I am looking forward to a fabulous Labor Day Weekend! The current forecast is for beautiful room temperature golf. Make your plans early to play Blueberry Pines Golf Course this weekend with your friends and family. Call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-GOLF (4653) to book your tee time today! Plus check us out on the internet at

     2011 will be Blueberry Pines Golf Club’s 20^th Anniversary Season. We begin the celebration today with some fabulous 2011 Membership offers. New Members may purchase their Membership now for 2011 and play the balance of this season for FREE! Current Members may purchase their Membership now for 2011 and receive a FREE Cart Lease for the balance of this season. Plus current Members who have a Cart Lease may purchase their Membership now for 2011 plus Receive Ten $10 Off Dining Coupons to be used either this season or next season. Plus, receive all these benefits at the 2010 prices, plus, plus, receive your early payment benefits of either 10% Off or 3 free passes, valid for either full Single or Couple Memberships. Help us to begin the Celebration of our 20^th Anniversary by taking advantage of these GREAT offers! Become a Member of a Fabulous Golf Facility and Golf Course! Remember Golf is the Game of a Lifetime! Begin your game today! Please call the golf shop at (218)-564-GOLF (4653) for more information on these offers, or to customize an offer to fit your Membership type.

     Blueberry Pines hosted a Rally for the Cure event this past Thursday, August 26^th. The event was a closest to the pin event throughout the day on the 17^th hole. Players received prizes for participation, for hitting the green and for the closest to the pin. Winning a very nice Golf Bag for the closest to the pin was Bev Hepokoski. Congratulations Bev, a just winner, as she has been solely involved with the orchestration of this event for the past several years.

Blueberry Pines would like to thank Neil Wogsland for hosting the "Geritol Open" this past week at Blueberry Pines Golf Club. Congratulations go out to Captain Jack Bloomquist for leading his local Menahga team to a win. Check out the full story in this week’s Review Messenger.

     We hope to see all Blueberry Pines Members participating in this year’s Blueberry Pines Club Championships, which will be held Sat. & Sun. Sept 11^th & 12^th. Tee times on Saturday will start at approximately 10:00 a.m. This event is closed to members only. The entry fee is $30.00 per player which includes a meal on Sunday at 3:00. We will also be having our annual men’s and ladies shootouts Friday Night, Sept. 10^th preceding the Club Championship starting at 4:45 p.m sharp. Remember the shootouts are limited to the first 10 women and first 20 men. Please sign up by Noon Friday for both the Shootout and the Club Championship by calling the Golf Shop at (218)-564-4653.

     Then, our next upcoming event on Saturday, Sept. 18^th is our Annual Blueberry Pines Couples Tournament. The format is to play a 9-Hole Scramble and a 9-Hole Best Ball flighting players by the low players handicap and the team’s total handicap. This has traditionally been a great event. The entry fee of $55.00 per player for Non-Members includes your golf, cart, prizes and a meal following play. Grab your favorite guy or gal and sign up today at (218)-564-GOLF for the 10:00 shotgun start.

     Also upcoming on Sunday, Sept. 19^th we will be hosting the 7^th Annual Midway Snurdbird 4-Person Scramble benefitting the Midway Amateur Baseball team. A 12:00 shotgun start is planned. This is a fun event supporting a great cause, plus a chance to win some cool baseball memorabilia. For more information on participating or contributing to this event call George Baso at (218)-564-4878 or (218)-639-1267 or call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-GOLF. Put your team together today!

     Wednesday, Aug. 25^th Men’s Night event was Individual Low Gross and Low Net. 1^st Place Low Gross went to Brady Anderson carding an even par score of 36. 2^nd Place Low Gross went to Doug Sorenson firing a score of 39. 1^st Place Low Net went to Terry Ristinen blistering the course with a 6-under par net 30. 2^nd Place Low Net went to golf prodigy Austin Pulju shooting a net score of 33. Doug Sorenson continues to build on his commanding lead on the Men’s Night Money Leader list. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Tim Pederson, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Ron Litzau and the longest putt on hole #18 was made by Terry Ristinen. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 2-Man Modified Scotch Ball event and next week’s event will be Low Putts plus Low Gross and Low Net. Everyone is always invited to participate in our Men’s Night events here at Blueberry Pines at 5:30, please just simply sign up by 3:00 pm the day of the event.

     Thursday, Aug. 26^th Ladies Night event was a 2-Lady Low Net Total event. 1^st Place went to the team of Renee Brauer and Suzanne Steele firing the low net total score of 68. 2^nd Place went to the Birthday Girl "Carol Frisby" and Joan Redalen carding a Low Net total score of 70. 3^rd Place went to the team of Karen Weappa and Mary Williams scoring an even par total of 72. 4^th Place went to Connie Hammer and Shelly Miller shooting a combined net total of 73. Amy Andersen holds a slight lead on the Ladies Night Money Leader list. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Shelly Miller, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Bev Hepokoski and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Connie Bennett. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a 2-Lady Modified Scotch Ball event and next week’s event will be Low Putts plus Low Gross and Low Net. Remember, all players are invited to join our great group of Ladies every Thursday Night at 5:30. Just call to sign up by 3 pm the day of the event!

     Tip of the Week: Play Competitive Golf.

     Improve your game by playing in some competitive events. Your weaknesses and your strengths will both shine through. Putting a little pressure on oneself is a great way to measure how well your game really stacks up. Participate and compete, it will improve your game.. If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, or Brady Anderson and Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 8-24-10

     Labor Day Weekend is nearly upon us, wow has summer seemed to fly by. As fall approaches I believe Blueberry Pines increasingly becomes the premier golf course to play. The golf course here at Blueberry Pines continues to be in spectacular shape. If you listen carefully, the golf course may be calling your name, to come play! If you do not hear anything, I am inviting you to join us at Blueberry Pines soon! Call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-GOLF (4653) to book your tee time today! Plus check us out on the internet at

     Our Johnny Cash event this past Friday, August 20, definitely lived up to its billing. Philip Bauer’s performance as "The Man in Black" Johnny Cash was outstanding!

     We hope to see all Blueberry Pines Members participating in this year’s Blueberry Pines Club Championships, which will be held Sat. & Sun. Sept 11^th & 12^th. Tee times on Saturday will start at approximately 10:00 a.m. This event is closed to members only. The entry fee is $30.00 per player which includes a meal on Sunday at 3:00. We will also be having our annual men’s and ladies shootouts Friday Night, Sept. 10^th preceding the Club Championship starting at 4:45 p.m sharp. Remember the shootouts are limited to the first 10 women and first 20 men. Please sign up by Noon Friday for both the Shootout and the Club Championship by calling the Golf Shop at (218)-564-4653.

     Then, our next upcoming event on Saturday, Sept. 18^th is our Annual Blueberry Pines Couples Tournament. The format is to play a 9-Hole Scramble and a 9-Hole Best Ball flighting players by the low players handicap and the team’s total handicap. This has traditionally been a great event. The entry fee of $55.00 per player for Non-Members includes your golf, cart, prizes and a meal following play. Grab your favorite guy or gal and sign up today at (218)-564-GOLF for the 10:00 shotgun start.

     Also upcoming on Sunday, Sept. 19^th we will be hosting the 7^th Annual Midway Snurdbird 4-Person Scramble benefitting the Midway Amateur Baseball team. A 12:00 shotgun start is planned. This is a fun event supporting a great cause, plus a chance to win some cool baseball memorabilia. For more information on participating or contributing to this event call George Baso at (218)-564-4878 or (218)-639-1267 or call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-GOLF. Put your team together today!

     This past Saturday, August 21^st Blueberry Pines proudly hosted the 5^th Annual Menahga Gateway Lion’s Club 4-Person Scramble Golf Tournament. This is a fun format benefitting for a great organization. There were hole prizes & door prizes galore, plus a shot at winning a new car with a Hole-in-One on Hole #8, sponsored by Thielen Motors. Special thanks go out to all the participants and sponsors for their help in supporting the Menahga Gateway Lions Club and all they do for our community. 1^st Place went to the team of Ron Usher, Tadd Usher, Sandy Shepersky and Mac McDowell firing the overall low score of 14-under par 58. 1^st Place in the Net Division went to Jim Day, Dustin Berttunen, Brad Neimela and Tim Usher scoring a low net total of 61.

     Wednesday, Aug. 18^th Men’s Night event was a 4-Man 2-Net Better Ball event. 1^st Place went to the team of Andy Williams, Jeff Lund, Mark Schik and Dave Andersen scoring a combined net score of 19-under par net 53. 2^nd Place went to the team of Lyle Heldt, Mike Carr, Bruce Kinnunen and Ron Litzau who finished with a combined net score of 58. Doug Sorenson remains in a commanding lead on the Men’s Night Money Leader list. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to Ed Redalen, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Mike Carr and the longest putt on hole #9 was sunk by Dale Kind. This week’s Men’s Night event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net and next week’s event will be a 2-Man Modified Scotch Ball event. Everyone is always invited to participate in our Men’s Night events here at Blueberry Pines at 5:30, please just simply sign up by 3:00 pm the day of the event.

     Thursday, Aug. 19^th Ladies Night event was a 4-Lady Scramble. 1^st Place went to the team of Barb Schleicher, Suzanne Steele, Barb Thomason and Sandy Shepersky firing the low score of 34. 2^nd Place went to Kim Rasmussen, Connie Hammer, Joy Torvinen and Connie Lambertus carding a score of 37. Amy Andersen remains in the lead on a fairly competitive Ladies Night Money Leader list. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to Dianne Salmela, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Carol Frisby and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Connie Lambertus. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a High/Low Poker Hand event and next week’s event will be a 2-Lady Modified Scotch Ball event. Remember, all players are invited to join our great group of Ladies every Thursday Night at 5:30. Just call to sign up by 3 pm the day of the event!

     Tip of the Week: Improve your Plane for Straighter Ball Flight.

     The plane of your swing should be similar to the angle of a roof on a house. Your club has a definite angle to the ground at address, the club should maintain that angle to the ground throughout your swing. You can also imagine, for example, that there is a sheet of glass starting over the golf ball and continuing through the middle of your neck, that is the angle your club should maintain with the ground. A player that swings on plane generally hits the ball fairly straight. If you need more help with your grip or your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, or Brady Anderson and Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 8-16-10

     Aaaahhh, that hot, sultry weather has finally left us for a while! The perfect Minnesota Golf weather has returned this week and just in time for you to play a little golf at Blueberry Pines Golf Course. Our golf course is spectacular right now! And we hope you can make it out to play very soon! Call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-GOLF (4653) to book your tee time today! Plus check us out on the internet at

     I am really looking forward to this upcoming Friday, August 20, our biggest event ever! Philip Bauer as "The Man in Black" Johnny Cash. This guy looks to be outstanding! You can watch his you tube video just by clicking on the link below his poster on the home page of our website at

     Upcoming this Saturday, August 21^st is the Menahga Gateway Lion’s Club 4-Person Scramble. The tournament will start with a 12:00 noon shotgun. This is a fun format benefitting for a great organization. The entry fee of $60 per player includes your golf, cart, prizes and lunch during play. There will be hole prizes galore + door prizes and good times had by all. Join the fun, support the Menahga Gateway Lions Club and all they do for our community by signing up your team today. Call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-4653.

