Play Golf Minnesota Week Begins Around the State

Royal wedding? Oh, sure, that’s a big deal for some, but here in Minnesota, we’re talking about the golf opener, right? More than 150 golf courses around the state of Minnesota are ready to go to usher in the 2011 golf season as part of Play Golf Minnesota Week – The Official Minnesota Golf Opener!

Mostly sunny skies are the rule across the state today, which, after a brutal stretch of rain and cold this week, the bright skies and warmer temps are welcomed. Get out and enjoy the day, find a course near you and tee it up for day one of Play Golf Minnesota Week!

Governor Mark Dayton Signs Minnesota Golf Opener Proclamation

Governor Mark Dayton penned a proclamation making April 29 – May 8 the Minnesota Golf Opener. This of course marks the celebration that we know as Play Golf Minnesota Week. If you’d like to see a copy of the proclamation, here it is Minnesota Golf Opener Proclamation.

Play Golf Minnesota Week Welcomes Spring in Minnesota

Well, Minnesota golfers, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that early spring has made its return to our wonderful state. The good news is, spring is forecasted to return in time for the opener of Play Golf Minnesota Week – which is this Friday, April 29.

If you haven’t spent time checking out the courses on our website, you should. We have more than 150 locations participating this year which means, more options for you to find outstanding golf deals. Get the clubs out, ditch the winter stuff and get your game on!!

Play Golf Minnesota Week April 29 – May 8

Yes, there’s snow on the ground, but for those close to the business of golf, we are getting ready for the official Minnesota Golf Opener! With that, we are pleased to announce the dates of Play Golf Minnesota Week 2011. The festivities are scheduled to begin on April 29 and run through Sunday, May 8. So, if you’re new to the game, been away from the game and are coming back, or if you’re like the rest of us and can hardly wait to bust out the clubs and hit the links again, come out and enjoy some great offers during Play Golf Minnesota Week. See you on the course!

Play Golf Minnesota Week: Charity Day Keeps Funds in Your Communities

Friday is Charity Day during Play Golf Minnesota Week and though it’s a change in days from the previous three years, the objective is the same – to raise money for local charities. This is also the first year which we asked participating clubs to find a local charity to give to on this day and hopefully, when it’s all said and done it will prove successful. Here are some of the participants and the charities to which they’re giving:

• Elk River Golf Club:  donating $2 per round to their local food shelf
• Fox Hollow Golf Club: Food Shelf Friday – $2 per round to their local food shelf
• Rush Creek Golf Club:  Closest to the Pin contest with proceeds going to Special Olympics of Minnesota
• StoneRidge Golf Club: $5 entry fee into a drawing for lessons with proceeds going to Special Olympics of Minnesota
• Afton Alps Golf Club: Charity Day

Earlier this week Blueberry Pines Golf Club in Menahga held a closest to the pin contest with proceeds going to Special Olympics of Minnesota as well.

If you see a trend here with Special Olympics of Minnesota, the Minnesota Section PGA and Special Olympics of Minnesota began a wonderful partnership around the Minnesota State Open a few years ago and that relationship has grown in time. In addition to its work on Charity Day this year, Rush Creek has also partnered with Special Olympics of Minnesota to hold two “Swing Fore It” golf clinics. Golfers will learn etiquette, rules of the game, how to chip, putt and make a full swing. The first series wrapped up tonight, May 6, but if you missed it you’ll have a chance to make the fall series on September 19, 17, 23 and 30.

The forecast around the Twin Cities calls for rain tomorrow, but if you get rained out and find yourself near one of the courses participating on Charity Day, stop by and make a donation. Your funds are supporting people in your community and your state. Thanks for playing!

Celebrating Women’s Golf on Women’s Day

Women’s Day during Play Golf Minnesota Week provides women of all skill levels an opportunity to get out and enjoy all that golf has to offer as well as some great deals. We have been fortunate to have wonderfully talented women leaders in the Minnesota Section – from past president and instructor Kathy Swanson to Teacher of the Year, Dee Forsberg to Growth of the Game committee chair, Lori Money. Some of the state’s top amateur women like Claudia Pilot, Leigh Klasse and Alissa (Herron) Super, have proved to be fantastic role models, not just for junior girl golfers, but for all golfers across the state. Enjoy Women’s Day, ladies! You deserve it.

Here’s Minnesota Section PGA Teacher of the Year Dee Forsberg:

Play Golf Minnesota Week: Free Lesson Day

If you’re looking for a golf lesson today is the day! Check the list of courses participating in Play Golf Minnesota Week and stop by after work for a free golf lesson. If you can’t make it by the course, here’s Minnesota PGA Professional, Chris Foley with a tip you can play over and over again!

Junior Girls Golf Clinic Highlights First Weekend Of PGMW

More than 240 junior girls descended upon Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove today to sharpen their game and work on the fundamentals of golf. Hosted by the Minnesota Section PGA and the Minnesota Women’s Golf Association, this event has become an annual rite of spring in the northwest Twin Cities metro. The golfers range in age from 7 years old through high school. Throughout the course of the morning the young women learn everything from rules to golf etiquette to introductory swing tips. A number of area high school girls golf teams attend the event annually as a way to reinforce the basic skills they are learning on their home course.

Here are some sights and sounds from the event.

First Shot of the Season? See It and Believe It.

One of the most nerve racking course moments for many golfers is that first shot of the season. Like the game itself, that first shot is all about visualization and seeing the shot in your mind. Brad Pluth of Halla Greens in Chanhassen has a great tip for you before you head to the first tee.

Play Golf Minnesota Week Opens at Les Bolstad with Gopher Golfers and More!

The 2010 Minnesota golf season officially teed off Friday at Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul with the men’s and women’s Gopher golf teams and captains from the Wayzata High School boys golf team. The golfers hit the ceremonial first shot of the season as members of the Minnesota Section PGA and Minnesota Golf Association looked on. Here’s a peak at the opening shot of the season. Play Golf Minnesota Week runs through May 9th.