April Newsletter

GENERAL MANAGER & HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

IT’S HERE! The Wilderness Golf Course & Grill will be opening Friday, May 10th! Of course that coincides with the Minnesota fishing opener so why not get the best of both worlds. Come up, catch some nice walleye, and get a round in at one of the best courses in the state and country! Make it even easier by staying at Fortune Bay Resort & Casino!

The golf course continues to look very good for this time of year. It is amazing how one winter can be different to the next when it comes to affecting course conditions. As you can imagine I have had many conversations with people on how we came through the winter considering the rough conditions we had last year. The first thought that came to my mind, when we were able to pull the green covers, is it looks just like it did in late September with some added growth. Which is exactly what you want to see! Of course, there are some small areas here and there that need a little more growing in and added attention. This is nothing new and expected this time of year for us and most courses in the Midwest.

I am always excited to get the golf season going each year. Even more so knowing how well our course came through the winter. Most of our staff is returning this year and are looking forward to providing the service you have come to expect. My only hope is for a great weather year, which we are due for, and for you to have a wonderful golf season!     

Some early season events:
Ladies Golf Day – Monday, June 3rd; 9 am shotgun start
Demo Day with Cobra & Srixon/Cleveland - Friday, June 7th; 2 pm - 6 pm

For more information on the above events or to sign up call the golf shop at 218-753-8917!

Happy Golfing!

Ryan Peterson
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GOLF ​COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

Much has been happening since we pulled greens covers less than two weeks ago. The crew has been hard at it performing a variety of chores including drainage line sodding, nursery renovating, open field burning, snow fence removal, various landscape projects, irrigation system charging, rough dragging, fairway aerifying, bunker work, placing golf course accessories, edging sprinklers, power washing clubhouse area, and wetting agent/fertilizer applications on putting greens. Note that there was no mention of mowing as there is more to tending a golf course than just mowing stuff-but we have been doing that as well as the picture below of the driving range illustrates:
 

                                   Driving Range                                                       Driving Range
                             Friday April 26, 2019                                            Monday April 29, 2019
 
Rare to see such a hue of green this early in the season which is a nice break from recent history. Of course, the good fortune that we had with weather for the first week we had the crew back turned to something else altogether with snow hitting the area this past Monday. We were extremely lucky in that we did not get the snow accumulation that other places had. We only lost one productive day of work due to the storm for which we are very thankful.
 

Bunker Maintenance 10 Green
May 2, 2019

Mention was made previously of bunker work and the picture above is a live shot of a solid group in action adding sand and getting bunkers back into playable shape for the coming season. No shovel leaners are evident in this photo. We have gone through over a semi-load of the very expensive white bunker sand for this action and will likely go through another load over the season. Last year’s wet golf season combined with our labor hours being consumed in turf recovery/renovation made trying to keep bunkers in decent shape a real difficult thing to do. This year they should not be the “hazard” that they were last year though a small part of me says, “It’s a hazard. Stay out or take your chances.”

Hotel Entrance Landscape Project
May 2, 2019

 
We had been asked by the resort/hotel to assist with improving the visuals of the hotel front entrance. We were happy to comply and were able to remove the old, haunted looking plants that were there and add a retaining wall to show definition and class. We look forward to adding flowers and ornamentals to this area when we begin planting at the end of the month. Experience has shown that planting annuals up here before June 1st usually leads to death by frost. 
 
On a final note, this year has begun as one of the most enjoyable in recent memory. The course over-wintered well, we were able to power up the irrigation system without a single leak for the first time in recent memory, and most importantly, the wonderful group that we have built here over the past 17 years continues to evolve into an even more veteran golf course maintenance crew. While there will always be changes, we have been fortunate to be able to retain solid contributors while adding excellent replacements. We really have created what is almost a family environment with people taking a genuine pride in what it is that they are doing to help make us be the best golf course that we can be. This really is a fun thing to be a part of. We hope that you, in turn, enjoy the product that we work so hard to present.
 
See you on the golf course, 

Vincent Dodge

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FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER and EXECUTIVE CHEF

This past April 25th, The Wilderness Grill went to the The 10th Annual Flavor of the North held by United Way in support of their Buddy Backpack program. There were over 450 attendees, 24 restaurants/vendors who gave away samples and hundreds of auction items the night was fun for all.
 
This event is huge for a business in the northland. All the attendees vote on four categories: Favorite beverage, appetizer, entrée and dessert. The winners simply take home the bragging rights and we are ecstatic to be one of their restaurants! We came to Flavor of the North with a beverage called The Wilderness Bootlegger, an entrée named Poke Tower and Chef Doug’s famous Banana Mazatlán Waffle for dessert. The Wilderness Grill Banana Mazatlán Waffle was voted on for the Best Dessert!! Thank you to everyone who came to support United Way, have an enjoyable evening out and stopping by our booth. 

Left to Right: Doug Sperry, Ryan Peterson, Ross Polley, Darlene Simonson, Rachel Indihar. Not pictured Michael Freeman.

 
Be sure to visit us this year and taste the Banana Mazatlán Waffle on our menu! Bring along a friend because it serves two! Our Poke Towers will be a featured special from May 17th – May 23rd as a Poke Bowl. This marinated tuna, avocado, rice and various sauces is definitely something to taste. You cannot beat the marinate Chef Doug creates! Be sure to check out our new drink menu that will include The Wilderness Bootlegger. 

Chef Doug’s famous Banana Mazatlan Waffle, which won Best Dessert!

Poke Towers

Important Specials to Note:
NEW! Fore Happy Hour
- Daily 3PM – 6PM
- $4 appetizer and drink menu 
 
Friday & Saturday Night Special
- House Smoked Prime Rib, Limited availability 
 
Mother’s Day
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner specials along with golf and clothing deals
- Click here for more information.
 
Weekly Specials:
May 10th - 16th
May 17th - 23rd

Night on the Patio with Live Music
- Wednesday nights starting June 5th
- Click here for schedule of entertainment and menu specials 
 
We are looking forward to seeing you all very soon!

Food & Beverage Manager, Darlene Simonson & Executive Chef, Doug Sperry

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DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

• College Days - May
• Local Days - May
• Sunset 9 Tuesdays, June - August
• Local Mondays, June - September
• FORE! Happy Hour Daily 3pm-6pm
• Weekly Dining Specials