     The "Outdoor Event of the Season", the Memorial Tournament, this past Friday, Aug. 13, ended up being one of the best indoor events of the season. Wow, what a great day and night. "The Memorial" is a 4-Person Scramble Tournament played in memory of "Everyone’s Best Friend" Tom Strathman and Blueberry Pines’ "#1 Starter" Al Potter. 84 players participated in the tournament and about 150 people participated in the Hog Roast and watched and danced to the band Past Due. We moved the event indoors, mostly due to the volatile weather we’ve been receiving, plus to avoid the mosquitos. Approximately $1,000 was raised to go towards College CD’s for Tom’s Grandchildren plus towards a memorial scholarship fund originally set up by Al in Park Rapids. 1^st Place in the tournament went to Josh Schwangler, Joe Santwire, Al Gardner and Doug Sorenson firing a great score of 16 under par 66. Winning 1^st Place in the Net Division was Mike Drake, Jay Wood, Steve Susich and Austin Pulju carding the net total of 63. 2^nd Place in the Net Division went to the team of Tim Dougherty, Ron Scherer, Denny Lamm and Rick Bodem scoring a net 66. We thank the sponsors who helped to make this a great event!

     Blueberry Pines also proudly hosted the 9^th Annual Sons of Norway "Norsk Open" 4-Person Scramble this past Saturday, August 14. This tournament is played in loving memory of Ken Underwood and Ken Erickson, two former golf loyalists, enthusiasts and supporters and sponsored by the Sons of Norway. It was nice to see original event organizer, Don Schieck as well as Lucille Erickson again supporting this year’s event. Plus a special thanks goes out to new event organizer, Frank Forsberg and his group of volunteers, especially for their providing all the goodies! This year’s event was fairly competitive with two teams tied for 1^st Place at the end of the day. After a scorecard playoff 1^st Place in the Gross Division went to Greg Caspers, Chad Kraft, Mike Caspers and Darla Devorak scoring a 10-under par score of 62. 1^st Place in the Net Division went to Jordan Peterson, Joe LaPlantRyan Swanson and Chris Converse scoring a net 68. 1^st Place in the 9 Hole Division went to Paul Dove, Rod Westrum, John Holty and Mike Cowman scoring a 2-under par total of 34.

     Wednesday, Aug. 11^th Men’s Night event was a 4-Man Low Gross plus Low Net Ball event. 1^st Place went to the team of Brady Anderson, Lyle Heldt, Mark Anderson and Lynn Seward scoring a combined net and gross score of 65 and winning a scorecard playoff. 2^nd Place went to the team of Lee Davis, Neil Wogsland, Mike Carr and Ron Usher who also finished with a score of 65. Doug Sorenson still has a commanding lead on the Men’s Night Money Leader list. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Doug Sorenson, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Brady Anderson and the longest putt on hole #18 was sunk by Russ Weappa. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 4-Man 2-Net Better Ball event and next week’s event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net. Everyone is invited to participate in our Men’s Night events here at Blueberry Pines at 5:30, please just simply sign up by 3:00 pm the day of the event.

     Thursday, Aug. 12^th Ladies Night event was cancelled due to the heavy rain that moved in on again on Thursday Night. Amy Andersen remains in the lead on a fairly competitive Ladies Night Money Leader list. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a 4-Lady Scramble and next week’s event will be High/Low Poker Hand. All players are invited to join our great group of Ladies every Thursday Night at 5:30. Just sign up by 3 pm that day!

     Tip of the Week: Good posture builds a better swing.

     Good posture at setup is essential to a good swing. We all should have listened when mom used to say, sit up straight. The straighter your spine is in your setup, the easier it is to turn around your spine during your swing. Sam Snead used to say you are spinning in a barrel. If you need more help with your grip or your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, or Brady Anderson and Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 8-8-10

     Sounds like it will be heating up again this week. Get your game cooking at Blueberry Pines Golf Club by booking your tee time today! The golf course remains in immaculate condition, thanks to our Superintendent Jeff Yungbauer and his crew. They have been doing an outstanding job all summer. As our summer help will soon be leaving us, we thank them for a job well done. Call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-GOLF (4653) to book your tee time today! Plus check us out on the internet at www.blueberrypinesgolf.com.

     A good human interest story for you. A local golfer, Warren Schwecke, this past week nearly drained his first Hole-in-One. Warren was playing the 14^th hole here at Blueberry Pines this past Wednesday, August 4^th ,when he almost drained the shot of a lifetime, only one problem, the flag was in a different location. I am still looking into whether or not his Hole-in-One would have been legitimate, I’m sorry to say, my guess is no. The reason for the brief time with two cups was that we were replacing some of the cups that day and when our worker needed to run back to the maintenance shop, Warren happened to be playing that hole!

     The "Outdoor Event of the Season", the Memorial Tournament, is this Friday, Aug. 13. "The Memorial" is a 4-Person Scramble Tournament schedule for a 1:30 pm shotgun start. This tournament will be played in memory of "Everyone’s Best Friend" Tom Strathman and Blueberry Pines’ "#1 Starter" Al Potter. A grand event schedule, both Tom & Al would be proud of, is planned. This event has it all, 18 Holes of Golf with Cart, followed by a Hog Roast on our driving range, followed by your prize presentation and then Blueberry Pines proudly presents a Fargo-Moorhead band "Past Due" performing "Live" on our Driving Range for your listening and dancing enjoyment. The entry fee of $60.00 per player includes it all, your golf, cart, prizes, Hog Roast and a wrist band, for entry into "Past Due", a band billed as "Entertainment Worth the Wait". Past Due will play from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. If you would like to participate, but cannot play in the golf tournament, stop and check out the outdoor entertainment event of the season for a $5.00 per person cover charge. A portion of each entry will go towards College CD’s for Tom’s Grandchildren plus towards a memorial scholarship fund originally set up by Al in Park Rapids. Get your team together today for a day remembering Tom Strathman and Al Potter. Call (218)-564-GOLF to sign up.

     Join Ole and Lena in the 9^th Annual Sons of Norway "Norsk Open" 4-Person Scramble. Scheduled for a 9:00 Shotgun this Saturday, August 14. All kidding aside, this tournament has traditionally been a very good event, supported by the Sons of Norway, and played in loving memory of Ken Underwood and Ken Erickson, two former golf loyalists, enthusiasts and supporters. Whether you’re an avid golfer or a duffer, join us for a day of golf, dining, competition and social gathering as we remember the Kens. All players are invited to participate. An entry fee of $60 will cover your golf, cart, tee gift, prizes and a meal following play. The only emphasis required to play in this event is on having fun and enjoying your day out on the links. So, put your team together today and sign up by calling Frank Forsberg at (218)-732-7175 or you can also call Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-4653.

     We would like to thank Lamb Weston and RDO Frozen for hosting their Annual Vendors Tournament here at Blueberry Pines this past Thursday, August 5^th. 70 players competed in the 4-Person Scramble format. The twist in their event, to ensure all players have fun and not just to reward the good golfers, is to payback the 4^th Place team as 1^st Place, the 9^th Place team as 2^nd Place and the 15 Place team as 3^rd Place. This years 1^st Place team was Randy Nuemann & Jon Neumann of Neumann Insulation, Josh Scraper and Rich Lunde of Lamb Weston/RDO scoring a 66. 2^nd Place went to Barry Wegner, Dave Green and Jim McLeod of RD Offutt Company and Dan Miller of Lamb Weston/RDO carding a score of 71. 3^rd Place went to Todd Hendrickson & Brett Swanson of Gartner Refrigeration, Bob Pugh of Lamb Weston/RDO and Paul Glassman with Thermal Technologies, shooting a total of 75. Special thanks go out to Julie Larson and Ellie Hensel for organizing this 1^st Class event.

     Wednesday, Aug. 4^th Men’s Night event was a Modified One-Man Scramble. Players could hit any shot over, the twist is, if they did hit a second shot, they had to play the second shot. 1^st Place Gross went to Ronny "Cash" Husby firing the low score of the night, a 2-under par 34. 2^nd Place went to the "King of the Road" Mark Anderson carding a one-under 35. 3^rd Place Gross went to Tim Pederson scoring an even par 36. 1^st Place Low Net went to Neil Wogsland, firing a 10-under par net 26. 2^nd Place Net went to Jeff Lund, just one shot back at 27. 3^rd Place Net went to Lynn Seward carding a net score of 28. We did a blind draw for door prizes this past week, and the winners were Austin Pulju, Don Salmela and Mark Anderson. Doug Sorenson has a commanding lead on the Men’s Night Money Leader list. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 4-Man Low Gross plus Low Net Ball and next week’s event will be a 4-Man 2-Net Better Ball event.

     Thursday, July 29^th Ladies Night event was a Modified One-Lady Scramble Individual Low Net. 1^st Place Gross went to Suzanne Steele firing the low score of 40. 2^nd Place Gross went to Shirley Potter who carded a 41 and won a scorecard playoff over the 3^rd Place winner Amy Andersen who also fired a score of 41. 1^st Place Low Net went to Penny Turner scoring an 8-under par net 28 and winning a scorecard playoff over the 2^nd Place winner Lois Captain who also carded a net 28. 3^rd Place Low Net went to Cathy Reich coming in with a net 29. Closest to Pin from off the green on Hole #1 went to Dianne Salmela, closest to pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Connie Bennett and the longest putt made from on the green on hole #9 went to Suzanne Steele. Amy Andersen moves into the lead on a fairly competitive Ladies Night Money Leader list. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a 4-Lady 2-Net Better Ball and next week’s event will be a.4-Lady Scramble.

     Tip of the Week: The biggest problem with most golf swings is a bad grip.

     My biggest recommendation on the grip is to see at least 3 knuckles on the top of your left hand, for a right-handed player. Plus for your right hand to cover your left thumb. If you need more help with your grip or your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, or Brady Anderson and Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 8-2-10

     The fun and sun have been shining on Northern Minnesota and on Blueberry Pines Golf Club. This perfect grass growing weather has made for some fabulous golf course conditions here at Blueberry Pines Golf Course. Bring your game and your gang, and let that Northern Minnesota sun do some shining on you. Call (218)-564-GOLF (4653) for more information or for tee times today! Or check us out on the internet at blueberrypinesgolf.com

     We had an eventful weekend this past week at Blueberry Pines. On Friday, July 30 we hosted the 6^th Annual Park Rapids Amateur Hockey Association 4-Person Scramble event. All proceeds from this event benefit Park Rapids Amateur Hockey Association Youth Teams and the Panther’s Boys and Girls Varsity Programs. 60 players participated in the event. We thank all the players, volunteers, hole sponsors and prize sponsors for making this year’s event a success. 1^st Place in this year’s tournament went to the Northstar Orthodontics team including Jake Peters, Kelly Conrad, Chris Albee and Tammy Hughes firing a great score of 55, 17-under par. 2^nd Place went to Scott Johnson, Rory Palm, Jay Jorgenson and Walt Harrison winning a scorecard playoff at 58. Visit the PRAHA website at prhockey.com

     We would like to thank Mike and Mark Anderson of Anderson Homes for hosting their yearly golf event in combination with Dynamic Homes of Detroit Lakes here at Blueberry Pines Golf Club this past Friday, July 30. 40 employee’s of the month participated in the dual company outing. 1^st Place went to the team of Jole Miedema, Andy Sterns, Mark Dombeck and Dale Holmer scoring a 3-under par total of 69. 2^nd Place went to Chris Anderson, Ryan Schute, Matt Safar and Jill Cassavant carding an even par total of 72.

