Somerby Golf Club

Yes, I realize this is a a blog about Arizona golf,but I have had the opportunity to play at Somerby Golf Club in Byron, Minnesotaover the past couple weeks so I decided to give it a review.

Course: Somerby Golf Club

Location: Byron, Minnesota (5 miles outside Rochester, Minnes0ta)

Course: Private, 18 holes

Designer: Tom Lehman, John Fought

Website: www.somerby.com

Tees: 5 sets from 5739 yards to 7209 yards

Practice Facility: Full driving range and three practice greens, all included with the golf.

Review:

The course is not your typical Minnesota country club. It is a a wide open surrounded by well-groomed fescue that often does not come into play. As Esteban Toledo from the Nationwide Tour once said, "This is a bomber's paradise" and "You could land a 747 on most of these fairways." There are 70+ sand bunkers on the course that both line the fairways and surround the greens. There is also a winding water hazard that can be problem on 12 of the holes.

Positives:

The course is very well maintained. For late in the day, the greens were smooth, quick, and true. It has a nice variety of holes highlighted by a stretch from 14-18 in the back side that contains holes that require both accuracy and length. The course is easily walkable with short distances between tees with the exception of 9 and 10. As a Lehman designed course, the track seems to favor a left to right ball flight, but players of all skills levels can enjoy the course. The pro shop was well stocked with reasonably priced merchandise and clubs. The teeing areas and fairways are both comprised of bent grass which provides a superior playing surface.

Negatives:

There are a few things the course could improve. First, there was excess sand near the lips of the bunkers which allowed for plug lies to occur. In just 18 holes, I had 3 bad "fried eggs" from the soft sand near the lips of the bunker. The fairways looked as if they were dying off and were brown in many spots, although I was able to take full divots on every shot. The Pro Shop closed early (7 p.m.) which did not allow for any shopping after our early afternoon round. Although a member of my grounp had a yardage book that I used, the Pro Shop sold the books for $10, which was overpriced for the information that was provided.

Favorite Hole: #18, par 5, 590 yards

This a truly great finishing hole. Fairway bunkers protect the right hand side of the fairway off the tee. With a solid drive, a player has a chance to reach the two-tiered green in two. A successful layup will require an accurate third to this deep and tedious green. The beautiful clubhouse shadows the 18th green and reminds you of how lucky you are to have played this course.

Recommended For: Somerby is an enjoyable experience for all levels of golfers. It is a good challenge from the tips, but there are many holes which a good score can be made. For the beginner golfer, the course may be frustrating because of the quick greens and the sometimes unforgiving bounces.

Overall: Highly recommended. If you get the chance to play this course in the Rochester area, take advantage of it.

Tell me, what do you think of Somerby Golf Club?