manitou ridge
Playing a new golf course for the first time, it’s such an awkward, yet exciting feeling. I don’t know what to expect!
Will I like the course? Will the course like me? What will my friends think of the course? Am I trying too hard to impress the course? Or should I act like I’m not impressed by the course and then the course will like me even more? How much should I drink at this course? I don’t want to get all sloppy for my first impression. And are people at the course going to be able to tell that we are meeting for the first time and then talk about us behind our backs?
For the second time in the one-summer tenure of the Golf Loons, I played a course for the first time. The first occasion was Minnesota National, and I had a passionate love affair with that course. I decided that at this point in my life, I can’t do the long distance thing.
Minnesota National was kind of like a blind date, or maybe even a Tinder date? I’m not even sure if Tinder still gets used anymore, but it was something I looked up online and liked what I saw so I did the equivalent of swiping right and booked a tee time through one of 8000 golf registration apps that I now have usernames and passwords for.
Manitou Ridge in White Bear Lake was more of a setup/double date, because of the close relationship it has with our special guest, John King. And to make the round even more of a pressure cooker, he brought along his wife, Stacy. So I was anticipating John and Stacy constantly whispering when Manitou wasn’t looking, “What do you think? Great, right? You guys were made for each other!”
That didn’t actually happen. But John and Stacy do play Manitou together all of the time, and you could tell they were really excited to play matchmaker for this one.
I’m still not looking for anything serious, but I was willing to give Manitou a try. Who knows? Maybe sparks would fly?
Turns out, Manitou was super cool. Very chill and relaxed. Not pretentious or high maintenance. Total long-term relationship material if that’s what you’re looking for, especially if you take up residence in the adopted home of the Fargo prostitute. I was even willing to overlook Manitou’s wild past, and some of the ???? you might expect from a young course. But that was before I knew Manitou so I can’t hold those indiscretions against it.
Manitou Ridge in its wilder just out of college years. We’re not here to judge.
Unfortunately, the demands of the Golf Loons podcast schedule require a nomad lifestyle and I’m just not able to commit to one course.
But John King is at a different point in his life - successful entrepreneur, media personality, creative genius and empty nester - and he was able to settle down and even took the big leap of getting a standing tee time on Wednesdays at Manitou this summer. That is basically Facebook official.
I don’t blame him. Manitou is the perfect course for a standing tee time, especially for someone like me who struggles to keep the tee ball in play. It is very forgiving and wide open (still managed to lose two balls). It’s got a solid mix of holes, including several drivable par 4’s. But that doesn’t make it easy. And holes 10 and 14 are two “big boy” holes as Twig likes to call them. John would just say, “this hole fucking sucks!” before we all set up for our tee shots.
Even those in long term, loving relationships can find problems with their loved ones.
I just loved the vibe of Manitou. It shoves White Bear Lake right in your face, and I mean that in the best way possible. Tons of orange and black all over the place. So much, that it almost made it seem like the dozens of Monarch butterflies outside the clubhouse were planted there.
The course logo is so White Bear Lake, it’s crazy. It might be my all time favorite golf course logo. For sure for the courses I’ve played this year. My only regret is not buying a black winter toque with the logo on it before I left.
That logo is just phenomenal and shoves White Bear Lake right into your face. 10 out of 10!
Twig and I were probably the only two people at the course that day that the bartender in the clubhouse didn’t know our names or what we like to order.
Even the ladies tees are orange instead of red. I love touches like that.
Side note: shout out to Stacy King (not the former Knicks center) for being the first female to play in a Golf Loons round.
Also love that Stacy picked up the game about two years ago, is now really good, and this is something that her and John do regularly. That right there is relationship goals.
In addition to his wife, John also loves this course, and it was so fun to hear him talk about it in ways that only he can. Among many other things, you can witness John’s humor that is on display during his All Hockey Hair team videos that come along every year with the Minnesota State High School Boys Hockey Tournament. The dry wit and hilarity you see there, and on his many other media ventures like the Wild on 7th podcast or the Sunday Morning Coming Down podcast, were on display at Manitou.
He calls Manitou Ridge the “Green Pill” because it will cure what ails your game by not penalizing you for hitting bad shots. He’s got a name for holes 7 through 9, known simply as “The Joy Zone.” I think that’s because he likes the way those holes are laid out, but he does play with his wife often so it could be called that for an entirely different reason. I didn’t want to pry.
He even got his car detailed with orange and yellow striping “to see how many speeding tickets” he can pile up.
Edina is in his heart, but John King has gone full-fledged White Bear Lake…and it is awesome!
You’re not going to spend a few minutes with John King and keep the laughter in. You can imagine how many laughs were had during a four hour round. Loved playing with a guy who was so proud of his course, and lives life to the fullest. That is what golf is about. And that’s what we hope the Golf Loons podcast is all about. Playing a new course with someone who has a special bond with it. The whole day was a Joy Zone.
I would definitely play Manitou again. I’m not ready for a serious long-term commitment. But definitely would hook up there again for a good time with the Kings.
