The Wilderness at Fortune Bay — Tower, MN

Posted on September 8, 2016December 26, 2021

Rating:*

Layout: 9
Conditions: 9
Staff: 9
Value: 10

TCS™: 9.25

— Not counted in TCS™, but just as important (imo):

Pace of Play: PAINFULLY slow (go figure, it’s a resort)

*All ratings are out of 10 possible points.

Commentary:

Coming from the desert, I really enjoyed the lush green design cut into the thick woods. It’s thick to the point that you don’t go after an errant shot. Poison ivy is everywhere in the undergrowth. The design has a lot of variety, some great risk/reward, and is all around top notch. Conditions were a bit soggy (can’t be blaimed for the rain), but very well maintained. All of the staff I interacted with were very nice. At $60 for 18 with a cart, for this caliber of golf, value is a solid 10. Go play this one if you are ever in BFE Minnesota!

My scorecard for the round: LINK

10 – Simply amazing, go play this a.s.a.p.! Are you on your way?!

9 – One of the best, just not spot on "perfect" in every way. Play It!

8 – One of the best courses in the area; well worth the trip to play.

7 – Worth a round if you are within a reasonable distance. Good conditions and interesting layout.

6 – An above average course that is worth your time if you're close by. Should provide a nice round.

5 – An average course. Decent layout, decent conditions, and the value hits the sweet spot. The one to play after work for a quick round. However, it lacks an overall wow factor.

4 – Below average, but moderately interesting in places.

3 – A poor course. Conditions are pretty bad but the cost of a round usually outweighs the conditions. Play with your friends who are too cheap to pay for a better round of golf.

2 – Bad, but playable. Play it when you need some practice before spending $$$ on a "better" course.

1 – A very bad course, but often has a deal you can't pass up (e.g., I have played a few like this; got 18 and a cart for only $5, yeah, I'd play about anything for that too).

0 – The only way I'd "play" this course if it was in my backyard and it was free. I mean who turns down a free "driving range" which is all that this "course" is good for, not for golf but to hit balls at and forget about.