15, back for its second tournament after making its debut last year. More tournaments to keep an eye on are the N.U.S.E. Hockey Tournament on July 19, the B&L Mixer on July 28, the B&L Classic on July 29, the Club Championship from July 31 to August 4, the Oak Hills Memorial on August 12, the 3M Golf Tournament on August 17, the Schell’s Bottle Opener on August 25 and the Schell’s Bottle Cap Open on August 26.

Green fees are $23 for nine holes on weekdays and $25 for nine holes on weekends. The rates jump to $37 for 18 on weekdays and $39 for weekends. Junior nine holes are $10 and $20 for 18 holes.

Cart rentals are $18 per person for 18 holes or $11.50 for nine holes. Tournament carts cost $18 per person to rent, while reciprocal carts cost $18/$30 per person. You can also use the driving range (range balls, bag of 50 costs $6) and there are clubs available to rent for $10.

The NUCC also has free guest days, where guests of members get their green fees waived. This year they are April 28, May 19, June 2, July 14, August 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 6 and Nov. 4.

In addition, there is the Tuesday Night League, which is open for members and non-members of NUCC, and the Sunset League, open for women members and non-members only. The Tuesday Night League begins May 21 and concludes on August 6, while the Sunset Leage takes place on Thursday nights in June and July and begins June 20.

The New Ulm Country Club is also home to the Cottonwood Grill, which features a large menu of food and beverages to choose from, such as street tacos, chicken tenders, loaded nachos, salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizza. Even those that don’t want to hit the links can call in and place take-out orders at 507-354-8896. A full menu is available online at golfnewulm.com.

Those seeking to become a member can go to www.golfnewulm.com/membership and fill out the form online. Also, the New Ulm Country Club requires golfers to set up a tee time, which can be done either online or by phone at 354-8896.

For more information, call 507-354-8896 or visit www.golfnewulm.com.

SLEEPY EYE GOLF CLUB

SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye Golf Club is a premier and well-maintained nine-hole course that is located just off of Highway 14 west of Sleepy Eye.

There are a share of challenges along the 2,971-yard course, but golfers should experience a fun time while taking in beautiful scenery along the way.

The current rates are $18 for nine holes and $28 for 18 holes during the week. A weekday second nine will cost $10. Weekend rates are $20 for nine holes and $30 for 18 holes, with a second nine adding $10 to the tab. Cart fees are $10 for nine holes per rider and $20 for 18 holes per rider.

Reciprocity fees are $15 per person for nine holes and $25 per person for 18 holes, which are required even if walking.

There are also Green Fee Specials, which includes allowing golfers the chance to play all day with a cart for $35 on Mondays. Another special gives students ages 16 and under the opportunity to golf nine holes for $9.

If golfing with a member of the course, it will cost $13 for nine holes during the week or $18 for 18 holes. During the weekend, the price jumps to $15 for nine holes and $20 for 18 holes. The second nine cost for both is $5.

To become a member, fill out an application by visiting sleepyeyegolfclub.com/membership. Printed and filled out applications are asked to be mailed to Sleepy Eye Golf Club, PO Box 528, Sleepy Eye, MN 56085. Those interested can also drop off their membership application at Sleepy Eye Golf Club with payment.

The Prairie Greens Bar & Grill, located at Sleepy Eye Golf Club, is also open to the public. Whether golfing or not, those interested in a meal, drink and a good time are invited to stop in. There are more than 70 different meals to choose from and the B&G is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week all year.

Happy Hour offers $1 off drinks every Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sleepy Eye Golf Club specials and information can also be found on Facebook or Instagram.

The 8th annual Sleepy Eye Invitational takes place on July 20 this year. The SEU Football Tournament takes place on August 10.

For more information, call 507-794-5249, email segc@sleepyeyegolfclub.com or visit sleepyeyegolfclub.com.

WINTHROP GOLF COURSE

WINTHROP — A few miles south of Winthrop off of Highway 15, the Winthrop Golf Course is for all skill levels, featuring 2,912 yards of golf with a course rating of 34.1 and a slope rating of 114.