     On Saturday, July 31 Blueberry Pines proudly hosted the 8^th Annual Finn Classic. This tournament has grown to be Blueberry Pines’ largest event of the season. 140 Finlanders graced the links competing in this event. This is a great event for Blueberry Pines as well as a great event for our entire community as several of the participants come from a long distance to participate in this event. This year’s event was truly a great one coming down to the last hole, with the 2^nd Place team draining a 30 foot eagle putt to tie for the lead on the final hole of the event. The winning team drained an eagle putt on the first playoff hole, hole #18, from about 20 to win the 2010 Finn Classic. The winning team was James Pinoniemi, Jon Peterson, Brad Ylitalo and Jason Seiter scoring a 13-under par total of 59. Special thanks go to Nate Hendrickson and Kevin Pietila for organizing such a great event!

     The "Outdoor Event of the Season", the Memorial Tournament, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13. "The Memorial" is a 4-Person Scramble Tournament schedule for a 1:30 pm shotgun start. This tournament will be played in memory of "Everyone’s Best Friend" Tom Strathman and Blueberry Pines’ "#1 Starter" Al Potter. A grand event schedule, both Tom & Al would be proud of, is planned. This event has it all, 18 Holes of Golf with Cart, followed by a Hog Roast on our driving range, followed by your prize presentation and then Blueberry Pines proudly presents a Fargo-Moorhead band "Past Due" performing "Live" on our Driving Range for your listening and dancing enjoyment. The entry fee of $60.00 per player includes it all, your golf, cart, prizes, Hog Roast and a wrist band, for entry into "Past Due", a band billed as "Entertainment Worth the Wait". Past Due will play from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. If you would like to participate, but cannot play in the golf tournament, stop and check out the outdoor entertainment event of the season for a $5.00 per person cover charge. A portion of each entry will go towards College CD’s for Tom’s Grandchildren plus towards a memorial scholarship fund originally set up by Al in Park Rapids. Get your team together today for a day remembering Tom Strathman and Al Potter. Call (218)-564-GOLF to sign up.

     Then join Ole and Lena in the 9^th Annual Sons of Norway "Norsk Open" 4-Person Scramble. Scheduled for a 9:00 Shotgun on Saturday, August 14. This tournament is played in loving memory of Ken Underwood and Ken Erickson. Whether you’re an avid golfer or a duffer, join us for a day of golf, dining, competition and social gathering as we remember the Kens. This has traditionally been a very good event which is supported by the Sons of Norway. All players are invited to participate. An entry fee of $60 will cover your golf, cart, tee gift, prizes and a meal following play. The only emphasis required to play in this event is on having fun, and enjoying your day out on the links. So, put your team together today and sign up by calling Frank Forsberg at (218)-732-7175 or you can also call Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-4653.

     Wednesday, July 28^th Men’s Night event was Individual Low Gross & Low Net. 1^st Place went to Jim Carlson carding a 39, winning a scorecard playoff over the 2^nd Place winner Andy Williams also shooting a 39. 1^st Place Net went to Mark Schik firing a net 31. 2^nd Place went to Pat Foss scoring a net 32. 3^rd Place went to Jeff Lund carding a net 34. Closest to the pin on hole #1 went to Mark Anderson, closest to the pin on hole #8 went to Dale Captain and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Austin Pulju. Doug Sorenson remains on top of the Men’s Night Money Leader list. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a One-Man Scramble and next week’s event will be a 4-Man Low Gross plus Low Net Ball.

     Thursday, July 29^th Ladies Night event was Individual Low Net. 1^st Place went to Connie Bennett firing a great score of net 28. 2^nd Place went to Cathy Reich scoring a net 32. 3^rd Place went to Amy Andersen carding a net 33. 4^th Place went to Lois Captain scoring a net 34. 5^th Place went to Bonnie Beilke carding a net 35. Closest to Pin on Hole #10 went to Bonnie Beilke, closest to pin on hole #8 went to Amy Andersen and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Mary Williams. JoAnn Zerwekh is in the lead on the Ladies Night Money Leader list. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a One-Lady Scramble and next week’s event will be a 4-Lady 2-Net Better Ball.

     Tip of the Week: Concentrate on one swing thought.

     Multiple swing thoughts can destroy a great swing. Limit your thoughts to one swing thought and play better golf. If you need help with your golf game, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 7-26-10

     What an exciting season we are having here at Blueberry Pines. Everything seems to be right on track, the golf course is in great condition and business inside has been very good as well. We hope you all get a chance to join us soon in our beautiful north woods setting. Enjoy your day by spending it with us here at Blueberry Pines Golf Club. Call (218)-564-GOLF (4653) for more information or for tee times today! Or check us out on the internet at

     Join us this Friday, July 30 for the 6^th Annual Park Rapids Panther Hockey 4-Person Scramble event. The 4-Person Scramble format makes for a fun event supporting a great cause. This is your chance to help out a very good Hockey Program all while benefitting local youth. Please get your team together and sign up by this Thursday, July 29. Registration begins at 12:00 noon, with a shotgun start at 1:00. All proceeds from this event will benefit Park Rapids Amateur Hockey Association Youth Teams and the Panther’s Boys and Girls Varsity Programs. The entry fee of $100 per player will cover you golf, cart, prizes, tee gift and dinner following play. To sign up call Clayton Hoyt at (218)-255-0773, Jed Norlin at (218)-237-6020 or you can also call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-4653. Visit the PRAHA website at

     Please note your calendar for the following upcoming events. One of our biggest and best outdoor events of the season is quickly approaching, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13, the "Memorial Scramble", which includes a 4-Person Scramble Golf Tournament, an outdoor BBQ Hog Roast and Live Outdoor entertainment featuring the band "Past Due" playing from 7 pm to 11 pm. Plus Blueberry Pines biggest event ever, Philip Bauer as Johnny Cash, featuring the #1 Johnny Cash tribute artist in the USA playing two shows, one at 7 pm and one at 9:15 pm, Friday, Aug. 20. You must check this guy out on the internet, google Philip Bauer as Johnny Cash, he truly has the look, the sound, and the music of Johnny Cash.

     The "Outdoor Event of the Season", the Memorial Tournament, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13. "The Memorial" is a 4-Person Scramble Tournament schedule for a 1:30 pm shotgun start. This tournament will be played in memory of "Everyone’s Best Friend" Tom Strathman and Blueberry Pines’ "#1 Starter" Al Potter. A grand event schedule, both Tom & Al would be proud of, is planned. This event has it all, 18 Holes of Golf with Cart, followed by a Hog Roast on our driving range, followed by your prize presentation and then Blueberry Pines proudly presents a Fargo-Moorhead band "Past Due" performing "Live" on our Driving Range for your listening and dancing enjoyment. The entry fee of $60.00 per player includes it all, your golf, cart, prizes, Hog Roast and a wrist band, for entry into "Past Due", a band billed as "Entertainment Worth the Wait". Past Due will play from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. If you would like to participate, but cannot play in the golf tournament, stop and check out the outdoor entertainment event of the season for a $5.00 per person cover charge. A portion of each entry will go towards College CD’s for Tom’s Grandchildren plus towards a memorial scholarship fund originally set up by Al in Park Rapids. Get your team together today for a day remembering Tom Strathman and Al Potter. Call (218)-564-GOLF to sign up.

     Wednesday, July 21^st Men’s Night event was a 2-Person Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball. 1^st Place went to the team of Ken Shepersky and Tim Pederson firing the low net total of 25. 2^nd Place went to the team of Mark Anderson and Pat Foss teaming up to score a net 29, plus winning a scorecard playoff over the 3^rd Place team of Ron Usher and Lyle Heldt, who also carded low net total of 29. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to Andy Williams, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Austin Pulju and the longest putt on hole #9 was drained by Russ Weappa. Doug Sorenson remains on top of the Men’s Night Money Leader list. This week’s Men’s Night event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net, and next week’s event will be a One Man Scramble. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 holes, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday.

     Thursday, July 22^nd Ladies Night was cancelled due to the stormy weather, which seems to be happening a lot this season on Thursdays. Hopefully this week that trend starts to turn around. JoAnn Zerwekh moved into the lead on the Ladies Night Money Leader list. This week’s Ladies Night event will be Individual Low Net and next week’s event will be a One Lady Scramble. All Lady’s are invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price.

     Tip of the Week: Gain distance through longer levers.

     Gain distance by keeping your levers as long as possible. Your first lever is from the middle of your neck to your shoulder. Not much you can do about that one. The next lever is from your shoulder to your hand. Gain distance by keeping your left arm as straight as possible through impact. And the last lever is from your hand to the club-head. Gain distance here by holding your wrist bend as long as possible on your downswing. If you need help with your golf game, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 7-19-10

     Blueberry Pines Golf Course remains in immaculate condition! Now is a great to play and we welcome you all to stop out and see us very soon. Our event calendar is also beginning to heat up, which several great things going on. We are offering Karaoke every Friday throughout July from 7 pm to 11 pm. Plus we have one of our best outdoor events of the season quickly approaching, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13, the "Memorial Scramble", which includes a 4-Person Scramble Golf Tournament, an outdoor BBQ Hog Roast and Live Outdoor entertainment featuring the band "Past Due" playing from 7 pm to 11 pm. Plus Blueberry Pines biggest event ever, Philip Bauer as Johnny Cash, featuring the #1 Johnny Cash tribute artist in the USA playing two shows, one at 7 pm and one at 9:15 pm, Friday, Aug. 20. You must check this guy out on the internet, google Philip Bauer as Johnny Cash, he truly has the look, the sound, and the music of Johnny Cash. For more information about Blueberry Pines Golf Club and Restaurant, or to book tee times, give us a call at (218)-564-GOLF (4653) or go to our website at blueberrypinesgolf.com.

    
So, if your in our area, stop by and check out our beautiful log clubhouse, our 18 Hole Championship Golf Course, complete with 5 sets of tees, for players of all abilities. Plus, while your out, view our attractions, including our Mute Trumpeter Swans, our spring fed streams and experience our nature, it is, what makes Northern Minnesota so wonderful! You’ll be glad you did!

     Our next scheduled tournament is our Senior/Pre-Senior Tournament scheduled for this upcoming Monday, July 26. A 9:00 shotgun is planned. Flights will be determined by age and handicap. The age divisions are 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & over. The entry fee is $60.00 per player for non-members and $50.00 per player for members. The entry fee includes your golf, cart, dinner and prizes. We will have an optional (gross and net) giant skins game. The format is individual stroke play (play your own ball throughout each hole). This is typically a great event,.which includes a little competition, some great golf and some great food with a lunch served following play, plus a chance to win. Sign up today! To sign up or for more information please call Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (800)-652-4940 or (218)-564-4653.

     Coming up soon, our "Event of the Season", the Memorial Tournament, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13. "The Memorial" is a 4-Person Scramble Tournament schedule for a 1:30 pm shotgun start. This tournament will be played in memory of "Everyone’s Best Friend" Tom Strathman and Blueberry Pines’ "#1 Starter" Al Potter. A grand event schedule, both Tom & Al would be proud of, is planned. This event has it all, 18 Holes of Golf with Cart, followed by a Hog Roast on our driving range, followed by your prize presentation and then Blueberry Pines proudly presents a Fargo-Moorhead band "Past Due" performing "Live" on our Driving Range for your listening and dancing enjoyment. The entry fee of $60.00 per player includes it all, your golf, cart, prizes, Hog Roast and a wrist band, for entry into "Past Due", a band billed as "Entertainment Worth the Wait". Past Due will play from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. If you would like to participate, but cannot play in the golf tournament, stop and check out the outdoor entertainment event of the season for a $5.00 per person cover charge. A portion of each entry will go towards College CD’s for Tom’s Grandchildren plus towards a scholarship fund originally set up by Al in Park Rapids. Get your team together today for a day remembering Tom Strathman and Al Potter. Call (218)-564-GOLF to sign up.

