June Newsletter

GENERAL MANAGER & HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL
Well, the golf season is under way.  It may not be the norm but still is great that we can get outside and enjoy the great game of golf.  It is even better now that we are able to offer inside seating so you can enjoy a great meal at The Wilderness.  Because you never know when it is going to rain!  Make sure on your next visit to make a reservation at the Wilderness Grill and see what Chef Bryan is cooking up! If you have seen me lately, you know I have been enjoying chef’s food! ?

Things are a little dry up in our area but that just means you can get a little extra distance on those drives.  The golf course is in great shape; the greens are rolling true and continue to speed up each week.  The only thing missing is YOU! 

Also, great news!  Fortune Bay Casino and Hotel opened up June 1.  If you are looking for a place to stay or just a getaway for some gaming entertainment Fortune Bay has what you need.  Check out Fortunebay.com to see what they have to offer and more importantly, what guidelines they have put in place to ensure everyone’s safety. 

I hope everyone is staying safe during this time.  With our short summer now here, it is time to get outside and have some fun!

Hope to see you at The Wilderness soon!

Happy Golfing,

Ryan Peterson
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GOLF ​COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
April turned to May and the Governor said, let there be golf...Gjallarhorns were sounded and the green flag waived, and it was on!!  Golfers turned out in full force in May, some even braving 20 degree mornings, but they were excited no less...and so were we.  We were excited to show off our product...then 20 turned into 80 degrees, and we lost an irrigation satellite for a couple of weeks, then sadly the eighth hole looked more like August in the Desert than May in Minnesota.  I learned a long time ago in dealing with grass, nothing good happens fast...and so, we continue to baby the eighth green along waiting for it to fill in.  The good thing is that most of the issue is cosmetic and we are able to keep the green rolling smooth as ever.  

Speaking of a little brown hue...I’ve learned a new term since starting, “the lake is low”...which I’ve figured out means we need rain.  It sure has been a dry spring, but that has allowed me to really dance that fine line of keeping the fairways firm and fast, while sacrificing a little in the cosmetic look.  At least the skyball hitters and the worm burner drivers will love it.  
May brought on a couple interesting things...a stuck irrigation head and a 20 degree night...

Cool spring mornings after warm spring days...

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Created a dew whip to give that clean and dry fairway feel...also, probably more importantly, knocking off dew is incredibly useful in disease prevention.

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We had our first Monday Evening Maintenance Party...Ole leading the way on the verticutter.

While the greens started off a bit on the slower side.  Coming out of winter, you always want to be cautious in how hard you push them.  Verticutting is the first step in getting up to that peak season speed. 

As we move into June, be on the lookout for the amazing flower arrangements, and be sure to give a shoutout to Marilyn for the amazing job she does arranging them all...as well as Bryan, Anita, Billie Jean and the rest for their tireless effort in getting them all planted.

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This month’s amazing worker is Anita Milbridge...Anita is one of the crew's OG.  Born and raised in northern Minnesota, in 2004 Anita needed a job, so she signed on with Wadsworth Construction crew that was contracted to build The Wilderness.  Anita quickly showed her keen eye and ability to set grade, and was tasked in setting irrigation heads.  After travelling with Wadsworth for a couple of years, Anita returned to Tower, and has been a staple on the crew ever since.  Asked what brings her back every season, she says, “she’s fallen in love with the crew, they are like family.”...no, literally...she met her husband on the crew!!!   If you see Anita, say thanks, not only for what she has done, but for what she still does.   

Well duty calls, and I’ll have to keep this month’s letter a little shorter and months past.  I want to give a shoutout to my guy, Louie...thanks for the feedback and the respectful, single first off.  Look forward to seeing you next year.  I hope you have enjoyed, and maybe learned something new.  If you enjoy this type of thing...feel free to follow along in our summer journey to provide the best this course has to offer.  We have a new twitter page @WildernessGCM and our Blog ‘Between the Trees’.  

I want to leave you with this, 2020 has been a crazy year so far, and while we were running around trying to finish up Maintenance Monday before dark, I couldn’t help but stop and admire the view...

Because too many times, we just forget to look.  
As always, we look forward to seeing you on the 1st tee and keep it between the trees. 

Red 

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DINING ROOM MANAGER
As I sit here typing this, I hear voices coming from the diners in the restaurant and what a joy that brings to our staff and myself. We have a great crew, some returning and some new. We are all so thankful to be able to welcome you all to dine with us each year, but this year it feels extra special due to the circumstances.

Kendra Swanson

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WILDERNESS CHEF
Even with limited seating The Wilderness Grill has been busy! I have been training new staff, gardening for the restaurant, cooking and dreaming about my scratch game. Every one of my staff who has worked with me over the last few weeks have been amazing. Big shout out to them! Please come dine with us and take in the amazing views of our top rated golf course.

A few ingredients I’d like to highlight this month are the asparagus, spinach and rhubarb. With my menus I incorporate fresh ingredients for the current season. For spring, we are using fresh vegetables such as asparagus and spinach cooked in various ways on several dishes. Our summer menu will be coming in July! The rhubarb is 5th generation, over 100 years old and grown in Soudan just minutes from The Wilderness. You will find this in two desserts, the Rhubarb Pasties and Buttermilk Panna Cotta. Give these a try and let me know what you think! We have also created the “Bear Claw” a signature drink with homemade rhubarb lemonade, vodka and prosecco. Our take on a White Claw.

ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL

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DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
The spring weather in the northland has been pretty good with less rain than the most recent years but just a bit windy. Mother Nature if you could tone down the wind a notch that would be perfect! Thank you to everyone who has golfed and dined with us so far! It is great to see everyone out and about. I have missed seeing so many of you! If you have not golfed yet don't worry we have 4 months left in our season! ;)

Win-It-Wednesday
Give us a follow on Facebook to stay up to date with The Wilderness! If you would like a chance to win FREE rounds of golf at one of your favorite golf courses check us out! Every two weeks we give away a round of golf for 4 people that includes GPS golf carts and unlimited range balls! This Wednesday, June 17th will be our next giveaway. Good luck!

PROGRESSIVE 9 - NEW!
Every Tuesday until the end August! 9 holes of golf with GPS golf cart. Per person rates. August $25 after 5pm.
- $40 at 4PM
- $32 at 3PM
- $25 at 6PM

LOCAL RESIDENT SPECIAL - NEW!
Every Monday until the end of September! 18 holes of golf with GPS golf cart. Must have a valid driver's license with a zip code between 55701-55816 to receive rate.
- $55 per person anytime of the day

See you soon!