April 28-May 4 is week to play golf in the area

For the second straight season the Minnesota Section of the PGA will host Play Golf Minnesota Week.

The event tees off April 28 and offers seven different promotions or events for the week.

Most lakes area courses should be open, but it illustrates a concern most northern courses have with an otherwise worthy idea - It's too early.

"Last year's turnout was OK, but it's a little early for us because most of the golfers aren't back in town yet," said Chris Foley, head PGA professional at Madden's Resort and owner of Chris Foley Golf School. "I would say overall it's pretty successful. We're doing some activities almost every day."

Play Golf Minnesota Week opens with "Minnesota College and University Day." Grand View Lodge's Pines and Preserve courses will offer 2-for-1 green fees, which turns out to be $25 per player for people wearing Minnesota college colors. The Legacy Courses at Cragun's will offer a 25-percent coupon for clothing in the Legacy Pro Shop.

April 29 is "Senior Day." The Pines and Preserve will offer 2-for-1 green fees for players 55 years or older.

Madden's Resort is hosting a free one-hour senior golf clinic at 10 a.m. Anyone signing up for Madden's men's league can play free at Pine Beach West. There will be 2-for-1 green fees for seniors on Pine Beach East.

Because of a prescheduled event, the Legacy is hosting a women's spring fling kickoff. After 5:30 p.m. green fees are $25 on the two championship courses. After 6:30 p.m. it's $10 on the Par 3 Course.

April 30 is "Women's Day." All women will receive 2-for-1 green fees at the Pines and Preserve. Madden's Resort will offer a free one-hour women's clinic at 5 p.m. Anyone signing up for Madden's women's league can play Pine Beach West for free. Madden's is also offering 2-for-1 green fees on the East Course.

The Legacy Courses will celebrate "Senior Day" on April 30 and will offer players 50 and older to play for $30 between 9 a.m. and noon on both championship courses.

"Free Lesson Day" is May 1. Madden's is offering free 15-minute individual/video lessons at 10 a.m. and again at 5 p.m.

Adding to the excitement of "Free Lesson Day," is that people who take a free lesson will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win two 2009 PGA Championship passes, which will be played Aug. 10-16, 2009, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska.

May 1 will also be "Women's Day" at the Legacy. Women playing after 1 p.m. on either the championship course ($20) or the Par 3 Course ($10) will receive a free glass of wine after their round.

May 2 is "Get Fit for Golf Day." The Legacy has changed it to "Spring Fever Day" and will offer 2-for-1 green fees on the Par 3 Course or play the championship courses and receive a 50-percent coupon off a future round.

May 3 is "Play Golf Minnesota Day." Grand View will offer free 10-minute lessons on the Pines driving range from 8 a.m. to noon and will have a closeout golf club sale. Madden's will offer a free short game clinic at 4 p.m., a free full swing clinic at 5 p.m. and $50 green fees at the Classic after 3 p.m.

Breezy Point Resort will offer a spring special at its Whitebirch and Traditional courses.

May 4 is "Family Day" and Madden's will offer a free family golf clinic at 3 p.m. Families can play Pine Beach East and West for $40 per tee time. Grand View will offer free golf at the Garden Course to anyone who brings a child 16 and under.

All clinics at Madden's will be taught by Foley and staff and will take place at Madden's driving range.

Hole in one

Don Sigety of Baxter recorded the area's first reported hole in one of the season - at Eagles Landing Golf Club. He aced the 135-yard 17th hole with a pitching wedge.

jeremy millsop, sports writer, may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5856.