     Wednesday, July 14^th Men’s Night event was a double event, a 9 hole par 3 derby and a 4-hole par 3 scramble. 1^st Place in the par 3 derby went to Kurt Mortenson firing a 29. 2^nd Place went to Rick Meyer carding a 32 and winning a scorecard playoff over the 3^rd Place winner Mark Schik also scoring a 32. 1^st Place in the 4-hole scramble went to Jay Baarstad, Andy Williams, Russ Weappa and Dave Andersen shooting a score of 9. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Austin Pulju, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Mark Schik and the longest putt on hole #18 was sunk by Ken Shepersky. Doug Sorenson remains on top of the Men’s Night Money Leader list. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 2-Man Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball, and next week’s event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 holes, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday.

     Thursday, July 15^th Ladies Night event was a par 3 derby. 1^st Place went to Bev Hepokoski firing the low round of 33. 2^nd Place went to Sharon Dailey carding a 34. 1^st Place Low Net went to JoAnn Zerwekh scoring a net 24. 2^nd Place Net went to Amy Andersen firing a net 26. 3^rd Place went to, one of Blueberry’s favorites, Margaret Lais shooting a net 27. JoAnn Zerwekh moves into the lead on the Ladies Night Money Leader list. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a 2-Lady Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball and next week’s event will be Individual Low Net. All Lady’s are invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price.

     Tip of the Week: A British Open tip - keep the ball down in the wind.

     When playing in the wind it is always a good idea to use a little more club than normal, plus choking down on the club and eliminated wrist bend will help you to hit the ball lower. You may also consider playing the ball a little further back in your stance. If you need help with your golf game, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 7-11-10

     Our entire area continues to be quite busy with several things going on including the Menahga Mid-Summer Celebration and the Hubbard County Fair. Things have been extremely busy at Blueberry Pines as well, which has been great to see! Our grounds crew here at Blueberry Pines has the Golf Course in fabulous shape. I cannot say enough about how well our greens have been rolling. And remember, you all, are always welcome at Blueberry Pines! We are now offering Karaoke, each and every Friday throughout the month of July. Bring your friends and sing along to some of your favorite tunes. For more information about Blueberry Pines Golf Club and Restaurant, or to book tee times, give us a call at (218)-564-GOLF (4653) or go to our website at blueberrypinesgolf.com.

     So, if your in our area, stop by and check out our beautiful log clubhouse, our 18 Hole Championship Golf Course, complete with 5 sets of tees, for players of all abilities. Plus, while your out, view our attractions, including our Mute Trumpeter Swans, our spring fed streams and experience our nature, it is, what makes Northern Minnesota so wonderful! You’ll be glad you did!

     Coming up soon, our "Event of the Season", the Memorial Tournament, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13. "The Memorial" is a 4-Person Scramble Tournament schedule for a 1:30 pm shotgun start. This tournament will be played in memory of "Everyone’s Best Friend" Tom Strathman and Blueberry Pines’ "#1 Starter" Al Potter. A grand event schedule, both Tom & Al would be proud of, is planned. This event has it all, 18 Holes of Golf with Cart, followed by a Hog Roast on our driving range, followed by your prize presentation and then Blueberry Pines proudly presents a Fargo-Moorhead band "Past Due" performing "Live" on our Driving Range for your listening and dancing enjoyment. The entry fee of $60.00 per player includes it all, your golf, cart, prizes, Hog Roast and a wrist band, for entry into "Past Due", a band billed as "Entertainment Worth the Wait". Past Due will play from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. If you would like to participate, but cannot play in the golf tournament, stop and check out the outdoor entertainment event of the season for a $5.00 per person cover charge. A portion of each entry will go towards College CD’s for Tom’s Grandchildren plus towards a scholarship fund originally set up by Al in Park Rapids. Get your team together today for a day remembering Tom Strathman and Al Potter. Call (218)-564-GOLF to sign up.

     Our next scheduled tournament is our Senior/Pre-Senior Tournament scheduled for this upcoming Monday, July 26. A 9:00 shotgun is planned. Flights will be determined by age and handicap. The age divisions are 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & over. The entry fee is $60.00 per player for non-members and $50.00 per player for members. The entry fee includes your golf, cart, dinner and prizes. We will have an optional (gross and net) giant skins game. The format is individual stroke play (play your own ball throughout each hole). This is typically a great event,.which includes a little competition, some great golf and some great food with a lunch served following play, plus a chance to win. Sign up today! To sign up or for more information please call Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (800)-652-4940 or (218)-564-4653.

     Wednesday, July 7^th Men’s Night event was Flag Night, plus Low Gross and Low Net. 1^st Place in Individual Low Gross went to Doug Sorenson firing a 39. 1^st Place Low Net went to Pat Foss carding a 5-under par net total of 31. Winning the long drive on hole #1 was Steve Susich. The longest putt made on hole #2 went to Paul Haldorson. Doug Sorenson was closest to the pin on the 3^rd shot on hole #3. Winning closest to the pin from the tee on #4 was Dale Captain. Dale Captain also claimed the closest to the 150 marker on hole #5. On hole #6, closest to the pin on the 2^nd shot went to Doug Sorenson. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #7 went to Mark Thomason. Closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 was claimed by Mike Erickson. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #9 went to Ron Husby and the longest putt made on hole #9 was drained by Dale Captain. Doug Sorenson again increases his lead on top of the Men’s Night Money Leader list. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a double event, a Par 3 Derby, plus a 4-Hole Scramble event, and next week’s event will be a 2-Man Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 holes, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday.

     Thursday, July 8^th Ladies Night event was Flag Night, plus Low Gross and Low Net. All the gals went out, played either 4 or 5 holes and then bam, it began to downpour, which we briefly waited out, but to no avail. The severally drenched players chose not to continue. Vera Staus remains in a slight lead on the Ladies Night Money Leader. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a Par 3 Derby and next week’s event will be a 2-Lady Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball. All Lady’s are invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price.

     Tip of the Week: How to putt down hill on slick greens.

     A great tip I learned years ago watching Chi Chi Rodriguez during an interview talking on TV. He was playing a golf course with fast greens and talking about putting the slick down hill putts. He said if it’s a down hill putt that breaks to the left, play the ball more to the toe of the putter. If it’s a down hill putt that breaks to the right, play the ball more to the heel of the putter. What this does, is two things, it takes some of the speed off the ball plus takes some of the break out of the putt. The ball actually spins a little away from the center of gravity in the putter, the sweet spot, reducing the break. Try it for yourself. If you need help with your golf game, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 7-2-10

     The heat is on! And what great timing! It feels fabulous to be smoking hot, especially over the 4^th of July Weekend! I hope everyone out there had a great and safe Holiday! Blueberry Pines Golf Course is in fabulous shape, our greens in particular are rolling extremely well, and remember the General Public is always welcome. Plus we have some interesting stuff going on the inside as well. This week on Friday, July 9 stop in for a chance to meet with Babe Winkelman, Professional Fisherman as well as Television Celebrity. He will be golfing here in the morning and available in our Lounge at approximately 3:00 p.m. to meet, trade fishing stories with, or get a signed autograph. Plus hang around until 7:00 p.m. and enjoy Karaoke in our Lounge until 11:00 p.m. We will be offering Karaoke each and every Friday throughout the month of July. Bring your friends and sing along to some of your favorite tunes. For more information about Blueberry Pines Golf Club and Restaurant, or to book tee times, give us a call at (218)-564-GOLF (4653) or go to our website at blueberrypinesgolf.com.

     So, if your in our area, stop by and out our beautiful log clubhouse, our 18 Hole Championship Golf Course, complete with 5 sets of tees, for players of all abilities. Plus while your out, view our attractions including our Mute Trumpeter Swans and our spring fed streams and experience our nature, it is what makes Northern Minnesota so wonderful! You’ll be glad you did!

     Our next upcoming tournament is a 2-Person Best Ball. Scheduled for Sunday, July 11, with a shotgun start at 1:00. We will offer a Handicap Flight and a Championship Flight. The Handicap Flight will play from the White or Red Tees and use Gross and Net Scores. The Championship Flight will play from the Blue Tees and use Gross Scores only. Players with a 6.0 handicap index or less plus players that are 18 years of age or younger must play in the Championship Flight. Players in the Handicap Flight must have a current USGA Handicap. The entry fee is $60 per player and will include your golf, cart, prizes and a meal following play. Call your golfing partner and put your team together today! To sign up or for more information, please the call our golf shop at (218)-564-4653.

     Then our "Event of the Season", the Memorial Tournament scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13. "The Memorial" is a 4-Person Scramble Tournament schedule for a 1:30 pm shotgun start. This tournament will be played to remember "Everyone’s Best Friend" Tom Strathman and Blueberry Pines’ "#1 Starter" Al Potter. A grand event schedule, both Tom & Al would be proud of, is planned. This event has it all, 18 Holes of Golf with Cart, followed by a Hog Roast on our driving range, followed by your prize presentation and then Blueberry Pines proudly presents a Fargo-Moorhead band "Past Due" performing "Live" on our Driving Range for your listening and dancing enjoyment. The entry fee of $60.00 per player includes it all, your golf, cart, prizes, Hog Roast and a wrist band, for entry into "Past Due", a band billed as "Entertainment Worth the Wait". Past Due will play from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. If you would like to participate, but cannot play in the golf tournament, stop and check out the outdoor entertainment event of the season for a $5.00 per person cover charge. A portion of each entry will go towards College CD’s for Tom’s Grandchildren plus towards a scholarship fund originally set up by Al in Park Rapids. Get your team together today for a day remembering Tom Strathman and Al Potter. Call (218)-564-GOLF to sign up.

     Wednesday, June 30^th Men’s Night event was Chicago Quota System. There was a 3-way tie for 1^st Place between Ron Usher, Lyle Heldt and Dave Anderson all scoring 8 points each. Finishing in 4^th Place with 5 points was Mark Schik. Doug Sorenson holds a commanding lead on top of the Men’s Night Money Leader list. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Todd Sandquist, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Mark Anderson and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Ron Usher. This week’s Men’s Night event will be Flag Night, plus Low Gross and Low Net, and next week’s event will be a double event, a Par 3 Derby, plus a 4-Hole Scramble event. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday.

     Thursday, July 1^st Ladies Night event was a 2-Lady Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball. 1^st Place went to the team of Kim Rasmussen and Amy Andersen firing a 11-under par score of 25. 2^nd Place went to Mary Williams and Bonnie Bielke scoring a 28. After a scorecard playoff, 3^rd Place went to JoAnn Zerwekh and Bonnie Bielke with a 29 and 4^th Place went to Joy Torvinen and Barb Thomason also with a 29. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Barb Schleicher, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Mary Williams and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Dolly Dissmore. Vera Staus is holding a slight lead on the Ladies Night Money Leader. This week’s Ladies Night event will be Flag Night, plus Low Gross and Low Net and next week’s event will be a Par 3 Derby. All Lady’s are invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price.

     Tip of the Week: Hitting from the deep rough.

     The grass has been growing and the rough has gotten deeper. Best advise to get out of the deep rough is to get some new technology. Hybrids work great out of the rough, the higher lofted the better. If you don’t have today’s technology, the old fashion way is to bend your wrists a little sooner than normal, creating a steeper arch, which allows the club to catch less grass before the ball on the way down, again the more lofted club the better. If you need help with your golf game, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

 

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 6-28-10

     Wow, how the time just seems to fly by, it is already the 4^th of July! This is most definitely one of the busiest times of the year for us, and for our entire area. I would like to invite you all to visit Blueberry Pines Golf Club over the Independence Day Holiday Weekend! Our golf course is in fabulous shape and our business inside has been excellent as well. Experience Blueberry Pines Golf Club this week, next week and every week, we always welcome you. For more information about us or to book tee times, give us a call at (218)-564-GOLF (4653) or go to our website at blueberrypinesgolf.com. May you all have a safe and happy Holiday!

