The Classic at Madden’s Resort – Played September 2021
- Rankings: Golf Digest Public #67
- Location: 11672 Country Road 18 W, Brainerd, Minnesota
- Year: 1996
- Architect: Scott Hoffman
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Tour: 7,102 yards, Par 72, 75.0 Rating/144 Slope
- Black: 6,717 yards, Par 72, 73.2 Rating/140 Slope
- Blue: 6,438 yards, Par 72, 72.0 Rating/138 Slope
- White: 6,062 yards, Par 72, 71.0 Rating/136 Slope (Men’s), 76.3 Rating/141 Slope (Women’s)
- Gold: 5,438 yards, Par 72, 67.4 Rating/129 Slope (Men’s), 72.9 Rating/133 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 4,859 yards, Par 72, 69.6 Rating/126 Slope
The next day of this trip takes me to Brainerd and The Classic at Madden’s. The course is in the Gull Lake area, a popular tourist destination.
Madden’s is a family spot in more ways than one. The owners are the third generation to run the resort. Prior to 2019, the course’s architect was also the superintendent. That kind of continuity is not something you see every day.
As you can see by the entry sign below, the course has received plenty of recognition.
With rain in the forecast for my morning tee time, I decided to move the start to the afternoon. As a bonus, I got to watch the opening session of the Ryder Cup, happening not far away at Whistling Straits.
I was playing solo this round, but luckily I had a caddie who met me on the driving range. It was nice to have someone to talk to for the round. After rolling some putts on the slick practice green we headed to the first tee.
Hole 1 – 500 yards – Par 5
A wide fairway greets you to start the round. The hole bends left as it goes down and back uphill heading to a green that is bisected by a ridge on the right portion.
Hole 2 – 150 yards – Par 3
Long or wayward means trouble on this shorter hole. The wild grass comes very close to the green as it encircles it.
Hole 3 – 324 yards – Par 4
Positioning off the tee is crucial here. Good drives set you up with a clean look at the green surrounding by hazard. You could conceivably go for the green that sits out to the right, but the risk reward didn’t make sense to me.
Hole 4 – 386 yards – Par 4
You could argue that the trees play too much of a factor here. They force you to shape your tee shot to have a good look at the green for the approach. The hole bends left after the trees extending into the fairway.
Hole 5 – 371 yards – Par 4
Things open up more here on this downhill tee shot on a hole that curves left and traverses a hazard before getting to the green.
The green is a smaller target with some slope in the front.
Hole 6 – 525 yards – Par 5
For the third hole in a row the terrain bends to the left. Most golfers will play this as a three shot hole, especially with multiple bunkers guarding the front of the green. If you like your sand game, give it a go.
Hole 7 – 182 yards – Par 3
With a longer distance to the green, a tamer putting surface makes sense. If you hit the green, a two putt should be quite attainable.
Here’s a closer look.
Hole 8 – 405 yards – Par 4
A fade off the tee fits the shape of this fairway. Avoid the left bunkers at all costs.
A good drive makes the hole a lot easier as you can tell from the photo below.
Hole 9 – 403 yards – Par 4
This is another tough hole to finish out the front side. Once you’re over the hill the fairway cants to the right so you have to be careful with your tee shot to stay on the short grass.
Hole 10 – 466 yards – Par 5
Tight fairways provide the defense here in the absence of prodigious length. The tee shot is fairly open, but you begin to get squeezed shortly after that.
If you decide to try for the green in two beware of a small pond that guards the front right portion.
Hole 11 – 322 yards – Par 4
This is the signature hole at the Classic at Madden’s. For me, playing the hole meant a sensible shot of about 200 yards to set up a wedge shot approach.
The bunkering behind the green is a bit unique with five traps built into the hillside. The framing of the green sets this hole apart.
Hole 12 – 187 yards – Par 3
You don’t want to be above the hole on the slick greens here. The green features plenty of slope. The pin position matters greatly on this large green.
Hole 13 – 591 yards – Par 5
My caddie told me the nickname for this hole is The Beast. I can certainly see why as it stretches over 600 yards from the tips. The hole is mostly straight needing solid shots to get home in three.
Hole 14 – 190 yards – Par 3
There’s no let up with this par three following The Beast. It’s hard to see the flag in the photo but it past the bunkers. Really difficult hole here.
Hole 15 – 380 yards – Par 4
This dogleg left really fit my eye. Getting your drive into the left side of the fairway provides the best angle into the green. If you stray too far right, trees can affect your approach.
Hole 16 – 489 yards – Par 5
I was advised to hit my drive up the right side to shorten this hole. It was a bit overdone, but I got lucky by hitting the cart path and rolling out to 160 yards from the green. The more traditional route has to factor in the pinched fairway and bunkers.
A hazard guards the front of the green but should only get you if you hit a poor shot.
Hole 17 – 146 yards – Par 3
Whatever you do, do not go long on your tee shot. The green is shallow and quite sloped. A simple shot to the middle and a par is well earned.
Hole 18 – 421 yards – Par 4
The final hole is a brute. As an added bonus it was playing straight into a stiff wind. On a calmer, warmer day I imagine the approach is much easier.
The bunkers are not as close to the green as they appear to be. It’s a nice visual trick to test you.
The Classic at Madden’s was in great shape even after a morning of rain. Walking around the course with my caddie was an enjoyable way to spend a cool afternoon. Interesting holes and plenty of challenges are not things you associate with most resort courses. I was happily surprised with my round at the Classic.