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Meadowlark Country Club is located on the southern edge of the city limits of Melrose, Minnesota. Melrose is the childhood home of my wife, and I have played at Meadowlark Country Club many times over the years. In this article, I am going to cover not only the layout of the course, but the unique sense of family that make up this and many other member owned, municipal or mom and pop operated 9-hole golf courses in Minnesota.

On the day in early May that I played Meadowlark Country Club most recently, my wife and I had made the trip for her to attend a family baby shower. I thought it would be nice to mix in some golf with my father-in-law one of my brothers-in-law and a couple of nephews. You know that you are either part of a large family or in a small town and maybe perhaps both when you arrive at the golf course with that many family members and you also discover upon check in at the Pro-shop that one of your nieces is working behind the counter that afternoon.

Melrose is similar to many small towns in Minnesota. The idyllic setting written about by Garrison Keillor in his series of books about fictional Lake Wobegon as well as the News from Lake Wobegon reported on his radio show A Prairie Home Companion. This is the type of place Keillor reminds us that this is where "the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average." Evidence was a sign on the first tee box requesting all groups to limit themselves to 5 players or less. I will also mention that even playing with a 5-some we completed 18-holes in 4 hours. Slow play should not be expected if you police yourself and play "ready-golf".

Melrose is about the midway point between St. Cloud and Alexandria on Interstate 94. This makes a great place to stop and take a break when traveling from the Twin Cities to parts farther north and west. And a 9-hole round of two hours or less can be a refreshing break to a long car trip.

Meadowlark Country Club plays to a par of 72 for 18-holes and measures 6,278 yards for the middle tees. There are no dramatic elevation changes but there are water hazards or sand traps that come into play on every hole. If the wind is blowing across the prairie from the west or northwest the course plays completely different and you definitely need to be absolutely sure of your club selection.

To play Meadowlark Country Club, call 320-256-4989 and ask the Pro-shop attendant on duty if you need a tee time that day. Many times in the middle of the week you can walk right on and virtually have the golf course to yourself. This is a great stop to break up a roadtrip to Alexandria or parts farther north or west!

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