The nine-hole, par 36 course opens daily at 8 a.m. Rates for nine holes are $14, adding a cart for $10. The cost for 18 holes is $21, with a cart for $15. “Wacky Wednesdays” are half price green fees, not including the cart.

A few tournaments that Winthrop Golf Course will be hosting are a one-person scramble on Saturday, May 11, a two-person scramble on Saturday, June 8, the Corn Growers Tournament on Wednesday, June 26, and the Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament on Tuesday, July 16. The course also offers league play, with Seniors League playing Tuesday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m., Ladies League playing Tuesday evenings at 5:30 p.m., and Men’s League playing on Thursday afternoons.

For more information or to ask about tee times, visit winthropgolfing.com or call 507-647-5828. A new arial tour is also available on their website. Winthrop Golf Course is located at 55155 300th St., Winthrop.

SPRINGFIELD GOLF COURSE

SPRINGFIELD — Built in 1956, Springfield Golf Course is set along the Cottonwood River on the south edge of Springfield, Minnesota.

It offers a fair but challenging experience with narrow fairways and midsized greens that slope from back to front. This nine-hole course is open at 9 a.m. daily and also offers a full service bar, delicious food and a patio overlooking the 9th green.

Springfield Golf Course also offers a variety of tournament, incuding a Cinco de Mayo 3-person scramble on May 4, a ladies golf fun night on May 29, the Springfield Invitational Tournament on June 14 and 15, the 16th Annual Springfield Chamber Tournament on June 26, and the Tiger Pride Tourbament on July 19. To check the full tournament and event list, visit springfieldgolfcourse.net/events/. To sign up for the tournaments, stop in at the Clubhouse or call in at (507) 723-5888.

Green fees for the course are $20 for nine holes and $25 for 18 holes, $5 more for each aditional round, with cart rentals available for an additional $20 for nine holes and $25 for 18 holes. Monday through Wednesday, there is unimited golf for $35 with a cart, and students can golf 18 holes for $20.

Memberships are also available for a variety of prices, with student memberships for 18 years and younger costing $200, while young adult memberships for those who are 30 and under are $500. First year adult memberships for people who haven’t been a member for the past three seasons are $400, while single adult memberships are $700. Couple membersips are $800, while family memberships are $900 and inclues children ages 22 and under. First year family memberships are $700.

For more information, please call (507) 723-5888 or visit their website at springfieldgolfcourse.net.

MADELIA GOLF COURSE

MADELIA — Madelia Golf Course is a challenging 9-hole experience that is located along the edges of the Watonwan River and Watona City Park in Madelia.

The par 36 course is settled just north of the Watonwan County Road 9 exit off of Highway 60. The golf course’s upgraded irrigation system, which was installed a few years ago, keeps the course’s condition in tip-top shape.

Green fees are $15 for the first round Monday through Thursday and $10 each additional round. The rates increase to $17 for the first round Friday through Sunday and Holidays and each additional round is $10. Junior golf rates per round for those under 16 years of age is $10.

Punch cards offered include 10 punches for $115 and 20 punches for $230.

There are currently spring membership specials going until April 30. Those interested can stop by City Hall and sign up. The special deals include a family membership for $450, single membership for $350, senior membership (65+) for $300, junior membership (ages 19-24) for $200 and student membership (ages 18 and under) for $100.

After that date, a family membership costs $600, while a single membership costs $450 and a senior membership costs $400. Junior memberships will cost $250, while student memberships will cost $125.

Cart rentals for the first round cost $20, with an additional round adding another $10 to the bill. A valid driver’s license is required to rent a motorized cart. Golf Carts are authorized for use only in the Golf Course area and are not allowed for use in other parts of the Park System.

For your convenience, Madelia Golf Course asks those interested in scheduling a tee time to please call 507-642-3608 to schedule their tee time. They also ask that golfers arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their start time.

Reservations may be made up to a week in advance.

Visit www.madeliamn.com/recreation/madelia-golf-course for more.

