(Editor’s Note: The Pipestone Country Star will be running an eight-part series on local golf courses to promote the game from this issue through Aug. 21.)
LUVERNE — Jerilyn Britz began playing golf when she was a teenager at Luverne Country Club.
The golf course recognizes Britz on signage throughout the facility, and she was the first women ever inducted into the Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame.
Luverne Country Club has one of the most picturesque closing holes in southwest Minnesota. Hole No. 9 measures anywhere from 287 yards (red tees) to 354 yards (black tees). (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“LCC is the prettiest little nine-hole golf course I have ever played,” Britz said in a statement found on the country club’s website. “If someone is a golfer in southern Minnesota and is looking for a place to play, LCC is definitely worth experiencing.”
Jerilyn Britz returns to Brooklawn Country Club to play in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open this week. Britz won the 1979 U.S. Women’s Open held at Brooklawn C.C. in Fairfield, Conn. (Contributed photo)
Britz shot even par to win the 1979 U.S. Women’s Open, beating Debbie Massey and Sandra Palmer by two strokes at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn. She also won the 1980 Mary Kay Classic over some famous player named Nancy Lopez — not bad for a lady who didn’t make her LPGA Tour debut until she was 31 years young.
After seeing this facility firsthand, the sports editor whole-heartedly agrees with Britz, who also starred for then Mankato State College and the University of New Mexico.
Jerilyn Britz’s name is prominently featured at Luverne Country Club. (Contributed photo)
The Luverne Country Club measures 2,522 yards per nine holes from the red ladies tees. There also are several other color-coded tee boxes: gold/red, gold, blue/gold, blue and black — the longest test is at 3,339 yards per nine.
Holes Nos. 1, 4 and 9 feature an out of bounds area marked by white stakes while lateral water hazards are defined by red painted lines.
The course features a modest putting green, but also a full-length driving range with practice bunker — like GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness Club in Worthington. Range balls may be rented for $5 per bag.
The practice green is plenty large enough to accommodate several putters at once. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
LCC serves as the site for regular season Big South Conference tournaments, and several Cardinals earned all-league accolades in Will Bergman, Mallachi Domagala, Macie Edstrom and Ingrid Mostad.
More hole-by-hole descriptions may be found in the information section accompanying this story.
Several golfers took advantage of ideal weather conditions to play Luverne Country Club on Thursday, July 17. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Rate structure and more
The cost of a single round is as follows: $20 for nine holes Monday-Thursday and $30 for 18 for non-members.
On Fridays-Sundays and holidays, the cost is $25 for nine and $35 for 18. The cart rental fee is $15 for nine holes and $20 for 18. A cheaper pull cart option is available.
Family memberships are $1,350 (early bird rate), $1,550 from March 1 and after. Payment plans are available. Single memberships are $950 early, then $1,150. Student memberships ranger from $75 to $400 per year.
There also is a small event center with a $200 rental fee.
Additional options are offered including a driving range membership, clothing locker option and cart fees and storage. New carts were purchased a handful of years ago, complete with a USB charging port.
Luverne Country Club officials report golf carts were purchased a handful of years ago, equipped with the latest technology. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
There are several men’s leagues scheduled for Wednesdays and Thursdays. A large contingent of women participate in Tuesday’s ladies league, which also features a five-member board. Couples golf is offered sparingly. Dues must be paid in leagues.
Club tournaments and a fall scramble are scheduled in August, with the final day of men’s league slated for Thursday, Sept. 25. There was a patriotic-themed women’s tournament on July 1.
There isn’t a full-service restaurant; however, the course offers fried food, pizza and quesadillas. There is ample seating outside for socializing after one’s round. What’s more, there are plenty of adult beverage selections. And both Coke and Pepsi products are served.
Luverne Country Club may not offer a full-service restaurant, but there’s still plenty of bar food available. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Benjamin Nath is the clubhouse manager, with Greg Stratton grounds supervisor. Lee Sells is the board president, with Chris Bolt, Tammy Sandbulte and Andrew DeBoer in leadership positions. Mary Jo Graphenteen, Mike Smith, Brad Van Santen, Craig Nekali and Jeff Sehr are directors.
For information and to book tee times, call 1-507-283-4383 or email luvernegolf@gmail.com.
GOLF
Luverne Country Club
Hole by hole
(From regulation tee boxes)
Hole No. 1: 404 yards, par 4; be as straight as possible on this tree-lined hole that features an elevated green
Hole No. 2: 496 yards, par 5; green slopes from left to right, and watch for the bunker
Hole No. 3: 172 yards, par 3; features a large pond and a long green, so it’s not a gimme
Hole No. 4: 434 yards, par 4; the toughest hole on the course with a fairway bunker and a sharp dogleg
Hole No. 5: 424 yards, par 4; long drivers may attempt to fire over the trees
Hole No. 6: 333 yards, par 4; sharply sloping green makes putting a challenge
Hole No. 7: 175 yards, par 3; large mounds provide a challenge while chipping
Hole No. 8: 547 yards, par 5; break out the driver for this course’s longest hole, large bunkers left and right also are treacherous
Hole No. 9: 354 yards, par 4; the closer has slightly left dogleg, a pitching wedge or nine-iron can be used for a second shot
Black tees: 6,678 yards per 18 holes
Blue tees: 6,426 yards per 18
Gold tees: 5,796 yards per 18
Red tees: 5,044 yards per 18
