Golf course set for a conversion

Pine Hill Golf Course on Highway 61 in Carlton will have a new owner soon, and there are some big changes in store for the popular nine-hole golf course.

Jim and Cassie Barry have owned and operated the golf course since 2005, and listed the golf course for sale three years ago. Tom Kraemer Inc. of Moose Lake contacted them a day after it went on the market. TKI, formerly StorMor, is presently located just off Minnesota Highway 27 and Old Highway 61. The company offers large, portable storage containers for rent and sale.

Acreage holding two golf holes will be used for large container storage, visible from Interstate 35.

"They will be preparing the current holes 2 and 3 for the large container storage," Jim Barry said. "It's great for them, they'll have immediate exposure, close to Duluth, and easy access to the Interstate."

Barry said TKI plans to keep the other seven holes at Pine Hill operable and maintained, but golf course design and plans are uncertain. They've offered Barry a consultant's role next spring to help with all of the maintenance requirements when potentially re-opening the course.

"Everything goes, all the equipment, buildings, inventory, everything," Barry said. "TKI plans to use the clubhouse and maybe our home until office space is refurbished."

The sale closing date is not firm, but the Barrys will likely be off the property and the golf course closed by early October. They said they are looking forward to retirement with winters in Arizona, but will remain Minnesota residents.

"Ever since we moved to Carlton County, we've appreciated living here. The people are amazing. We're going to miss all of our interactions with the golfers." Jim Barry said. "It was long, strenuous days at times. ... I remember working on equipment at 2 and 3 in the morning, but it was a job I loved, and it didn't seem to be work to me."

Jim Barry also plans to work part-time in 2024 at the Grandview Golf Links and restaurant on nearby Midway Road. The Barrys bought Pine Hill from Grandview course manager Chris Klatte, who built the unique Pine View clubhouse and bar around 2000. Klatte recently bought the adjacent Grandview restaurant, formerly the Dry Dock. Barry said he'll help out on the Grandview course where needed and maybe even fill in at the restaurant.

Pine Hill's future remains unclear. Will the course be open to the public? Will leagues continue? Where will the fundraiser Harold's Fiasco be held? Will the seniors show up on Monday mornings for coffee and conversation and then draw cards to determine their scramble teammates?

Pine Hill served a golf niche. More to come.