     This past Friday, June 25 we hosted a 4-Person Scramble Tournament benefitting the UNC Warrior Wrestling Program. The proceeds for this event help support our local youth and the UNC Warrior Wrestling program. 1^st Place in the tournament went to the Shepersky Meats team including Brian Carlson, Jake Shepersky, Brian Dunrud and Dustin Berttunen firing the low round of 63. 2^nd Place went to Dave Fjeldheim, Ardell Paulson, Stephanie Paulson and Bruce Lund carding the score of 64. What an outstanding event this turned out to be, prizes galore. A huge thank you goes out to all the participants and sponsors helping to make this event such a huge success.

     This Saturday, June 26 we hosted the Dollars for Scholars 4-Person Scramble. Players in this event had a chance to win $10,000 cash for a Hole-in-One on Hole #8 sponsored by Coldwell Banker, Clack & Dennis Real Estate. This is always a fun event which benefits local youth with a fun format benefitting a great cause. Participation was a little down this year due to scheduling conflicts but the tournament was a great event none the less. 1^st Place went to Jeremy Nordick, Jamie Nordick, Kevin Johnson and Ian McRay firing the low score for the day a 2-under par 70. A big thank you goes out to the participants and sponsored who help make this event a success.

     Our next upcoming tournament is a 2-Person Best Ball. Scheduled for Sunday, July 11, with a shotgun start at 1:00. We will offer a Handicap Flight and a Championship Flight. The Handicap Flight will play from the White or Red Tees and use Groos and Net Scores. The Championship Flight will play from the Blue Tees and use Gross Scores only. Players with a 6.0 handicap index or less plus players that are 18 years of age or younger must play in the Championship Flight. Players in the Handicap Flight must have a current USGA Handicap. The entry fee is $60 per player and will include your golf, cart, prizes and a meal following play. Call your golfing partner and put your team together today! To sign up or for more information, please the call our golf shop at (218)-564-4653.

     Wednesday, June 23^rd Men’s Night event was Individual Low Gross and Low Net. 1^st Place Low Gross went to Dana Husby carding a 40. 1^st Place Low Net went to Russ Weappa scoring a net 32. Doug Sorenson is still holding a commanding lead on top of the Men’s Night Money Leader list. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to Lee Davis, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Curt Marjama and the longest putt on hole #9 went to, yours truly, Jim Carlson. This week’s Men’s Night event will be Chicago Quota System, and next week’s event will be Flag Night, plus Low Gross and Low Net. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, June 24^th Ladies Night was finally not postponed due to the weather. The event was a 4-Person Scramble, although we did have a couple 3-Person teams. 1^st Place went to the team of Deb Gens, Margaret Lais and Amy Andsersen firing a 1-under par score of 35. There was a tie for second place and after a scorecard playoff the 2^nd Place team was Janakaye Husby, Joy Torvinen, Barb Schleicher and Shirley Potter shooting a 37. 3^rd Place went to Mary Williams, Doreen Schik, Renee Brauer and Connie Bennett also carding a score of 37. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to JoAnn Zerwekh, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Connie Bennett and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Deb Gens. Vera Staus is holding a slight lead on the Ladies Night Money Leader. This week’s Ladies Night event will be High/Low Poker Hand and next week’s event will be Flag Night, plus Low Gross and Low Net. Everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Make more putts.

     A great tip to help you all make more putts. When your practicing your putting, it is always a good idea to practice putts you can make. I see it way to often, out the window of the golf shop. Players practicing their putting, hitting bombs from one end of the putting to the other and then back again. Never making a putt. Gain more confidence by practicing putts you can make. Then when the putts get a little longer, your increased confidence will help you succeed more often. If you need help with your golf game, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

                                    Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 6-21-10

     This Friday, June 25 Blueberry Pines Golf Club proudly presents "The Classics". Performing live on stage, one night only, music from the Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin era. Showtime is at 8:00 pm. For tickets or reservations call Blueberry Pines at (218)-564-GOLF (4653). Plus check out our ad in this Review Messenger. Ron Christianson will play the role of Dean Martin and Bob Saulsbury portrays Frank Sinatra. This is a Las Vegas Style show with a very elaborate stage! For more information go to our website blueberrypinesgolf.com.

     Blueberry Pines Golf Club proudly hosted Relay for Life Golf Benefit this past Friday, June 18. The event was a 4-Person Scramble. The 1^st Place team was Ron Husby, Jim Talbot, Lee Davis and Alex Pederson firing the low score of 10-under par 62. 1^st Place in the Net Division went to Ed Redalen, Joan Redalen, Andrew Clopton and Alex Clopton carding a net total of 64. Special thanks goes out to all the sponsors and participants for making this a great new event. Also a big thank you goes out to Dave "Shooter" Hanson for his work in setting up and orchestrating this event benefitting such a good cause.

     This Friday, June 25 we are hosting a 4-Person Scramble Tournament benefitting the UNC Warrior Wrestling Program. The event will start with a shotgun start at 1:00, with registration from 11:30 to 12:30.. The entry fee is only $60 per player and includes your golf, cart, prizes and a meal. Participants may call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-4653 or Nate Hendrickson at (218)-837-5789. This is looking to be a very fun event with prizes galore. Plus the proceeds help support our local youth and the UNC Warrior Wrestling program, so get your team together and sign up today!

     Plus this Saturday, June 26 we are hosting the Dollars for Scholars 4-Person Scramble. The event will kick off with a shotgun start at 11:00, with registration from 9:30 to 10:30. Play in this event for a chance to win $10,000 cash for a Hole-in-One on Hole #8 sponsored by Coldwell Banker, Clack & Dennis Real Estate. This promises to be a fun event which benefits local youth, so start putting your team together, and put your team together for this great event. If you are not a golfer or cannot attend, please consider contributing to this great event. The entry fee of $55.00 will include your golf, cart and prizes plus will include some fun on-course events. A fun format and a great cause. For more information or to sign up, please call Michelle Koch at (218)-732-5099 or Jim Carlson at Blueberry Pines Golf Club at (218)-564-4653.

     This past Monday, June 21 we hosted our annual Ladies Invitational Tournament. In the Women’s 1^st Flight, 1^st Place Low Gross and the overall Low Gross Champion for 2010 is LeeAnn Townsend, of Fargo, ND, firing a 79. 2^nd Place Gross went to Karrin Hawkins, of Detroit Lakes, scoring an 84. 1^st Place Low Net to Marilyn Berry, of Fargo, ND, scoring a net 71. 2^nd Place Net went to JoEllen Reeck, of Staples, shooting a 73. In the 2^nd Flight, 1^st Place Low Gross went to Gloria Polman, of Perham, carding a 95. 2^nd Place Low Gross went to Barb Hasselberg of Staples firing an even 100. 1^st Place Low Net went to Linda Smith, of Ottertail, scoring a 73. 2^nd Place Net went to Lisa Larson, of Detroit Lakes, shooting a 76. In the Senior 1^st Flight, 1^st Place Low Gross went to Mary Lobin, of Fargo, firing an 81. 2^nd Place went to Sue Jongeward, of Detroit Lakes, with an 89. 1^st Place Low Net and overall Low Net Champion went to Bev Hepokoski of Menahga firing a net 67. 2^nd Place Net went to Virginia Prieb, of Pelican Rapids, scoring a net 69. In the Senior 2^nd Flight, 1^st Place Low Gross went to Kathy Green, of Walker, scoring a 92. 2^nd Place Gross went to Mary Jo Warren, of Walker, scoring a 98. 1^st Place Net went to Joyce Olson, of Barnsville, carding a 70. 2^nd Place went to Carole Shornack, of Detroit Lakes, scoring a net 72. In the Senior 3^rd Flight, 1^st Place Low Gross went to Carol Frisby, of Park Rapids, shooting a 107. 2^nd Place went to Bonnie Isaacson, of Walker, firing a 108. 1^st Place Low Net went to Marilyn Horn, of Park Rapids, carding a net 69. 2^nd Place Net went to Karen Amble of Bemidji scoring a net 75. 3^rd Place Net went to Jean Proehler, of Detroit Lakes, coming in with a net 77.

     Wednesday, June 16^th Men’s Night event was a 2-Man Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball. 1^st Place went to Dale Captain and Anthony "Boomer" Reichling. A couple of local ringers, who teamed up to fire a net total of 28. Winning a scorecard playoff over the 2^nd Place team of Bruce Kinnunen and Don Salmela who also scored a net total of 28. 3^rd Place went to the team of Tim Bloomquist and Doug Sorenson carding a net 30. Doug Sorenson remains on top of the Men’s Night Money Leader list. This week’s Men’s Night event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net, and next week’s event will be Chicago Quota System. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, June 17^th Ladies Night was postponed due to severe weather. The early season Ladies Night Money Leader is Vera Staus. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a 4-Lady Scramble and next week’s event will be High/Low Poker Hand. Everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: How to play the game.

     Dick Rude, a member and founding member of Blueberry Pines, past away this past Friday, June 18. I wanted to pay him a tribute. Dick Rude lived his life and played the game of golf the right way. It is not about the way you hit the ball, it is about the way you play the game. Dick Rude will be sadly missed and happily remembered. If you need help with your golf game, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 6-14-10

     What a great start to the season here at Blueberry Pines Golf Club. The golf course is in absolutely fabulous condition from tee to green. The entire facility has improved in quality and is off to its fastest start in years. Plus our event calendar has continued to excite. Look for our newest upcoming event "The Classics" performing music from the Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin era Live on Stage Friday, June 25 at 8:00 pm. Check out our ad in this week’s Enterprise. Check out our website at blueberrypinesgolf.com.

     Summer is upon us, so gear up and get ready for our Summer Youth Golf Program at the Blueberry Pines Golf Club scheduled to start this week, Wed., June 16. It is not too late to participate call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop for more information or to sign up at (218)-564-GOLF (4653). Our summer youth golf program will be broken up into three divisions. For all programs this season, lessons will be on Wednesdays and Fridays, June 16, 18, 23 & 25, with the Little Linker Division, ages 6-9, starting at 8:00 finishing at 9:00 a.m., the Youth Medalist Division, ages 10-13, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at 10:00 and the Advanced Youth Junior Tour, ages 14-17, starting at 10:15 a.m. and finishing at 11:15 a.m. For all programs this season, league play tournaments will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, June 28 and 30 & July 5 and 7, with the Little Linker Division, ages 6-9, starting at 8:00 finishing at 9:00 a.m., the Youth Medalist Division, ages 10-13, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at 10:15 and the Advanced Youth Junior Tour, ages 14-17, starting at 10:30 a.m. and finishing at around 1:00 p.m. The cost of $60.00 per person includes 4 lesson dates, 4 league play dates and a year-end banquet scheduled for Tuesday, July 28^th. Start the game of a lifetime by registering today.

     Our Ladies Invitational is scheduled for this upcoming Monday, June 21^st. This event has gotten bigger and better each season. A 9:00 shotgun is planned. The entry fee is $55 for non-members and $45 for members. The entry fee includes your golf, cart, lunch and prizes galore. The tournament format is individual stroke play with regular and senior (60+) divisions. We will payback both gross and net prizes per flight plus we offer a giant gross & net skins game. This years theme is Fix It and Forget It. Make your mark in this fun ladies event and join us for a day of fun, festivities, competition and social gathering. Sign up today by calling the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-GOLF or (800)-652-4940.