OAKDALE GOLF CLUB

BUFFALO LAKE — Oakdale Golf Club is an 18-hole public golf course located on Lake Allie in south central Minnesota.

It’s beautiful country setting, 12 miles southwest of Hutchinson, also features a full bar & grill with several food and beverage options.

Rates this season from Monday to Thursday are $24 for 18 holes walking or $18 for 18 holes walking. Nine holes with a cart costs $29, while 18 holes with a cart costs $39.

Friday to Sunday rates run as followed: 18 holes with a cart costs $47, 18 holes walking costs $30, nine holes with a cart costs $34 and nine holes walking costs $22. There is a senior special (ages 60+), where golfers can play 18 holes with a cart for $33 from Monday to Thursday. Ages 15 and under with a paid adult can golf for $12 anytime, nine holes or 18 walking, while ages 8 and under are free. Prices above do not include tax.

Visit www.oakdalegolfclub.com/teetimes to book your tee time today. For more information, call 320-587-0525 or email info@oakdalegolfclub.com.

MAYFLOWER GOLF COURSE

FAIRFAX — Set on 160 acres of land, the Mayflower Golf Club enters its 52nd year of providing a par-36 public golf course to Fairfax and the surrounding area. Set along the winding Ford Ridgley Creek and many wooded areas, the course features a clubhouse with a bar & grill.

The Mayflower is open to the public seven days a week and is 3 miles south of Fairfax, at 46321 County Road 39. The club offers a nine-hole course, driving range, practice green, rentals for golf carts, golf boards, pull carts and golf clubs.

The 2024 rates during the weekdays are $16.53 for nine holes and $25.61 for 18 holes. On weekends, nine holes are $18.40 and 18 holes are $27.94. Ages 9-14 have a reduced rate, $8.38 for nine holes and $12.57 for 18, while ages 8 and under are free. A punch card that allows 12 rounds of nine-hole golf is $169.

Tee times are from 7 a.m. to sunset from April to October.

If interested in booking a tee time, call 507-426-9964 or visit their website at https://www.mayflowergolfclub.com/tee-times. If interested in membership prices, call 507-426-9964 or visit https://www.mayflowergolfclub.com/memberships-1.

ST. JAMES GOLF COURSE

ST. JAMES — Opened in 1998 as an 18-hole course, St. James Golf Course is under new management this year and has regained the visually stunning course that has preserved much of the natural vegetation of the Minnesota countryside.

Located at 66818 Highway 60 East, St. James, the course offers a tranquil round of golf and was designed by Joel Goldstrand, one of the most prolific golf course designers in the upper midwest. A native to Minnesota, Goldstrand designed over 85 courses in five different states. The course also features the Rivers Edge Grill and a golf pro-shop.

Rates for nine holes are $26 from Monday to Wednesday walking, or $31 with a cart. Thursday to Sunday, nine-hole rates are $28 walking or $34 with a cart. For 18 holes Monday to Wednesday, rates are $42 walking and $46 with a cart, while Thursday to Sunday are $44 walking or $50 with a cart.

For more information, visit the website at stjamesgolfcourse.com or call 507-942-7484.

NORTH LINKS GOLF COURSE

NORTH MANKATO — North Links Golf Course is a prairie style course just west and north of Mankato. This 18-hole course also serves as a wedding or other party venue and is located at 41553 520th Street, North Mankato. Rates for individual rounds are $36-$46 for 18 holes, with a riding cart available for an additional $16. Early Bird rates for rounds starting before 8 a.m. are $30-$41, with carts again available for $16. Twilight rounds after 3 p.m. are $21-$26, with carts available for $9.50, while nine holes can be played for $21-$26, with carts for $9.50. Weekday senior rates are $27 for 18 holes and $16 for nine holes, while ages 17 and younger can play 18 holes for $15.

Passes are also available to purchase, with a 10-round pass of 18 holes priced at $320 and nine holes for $190. Loyalty season passes and range passes are also for sale.

For more information, call 507-947-3355, email info@northlinksgolf.com or visit the website at northlinksgolf.com.