Mahtowa golf course has 'rugged' new owners

Jim and Colleen Myhre have purchased the 29 Pines Golf Course in Mahtowa, closing on Sept. 4, and have renamed it Rugged Spruce Golf Club.

"We had planned to keep the original course name," Jim Myhre said. "Outside experts" advised that it would be a good idea to change the 40-year-old name to better signify a fresh start.

Roxanne Olson was the previous owner of the course.

Jim grew up about two miles from the course. He thinks he first played there in about 1980. He played in a league there this past season. When the announcement came in May that 29 Pines was for sale and could potentially close (in part due to pandemic), Jim's colleagues persuaded him to consider buying it. He was close to retirement, had pondered the next chapter in his life, and Colleen had told him she envisioned both of them working on a golf course.

With the course officially closing July 1, the timeline for the Myhres sped up. Keeping a golf course closed and not maintained can be detrimental to the future health of the grass.

They had two choices, with the comparable nine-hole Big Lake golf course also for sale. Once the couple turned to 29 Pines, they began mowing. Rugged Spruce is now open and ready for play.

The Myhres said the encouragement and assistance they have received from friends, relatives, and other acquaintances has been astounding.

"I'd be remiss, and I'm probably forgetting some, if I didn't tell you how helpful other golf course professionals have been too," Jim said. "There is a lot of camaraderie with this group."

The list includes Jim Barry at Pine Hill Golf Club, Josh Gamst at Moose Lake, Chris Maddy at Grandview/Proctor, Jud Crist at Cloquet, and Norma O'Leary at Silver Bay. Course neighbor Brian Olson has been devoting a lot of time and equipment as well.

"People want us to succeed and keep this course and community meeting place open. It's been very gratifying," Colleen said.

The learning curve has been steep. The Myhres had to get updated and skilled at course requirements like thatch removal and aeration of the greens, food and beverage licensing and distribution, water pumps, course equipment operation and maintenance, irrigation systems, fungicide, internet installation, online tee time scheduling, memberships, financial reporting, year-end and 2021 events.

With Pine Hill Golf Club just down Highway 61, the name "29 Pines" confused some local and visiting players. The couple wanted a distinguishing name without "Pine." There actually are more spruce trees than pines on the course. They are "kind of rugged trees like us," Jim said. "We are a hardworking bunch here and want to have fun but realize we aren't going to have perfection on this course. 'Rugged' is a good term we are all proud of."

The Rugged Spruce Golf Clubhouse plans to be open year-round. It will accept guests on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the winter season. Colleen is a talented musician, and depending on state pandemic restrictions, the plan is to occasionally have small musical group entertainment.

The course is on a state snowmobile trail and the couple intends to welcome thirsty riders with a warm pit stop.

The kitchen is in great shape, Jim said, and a menu is developing.

There is a new TV and small sports viewing parties are planned, especially with the Masters golf tournament scheduled for Nov. 12-15.

Another goal is to put in a fire pit on a patio to accommodate outside guests.

"It's been a weird year, no doubt - but we'll never forget it," Jim said. "Thanks to all who have had a hand in it."