     On Monday, June 14^th we hosted our early season Senior/Pre-Senior Tournament. Several players from throughout the area graced the linked of Blueberry Pines. In the 50-59 Division, 1^st Place Low Gross went to Jeff Tweeton, of Perham, firing the tournament low round of 74. 1^st Place Low Net went to Dan Carter of Staples, MN scoring a net 67. 2^nd Place Low Net went to Roger Houselog, of Staples, MN, shooting a net 70. In the 60 & Over Division 1^st Place Low Gross went to the wily old veteran, Dale Captain, of Menahga, firing a great score of 82. 2^nd Place Low Gross went to Bruce Perretti, of Jamul, CA, coming in with a score of 90. 1^st Place Low Net went to Roger Aitken, of Walker, carding a net 71. 2^nd Place Low net went to Bob Glimsdahl, of Park Rapids, firing a great net score of 73. 3^rd Place Low Net went to Tom Dawson, of Bemidji, scoring a low net total of 74.

     Plus we would like to thank John Deere and RDO Equipment for hosting a Golf Outing at Blueberry Pines this past Monday, June 14. Plus we would like to congratulate the winning team Morgan Hullinger, Nicole Cortum, Jeff Kraft and Eric Sahr who teamed up to fire the low score of the event a 6-under par 66. Thanks again for choosing Blueberry Pines for your event.

     Wednesday, June 9^th Men’s Night event was Peoria System Handicap plus Low Gross. Firing the overall low score of the night to win 1^st Place Low Gross was to Mark Anderson who carded a 41. 1^st Place Low Net went to Arland Waters scoring a 5-under par net 31. 2^nd Place went to Tim Pederson shooting the low net score of 32. 3^rd Place Net went to Curt Marjama who carded an even par net total of 36. Doug Sorenson remains on top of the Men’s Night Money Leader list. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 2-Man Low Net Best Ball, and next week’s event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, June 10^th Ladies Night was postponed due to the rain. The early season Ladies Night Money Leader is Vera Staus. This week’s Ladies Night event will be Peoria System Handicap plus Low Gross and next week’s event will be a 4-Lady Scramble. Everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: When should I hit my 3-wood instead of my Driver?

     It is always the best choice to hit the club that puts you in the best position for your next shot. In my opinion more players should be choosing the 3-wood or their driver off the tee. If you are just a beginner, the best rule of thumb to use when choosing what club to hit is to choose the club that gets the ball up in the air. What I mean by that is, if you hitting your 3-wood low to the ground, chances are that your driver ball flight will fly even lower, hitting the ground sooner and not going as far as your 3-wood. Also if your 3-wood is just skimming the ground, then you may be best off hitting your 5-wood. As your game improves and your ball flight increases, keep trying your driver to optimize your game. If you need help with your golf game, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 6-7-10

     Blueberry Pines Golf Club proudly hosted the 9^th Annual St. Joseph’s Golf Benefit this past Wednesday, June 2^nd. What a Great way to kick off the season! Our most spectacular event of the year, was just that, what a magnificent, gala event! If you did not play in this year’s St. Joseph’s Golf Benefit for the Hospice and Scholarship Fund, you must mark this date down in your calendar for next season. It all starts with the fabulous volunteers, to the great St. Joseph’s staff, all the wonderful participants, and the tremendous sponsors of the tournament. This year’s winners were as follows. 1^st Place in the Women’s Division went to the State Bank of Park Rapids team including Rose Higgins, Ann Lempola, Jolene Herberg and Sharon Weaver scoring a net 70. 1^st Place in the Mixed Division went to the team of Deane Johnson, Andrea Frank, Dan Skinner and John Clauer scoring a net 64. 1^st Place in the Men’s Division went to Dave Otterness, Mark Andersen, Kent Cease and Andy Williams after firing a net 64. In the Overall Division, 1^st Place went to the Knapp-Grover team of Walt Leckner, Ryan Leckner, Keith Mueller and Tadd Usher carding an actual score of 53. Congratulations go out to Roger and Barb Stecker for winning the Helicopter Ball Drop. Don Black won the SkyCaddie and Rose Higgins won the 50^th Anniversary Ping Zing Putter. What a great event, we thank all of the participants and sponsors for their help in making this such a memorable annual event!

     Our next upcoming event is our Senior/Pre-Senior Tournament for ages 50 and over, scheduled for this Monday, June 14. A 9:00 shotgun is planned. Flights will be determined by age and handicap. The age divisions are 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80 & over. The entry fee is $55.00 per player for non-members and $45.00 per player for members. The entry fee includes your golf, cart, dinner and prizes. We will have an optional (gross and net) giant skins game. The format is individual stroke play (play your own ball throughout each hole). This is typically a great event and the event also includes food and prizes. To sign up or for more information please call Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (800)-652-4940 or (218)-564-4653.

     Summer is upon us, so gear up and get ready for our Summer Youth Golf Program at the Blueberry Pines Golf Club. Junior Golf Tour information is available in the Menahga & Sebeka Community Ed flyers plus also at the Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Our summer youth golf program will be broken up into three divisions. For all programs this season, lessons will be on Wednesdays and Fridays, June 16, 18, 23 & 25, with the Little Linker Division, ages 6-9, starting at 8:00 finishing at 9:00 a.m., the Youth Medalist Division, ages 10-13, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at 10:00 and the Advanced Youth Junior Tour, ages 14-17, starting at 10:15 a.m. and finishing at 11:15 a.m. For all programs this season, league play tournaments will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, June 28 and 30 & July 5 and 7, with the Little Linker Division, ages 6-9, starting at 8:00 finishing at 9:00 a.m., the Youth Medalist Division, ages 10-13, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at 10:15 and the Advanced Youth Junior Tour, ages 14-17, starting at 10:30 a.m. and finishing at around 1:00 p.m. The cost of $60.00 per person includes 4 lesson dates, 4 league play dates and a year-end banquet scheduled for Tuesday, July 28^th. Start the game of a lifetime by registering today.

     Also upcoming is our Ladies Invitational scheduled for Monday, June 21^st. This event has gotten bigger and better each season. A 9:00 shotgun is planned. The entry fee is $55 for non-members and $45 for members. The entry fee includes your golf, cart, lunch and prizes galore. The tournament format is individual stroke play with regular and senior (60+) divisions. We will payback both gross and net prizes per flight plus gross & net skins. This years theme is Fix It and Forget It. Make your mark in this fun ladies event and join us for a day of fun, festivities, competition and social gathering. Sign up today by calling the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (218)-564-GOLF or (800)-652-4940.

     Wednesday, June 2^nd Men’s Night event was a 2-Man Blind Partner Low Net Total event. 1^st Place went to the team of Doug Sorenson and Doug Bakken firing a net total of 74. 2^nd Place went to Bill Cornelia and Neil Wogsland carding a team total of 76. 3^rd Place went to the team of Lyle Heldt and Ken Shepersky scoring a net 79. Doug Sorenson increases his lead again this week on the Men’s Night Money Leader list. This week’s Men’s Night event will be Peoria System Handicap, and next week’s event will be a 2-Man Low Net Best Ball. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, June 3^rd Ladies Night was a 2-Lady Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball event. 1^st Place went to the team of Bonnie Beilke and Sandy Porter outscoring the field with a net score of 28. 2^nd Place went to JoAnn Zerwehk and Carol Frisby scoring a net 30 and winning a scorecard playoff over the 3^rd Place team of Shelly Miller and Carol Kragenbrink who also carded a net 30. 4^th Place went to the team of Penny Turner and Barb Schleicher after firing a net total of 33. The early season Ladies Night Money Leader remains Vera Staus. Closest to the pin on the 2^nd shot on hole #10 went to Mary Williams, closest to the pin on hole #17 went to Shelly Miller and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Mary Williams. This week’s Ladies Night event will be Bingo, Bango, Bongo and next week’s event will be Peoria System Handicap. Everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Your hands control the face and your arms control the path.

     It is very important to have a proper grip as your grip controls the angle of the face of your club at impact. Plus remember your arms control the path of your club, where ever your arms go, the club goes. If you need help with your golf game, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 5-31-10

     I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Weekend! The golf course was very busy, which was nice to see. The golf course continues to remain in wonderful condition and we welcome you all, to stop out and visit us at Blueberry Pines Golf Club soon.

We also invite you all to take advantage of our yearly, weekly and monthly special rates we have on our website

     Our next upcoming event is our Senior/Pre-Senior Tournament for ages 50 and over, scheduled for Monday, June 14. A 9:00 shotgun is planned. Flights will be determined by age and handicap. The age divisions are 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80 & over. The entry fee is $55.00 per player for non-members and $45.00 per player for members. The entry fee includes your golf, cart, dinner and prizes. We will have an optional (gross and net) giant skins game. The format is individual stroke play (play your own ball throughout each hole). This is typically a great event and the event also includes food and prizes. To sign up or for more information please call Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (800)-652-4940 or (218)-564-4653.

     Summer is upon us and our summer Youth Golf Program available at the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop. Junior Golf Tour information will also be available in the Menahga & Sebeka Community Ed flyers plus at the Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Our summer youth golf program will be broken up into three divisions. For all programs this season, lessons will be on Wednesdays and Fridays, June 16, 18, 23 & 25, with the Little Linker Division, ages 6-9, starting at 8:00 finishing at 9:00 a.m., the Youth Medalist Division, ages 10-13, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at 10:00 and the Advanced Youth Junior Tour, ages 14-17, starting at 10:15 a.m. and finishing at 11:15 a.m. For all programs this season, league play tournaments will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, June 28 and 30 & July 5 and 7, with the Little Linker Division, ages 6-9, starting at 8:00 finishing at 9:00 a.m., the Youth Medalist Division, ages 10-13, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at 10:15 and the Advanced Youth Junior Tour, ages 14-17, starting at 10:30 a.m. and finishing at around 1:00 p.m. The cost of $60.00 per person includes 4 lesson dates, 4 league play dates and a year-end banquet scheduled for Tuesday, July 28^th. Start the game of a lifetime by registering today.

     Wednesday, May 26^th Men’s Night event was a 4-Man Low Gross + Low Net Ball event. 1^st Place Gross went to the team of Kent Cease, Ron Husby, Todd Sandquist and Don Salmela firing a great score of 64. 2^nd Place went to Jay Baarstad, Tim Pederson, Dale Kind and Paul Haldorson carding a team total of 65. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to Terry Ristinen, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Gary Marjama and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Mark Schik. Doug Sorenson remains the Men’s Night Money Leader. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 2-Man Blind Partner Low Net Total event, and next week’s event will be Individual Low Gross and Peoria System Handicap. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, May 27^th Ladies Night was a 4-Lady 2-Net Better Ball event. 1^st Place went to the team of Mary Williams, Karen Weappa, Mary Weappa and Dianne Salmela firing an awesome net total of 52. 2^nd Place went to Deb Gens, Bonnie Beilke, Dolly Dissmore and Sandi Hedde scoring a net 58. 3^rd Place went to the team of Brenda Keller, Penny Voss, Lois Captain and JoAnn Zerwehk scoring a net total of 59. Three players also chipped in winning a hardy chip-in pot including Mary Williams who chipped in on the 6^th hole, Carol Kragenbrink who holed out on the 7^th hole and LaVonne Lindow who also chipped on the 7^th hole. The early season Ladies Night Money Leader remains Vera Staus. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to Janakaye Husby, closest to the pin on hole #8 went to Kim Rasmussen and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Diane Guinn. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a 2-Lady Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball and next week’s event will be Bingo, Bango, Bongo. Everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Double check your alignment.

