2 days ago
This Big 10 school is putting its golf course up for sale at year's end
This Big 10 school is putting its golf course up for sale at year's end
The University of Minnesota's golf course, named after a coach who took the school's program to two conference titles, will close at this golf season's end and is expected to be sold, according to a release sent out by the university on Friday.
Les Bolstad Golf Course, located just a few miles to the northeast of the school's main campus, is expected to be put on the market as costs to maintain the facility have become too steep.
'We recognize this course holds generations of memories for our community. This decision reflects careful consideration and was made in light of today's challenging financial environment,' said Calvin Phillips, the university's vice president for student affairs, in a statement that was released Friday. 'As a public university, we have a responsibility to ensure that our land and resources are aligned with our core mission: supporting students, advancing research, and serving the state of Minnesota.'
According to a story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the school is not looking to sell the adjacent John W. Mooty Golf Facility and short game outdoor training area near the golf course, where the Gophers' men's and women's teams practice. The school hosts its Gopher Invitational at Windsong Farm Golf Club, which sits about 40 minutes west of the campus.
Here's more from the Star Tribune:
The 140-acre course on Larpenteur Avenue in Falcon Heights will remain open for the rest of the 2025 season, but will not reopen next spring, the statement said.
Phillips said the school notified the Board of Regents of its intended actions, and sent a letter to golfers announcing the news.
'We deeply appreciate your support of the golf course and the University of Minnesota,' Phillips wrote in the letter to golfers.
Named after Les Bolstad, who won two Big Ten golf championships and then coached the school's teams for 30 years, the course needs investment of nearly $10 million to tackle deferred maintenance and investment to keep the it viable, according to the course's website.
A sale price has yet to be determined. The U will obtain two appraisals to determine fair market value, the school said.
Falcon Heights, the Minneapolis suburb where the course lies, could potentially rezone the site for future use.