     An easy thing to check is your alignment. After hitting your shot, simply lay a club down to see where your feet are lined up. If your alignment is off, chances are that you are also making other adjustments in your swing to make up for your bad alignment. Practice good alignment when hitting range balls by laying a club down to help aim properly, it will help your game. I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

     The grass is now going rapidly, the vivid color of green has returned, and just in time for the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Weekend. Our golf course is in fantastic shape and we invite you to experience Blueberry Pines Golf Club soon.

     We do offer and invite you all to take advantage of the yearly, weekly and monthly special rates we have on our website

     This is your last chance to sign up to participate in our Grandest and Biggest event of the season, the 9^th Annual Golf Benefit for St. Joseph’s Hospice & St. Joseph’s Scholarship Fund, scheduled for 
Wednesday, June 2^nd. The format is a 4-Person Scramble. A 12:30 shotgun start is planned. On course prizes and events galore including a Helicopter Ball Drop at 5:30, for which we have tickets available at the Golf Shop for $10.00 each. Your chance to win $5,000.00 if your ball ends up closest to the hole. The tournament is now nearly full, please get your entry in soon! For more information, to sign up, or to contribute to this very special event please call the St. Joseph’s Communication/Development office at (218)-237-5711.

     Summer Youth Golf Program flyers for our summer youth program are out and available at the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop. Junior Golf Tour information will also be available in the Menahga & Sebeka Community Ed flyers plus at the Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Our summer youth golf program will be broken up into three divisions. For all programs this season, lessons will be on Wednesdays and Fridays, June 16, 18, 23 & 25, with the Little Linker Division, ages 6-9, starting at 8:00 finishing at 9:00 a.m., the Youth Medalist Division, ages 10-13, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at 10:00 and the Advanced Youth Junior Tour, ages 14-17, starting at 10:15 a.m. and finishing at 11:15 a.m. For all programs this season, league play tournaments will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, June 28 and 30 & July 5 and 7, with the Little Linker Division, ages 6-9, starting at 8:00 finishing at 9:00 a.m., the Youth Medalist Division, ages 10-13, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at 10:15 and the Advanced Youth Junior Tour, ages 14-17, starting at 10:30 a.m. and finishing at around 1:00 p.m. The cost of $60.00 per person includes 4 lesson dates, 4 league play dates and a year-end banquet scheduled for Tuesday, July 28^th. Start the game of a lifetime by registering today.

     Wednesday, May 19^th Men’s Night event was Individual Low Gross & Low Net. 1^st Place Gross went to Tim Pederson firing a great score of one over par 37, and winning a scorecard playoff over the 2^nd Place Low Gross winner, Jim Novack who also carded the great score of 37. 1^st Place Low Net went to Dale Kind shooting the great net score of 31. 2^nd Place Low Net went to Doug Sorenson carding a net 34. 3^rd Place Low Net went to Terry Ristinen scoring a net 35 and winning a scorecard playoff over the 4^th Place Low Net winner Tim Bloomquist, who also fired a net 35. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Ken Shepersky, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Bruce Kinnunen and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Dale Captain. The Men’s Night Money Leader, Doug Sorenson, increases his lead again this week with his 2^nd Place finish. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 4-Man Low Gross + Low Net Ball, and next week’s event will be a 2-Man Blind Partner Low Net Total event. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, May 20^th Ladies Night was a 3-Lady Purple Ball event. 1^st Place went to the team of Shirley Potter, Dolly Dissmore and Bonnie Beilke carding the team total of 48. 2^nd Place went to Bev Hepokoski, Margaret Lais and Amy Andersen scoring a team total of 49. 3^rd Place went to the team of Suzanne Steele, Carol Kragenbrink and Janakaye Husby scoring a team total of 50. The early season Ladies Night Money Leader is Vera Staus. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Sandi Hedde, closest to the pin on hole #17 went to Penny Turner and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Shirley Potter. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a 4-Lady 2-Net Better Ball event and next week’s event will be a 2-Lady Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball. Everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Definition of the plane of your swing.

     Simply stated, your club has an definite angle to the ground when you are addressing your ball. When you swing your club, the club should maintain that same angle, or stay parallel to that angle, throughout the swing. Swinging the club in plane will help will help your ball striking and ball flight. I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 5-17-10

     Our fabulous Spring weather has returned in full force. This is like absolutely, fabulous golfing conditions, and our golf course here at Blueberry Pines is in wonderful condition. We have extended our Spring Golfing rates as well, so there is zero excuse not to get out and enjoy the weather, the golf course and the spectacular Spring nature and wildlife which is present on our golf course during your round.

     Our Spring rates will stay in effect until Thursday, May 27^th. During the day our 9 holes walking rate it is $20 and our 9 hole riding rate is $30, our 18 hole walking rate is $30 and our 18 hole riding rate is $40. Plus after 3:30 we offer a reduced twilight rate of 9 holes walking for $15 and 9 holes riding for $25, plus an all you can play or 18 hole option of $23 to walk and $35 to ride. Take advantage of these special Spring reduced rates and experience Blueberry Pines Golf Course for yourself today!

     Our next scheduled event is our Grandest and Biggest event of the season, the 9^th Annual Golf Benefit for St. Joseph’s Hospice & St. Joseph’s Scholarship Fund, scheduled for Wednesday, June 2^nd. The format is a 4-Person Scramble. A 12:30 shotgun start is planned. On course prizes and events galore including a Helicopter Ball Drop at 5:30, for which we have tickets available at the Golf Shop for $10.00 each. Your chance to win $5,000.00 if your ball ends up closest to the hole. The tournament is now nearly full, please get your entry in soon! For more information, to sign up, or to contribute to this very special event please call the St. Joseph’s Communication/Development office at (218)-237-5711.

     We are planning a Membership Dinner and Social for Monday, May 24. The early plans are to begin the evening with a Social Hour, starting at 5:30, then our hopes are to do a short fashion show at approximately 6:30, then dinner starting at 7:00, followed by a short entertainment program by a local, well known, to us, musician. Please call the golf shop to sign up or for more information. We ask that all Members please RSVP for this early season gala membership event. All Members should have received a Membership Letter, if you have not, please let me know by calling the Golf Shop.

     Wednesday, May 12^th Men’s Night event was a 4-Man Scramble. 1^st Place went to the team of Doug Sorenson, Dale Kind, Ron Usher and Boomer Reichling firing a 4-under par round of 31. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to Ron Ushalaro, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Pat Foss and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Tim Pederson. This year’s early but commanding Men’s Night Money Leader is Doug Sorenson. This week’s Men’s Night event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net, and next week’s event will be a 4-Man Low Gross + Low Net Ball. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, May 13^th Ladies Night was cancelled due to the rain. The early season Ladies Night Money Leader is Vera Staus. This week’s Ladies Night event will be 3-Lady Purple Ball event and next week’s event will be a 4-Lady 2-Net Better Ball event Everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Practice, practice, practice.

     Golf is a game that most definitely takes practice. Practice builds muscle memory, which improves consistency of repetition. It takes 1200 repetitions to create muscle memory. That is simply 60 repetitions a day for 21 straight days, which should only takes 3-5 minutes if practice swinging. I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 5-10-10

     I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend, especially all of you Mom’s out there! The weather has been a little crazy this past week in the land of 10,000 Seasons, I mean Lakes. Although, the rain we’ve received was badly needed and very well received. It has still been a great start to the season, and I hope you make this your season to start playing golf at Blueberry Pines Golf Club. We tout ourselves as being one of Minnesota’s Finest Lies Up North. Plus remember our slogan is, "we’ll provide the beauty and challenge, you just bring the game". We really hope to see you all out golfing at Blueberry Pines Golf Course real soon!

     This is the last week of our spring rates, which continue through May 13^th. Take advantage of the great golfing rates and our absolutely lovely golfing conditions, by giving us a call at 564-4653 to book your tee time today.

     Our next scheduled event is our grandest and biggest event of the season, the 9^th Annual Golf Benefit for St. Joseph’s Hospice & St. Joseph’s Scholarship Fund, scheduled for Wednesday, June 2^nd. The format is a 4-Person Scramble. A 12:30 shotgun start is planned. On course prizes and events galore including a Helicopter Ball Drop at 5:30, for which we have tickets available at the Golf Shop for $10.00 each. Your chance to win $5,000.00 if your ball ends up closest to the hole. The tournament is filling quickly, so get your entry in today. For more information, to sign up, or to contribute to this very special event please call the St. Joseph’s Communication/Development office at (218)-237-5711.

     Due to the pending rainy and cooler weather forecasted for this week, we have decided to postpone the start of our Community Ed Group Golf Lesson Program to Monday, May 17. Both classes are nearly full, so this is your last chance to sign up. The program is fun and informative at a very reasonable price. The classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at either 5:15 or 6:30 and last about an hour. You will receive six one hour lessons for the cost of $60. The groups will meet twice a week for 3 weeks, starting at either 5:15 pm or 6:30 pm. If you are interested in starting the game of a lifetime, looking to get outside and get some exercise or just looking to improve your current game, call our Golf Shop at (218)-564-4653 to sign up for this 1^st Group Lesson Series of the season.

     We are planning a Membership Dinner and Social for Monday, May 24. The early plans are to begin the evening with a Social Hour, starting at 5:30, then our hopes are to do a short fashion show at approximately 6:30, then dinner starting at 6:45, followed by a short entertainment program by a local, well known, to us, musician. Please call the golf shop to sign up or for more information. We ask that all Members please RSVP for this early season gala membership event.

     Wednesday, May 5^th Men’s Night event was a 3-Man Purple Ball event, in which, players alternated playing the purple ball each hole and the team received the score of the player playing the purple ball. 1^st Place went to the team of Ron Litzau, Andy Williams and Paul Haldorson scoring a fabulous total of 38. There nearest competitor came in with a 45 and that was the team of Jim Novack, Tim Bloomquist and Boomer Reichling. This team was touted as Boom Boom, Bloomers and Boomer. The early season Men’s night Money Leader is Doug Sorenson who has started the season in fine form. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Bob Gack, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Ron Litzau and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Austin Pulju. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 4-Man Scramble, and next week’s event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, May 6^th Ladies Night event was Individual Low Net. 1^st Place went to Shirley Potter after carding the great net score of 33. 2^nd Place went to Mary Williams scoring a low net score of 35. The early season Ladies Night Money Leader is none other than, the one, the only Vera Staus. We did a blind draw for a door prize also on Ladies Night and the winner was Joy Torvinen. This week’s Ladies Night event will be 4-Lady Scramble event and next week’s event will be a 4-Lady Purple Ball event. Everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Fix Your Slice.

     The majority of slicers start with a weak grip. Then create an outside in swing path due to the weak grip. I just recently purchased a New Training Aid developed by a local player to help you obtain a stronger grip. If you would like to check this device out, stop in to the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop. It will help you recognize exactly what stronger grip is. I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing! If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 5-3-10

     The weather has seemed to cool off a little this week, at the start of May, but the precipitation we have received has been heaven sent. The grass will soon be growing like crazy, letting us all know that summer is right around the corner. I want to wish all the Mom’s out there a wonderful and safe Mother’s Day Weekend. Hopefully all you Mom’s out there will get a chance to spend a little time with us here at Blueberry Pines. We would love to help you celebrate your special day

     I am happy to introduce another new Assistant Professional we have added to our staff here at Blueberry Pines Golf Club, Andrew Martinson. Andrew grew up in Henning, MN and graduated form Wadena-Deer Creek High School in 2002. Andrew is a recent graduate from the Golf Academy of America in Chandler, Arizona getting his degree in Golf Course Management. For those of you who like to hit the ball long off the tee, you may want to stop and see Andrew, who has done a little competition in Long Driving Championships.

     Spring rates are still in effect and will continue through May 13^th. Take advantage of the great golfing rates and absolutely lovely golf course conditions, by giving us a call at 564-4653 to book your tee time today.

     We are beginning our Community Ed Group Golf Lesson Program which will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at either 5:15 or 6:30. You will receive six one hour lessons for the cost of $60. The groups will meet twice a week for 3 weeks, starting at either 5:15 pm or 6:30 pm and lasting for approximately one hour. If you are interested in starting the game of a lifetime, looking to get outside and get some exercise or just looking to improve your current game, call our Golf Shop at (218)- 564-4653 to sign up for the 1^st Group Lesson Series which will be starting Monday, May 10.

     Our next scheduled event is our grandest and biggest event of the season, the 9^th Annual Golf Benefit for St. Joseph’s Hospice & St. Joseph’s Scholarship Fund, scheduled for Wednesday, June 2^nd. The format is a 4-Person Scramble. A 12:30 shotgun start is planned. On course prizes and events galore including a Helicopter Ball Drop at 5:30, for which we have tickets available at the Golf Shop for $10.00 each. Your chance to win $5,000.00 if your ball ends up closest to the hole. The tournament is filling quickly, so get your entry in today. For more information or to sign up, please call the St. Joseph’s Communication/Developemnet office at (218)-237-5711.

     Wednesday, April 28^th Men’s Night event was a 3-Man 2-Net Better Ball event counting the lowest two net balls per 3-some. 1^st Place went to the team of Ken Mackley, Bruce Kinnunen and Russ Weappa carding a staggering 9-under par net 63. 2^nd Place went to Jim Novack, Mark Anderson and Austin Pulju teaming up to score a net total of 7-under par 65. It was a fun finish to the evening as no skins where won, and the rule for the night was if no skins were won we would do a blind draw of the scorecards for the skins money. Winning the skins pot was the team of Kent Cease, Bob Gack and Todd Sandquist. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to Mark Schik, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Kris Holmen and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Ken Mackley. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 4-Man Pink Ball event, and next week’s event will be a 4-Man Scramble. Everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, April 29^th Ladies Night event was cancelled due to the rain and cool weather. This week’s Ladies Night event will be 4-Lady Pink Ball event and next week’s event will be a 4-Lady Scramble. Everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Keep the ball down!

     In the spring it tends to be a little breezier and when it is a little on the windy side, it is a good idea to keep the ball down a little lower and out of the wind. When trying to hit the ball lower, make a little shallower swing path and reduce your wrist bend. This will take a little spin off the ball and will make you ball flight a little lower and more consistent in the breezy conditions. It is also a good idea to take an extra club or two when trying to knock the ball down. I invite you all to call Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals here at Blueberry Pines. They are both experienced teachers and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing! If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, Brady Anderson or Andrew Martinson, the new Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 4-26-10

     The wonderful Spring Golfing Conditions continue this week! I hope you all are able to take advantage of the spectacular weather. Make this season, your season to begin playing the game of a lifetime! If you are an experience player, make this your year to make a commitment to improving your game! I sure don’t think you can find a much nicer Golf Course or Golf Club than Blueberry Pines Golf Club to enjoy the companionship of your friends and family and enjoy the absolute beauty of the, up-north, Minnesota outdoors plus the vast array of wildlife we have to offer here at Blueberry Pines. Make this your year to get out, enjoy and play some golf.

     Plus we are still offering our Spring rates through May 13^th, so take advantage of the wonderful spring weather, by giving us a call at 564-4653 to book your tee time today.

We are beginning our Community Ed Group Golf Lesson Program which will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at either 5:15 or 6:30. You will receive six one hour lessons for the cost of $60. The groups will meet twice a week for 3 weeks, starting at either 5:15 pm or 6:30 pm and lasting for approximately one hour. If you are interested in starting the game of a lifetime, looking to get outside and get some exercise or just looking to improve your current game, call our Golf Shop at (218)- 564-4653 to sign up for the 1^st Group Lesson Series which will be starting Monday, May 10.

     This past Sunday, April 25 we held our first tournament of the season, our Spring 4-Person Scramble. We offered two divisions, a Championship Flight and a Handicap Flight. In the Championship Flight 1^st Place went to the team of Ron Litzau, of Menahga, plus Shane Hendrickson, Ryan Guck and Ryan Hendrickson of Perham firing the low score of the day, a 14-under total of 58. 2^nd Place went to a Detroit Lakes and Wahpeton, ND team of Dave Conzemius, Brooks Larson, Chad Miller and Robert Schueler, winning a scorecard playoff after carding a score of 13-under par 59. 3^rd Place went to Ron Usher, Tadd Usher and Tim Usher of Menahga and Ryan Steinert of Detroit Lakes shooting a great score of 59. In the Handicap Flight 1^st Place Low Gross went to Dave Simenson, Becky Simenson, Joell Diamond and Bob Fisher of Fargo scoring a 64. Winning 1^st Place Low Net in the Handicap Flight was the team of Rich Hendrickson, Steve Koralewski, Brad Gunderson of Oak Lake, MN and Matt Radniecki of Wadena scoring a net 56.

     Wednesday, April 21^st Men’s Night event was Low Putts, plus a side game of Low Gross and Low Net. 1^st Place Low Gross went to Doug Soresnon firing a 3-over par 39. 1^st Place Low Net went to Ron Usher, outdoing his handicap to a tune of 4-under par net 32. Waving the magic wands out on the golf course for 1^st Place in Low Putts were the wily veteran, Jack Bloomquist, and Dale Kind, who both finished with just 14 putts each. 3^rd Place in Low Putts went to Tim Pederson, finishing just one putt back with a total of 15 putts. Finishing tied for 4^th Place in Low Putts with 16 each were Russ Weappa and the low handicapper, Mike Carr. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #10 went to Ken Mackley, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Paul Haldorson and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Jack Bloomquist. This week’s Men’s Night event will be a 4-Man 2-Net Better Ball, using the best two net scores per 4-some, and next week’s event will be a 4-Man Pink Ball event. Remember everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, April 22^nd Ladies Night event was a 3-Lady Net Best Ball. Blitzing the field with a 10-under par score of 26 was the team of Kim Rasmussen, Janakaye Husby and Vera Staus. 2^nd Place went to Suzanne Steele, Shirley Potter and Carol Frisby scoring a 7-under par net 29. Closest to pin from off the green on Hole #10 went to Vera Staus, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Shelly Miller and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Connie Wadman. This week’s Ladies Night event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net and next week’s event will be a 4-Lady Pink Ball event. Remember everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Tee it High and let it Fly!

     Remember with today’s new driver technology you need to tee the ball little higher than you did with your old driver to maximize the performance. My recommendation would be to tee the ball with approximately 1/8 to 1/4 of the ball covering the top line of your new driver. I hope this helps you all tee it high and let it fly! I invite you all to call Brady Anderson, the new Teaching Professional here at Blueberry Pines. He is an experienced teacher and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing! If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, or Brady Anderson, the new Teaching Professional on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 4-19-10

     Wow, what a fabulous Spring! The weather has just been fabulous! A little slow, evening rain would be nice, but for all you golfers out there, the weather has been fantastic. Take advantage of the beautiful Spring, by getting outdoors, spending some time out on the golf course, getting some great exercise, while spending some quality time with family or friends.

     The golf course here at Blueberry Pines is really in incredibly good shape for this time of season. Our greens are in exceptionally good shape. Plus we are still offering our Spring rates through May 13^th, so take advantage of the wonderful spring weather, by giving us a call at 564-4653 to book your tee time today.

     Our first tournament of the season is a 4-Person Scramble scheduled for Sunday, April 25. The event will begin with a shotgun start at 1:00. There will be two divisions a Championship Flight and a Handicap Flight. The Championship Flight will tee off from the Blue Tees and will compete with gross scores only. The Handicap Flight will tee off from the White Tees for Men and the Red Tees for Women and will compete using both gross scores and net scores, with each team receiving 20% of their teams total handicap. The entry fee of $60 includes your golf, cart, prizes and a meal following play. Please call the golf shop at 564-4653 for more information or to sign up.

     We are beginning our Community Ed Group Golf Lesson Program which will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at either 5:15 or 6:30. You will receive six one hour lessons for the cost of $60. The groups will meet twice a week for 3 weeks, starting at either 5:15 pm or 6:30 pm and lasting for approximately one hour. If you are interested in starting the game of a lifetime, looking to get outside and get some exercise or just looking to improve your current game, call our Golf Shop at (218)- 564-4653 to sign up for the 1^st Group Lesson Series which will be starting Monday, May 10.

     Wednesday, April 14^th Men’s Night event was a 3-Man Scramble. 1^st Place went to the team of Al Gardner, Pat Foss and Doug Sorenson, winning a 4-team scorecard playoff with the score of 35. 2^nd Place went to Doug Bakken, Russ Weappa and Bruce Kinnunen. who also survived the 4-team scorecard playoff to win 2^nd. The 1^st & 2^nd Place teams also won the only two skins of the evening with Al Gardner, Pat Foss and Doug Sorenson scoring a birdie 3 on the 9^th hole, and Doug Bakken, Russ Weappa and Bruce Kinnunen carding a birdie 2 on the 4^th Hole. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 went to Mark Schik, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Bruce Kinnunen and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Doug Sorenson. This week’s Men’s Night event will be Low Putts, plus Low Gross and Low Net, and next week’s event will be 4-Man 2-Net Better Ball, using the best two net scores per 4-some. Remember everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, April 15^th Ladies Night event was a Low Putts, plus Low Gross and Low Net. 1^st Place Low Gross went to Suzanne Steele firing a 43. 1^st Place Low Net went to Karen Weappa carding a net 31. The masters of the greens, finishing tied for 1^st Place in Low Putts were Dolly Dissmore and Marie Dearstyne each with just 17 putts. 3^rd Place in Low Putts went to Suzanne Steele with 19 putts. Closest to pin form off the green on Hole #1 went to Karen Weappa, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Karen Weappa and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Joy Torvinen. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a 4-Lady 2 Net Better Ball event, using the two lowest net scores per 4-some. Remember everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Get Back to Basics!

     Spring to a great time to get back to basics. It is a great time to check you grip, your stance, your set-up to the target, and your swing path. Check your basics and improve your swing. If you need help getting back to the basic, I invite you all to call Brady Anderson, the new Teaching Professional here at Blueberry Pines. He is an experienced teacher and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing! If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, or Brady Anderson, the new Teaching Professional on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 4-12-10

     Congratulations go out to Phil Mickelson for winning his 3^rd Green Jacket this past weekend in honorable fashion at the Masters. Carding only one bogey on his final round at Augusta is pretty solid. Phil is a popular guy, a class act, and it was really nice to see him win.

The warm weather again looks to continue this week, plus there is a possibility for a little badly needed TLC from Mother Nature this week. Rain can dampen the spirit of a golfer, but at this time of year, it is just exactly what’s needed to return the golf course to the pristine shape and color of summer.

     The golf course here at Blueberry Pines is really in incredibly good shape for this time of season. Our watering system is now up and running. Stop out and check it out for yourself, get a little exercise while having fun with your family or friends. Plus we are still offering our Spring rates through May 13^th, so take advantage of the wonderful spring weather, by giving us a call at 564-4653 to book your tee time today.

     Our first tournament of the season is a 4-Person Scramble scheduled for Sunday, April 25. The event will begin with a shotgun start at 1:00. There will be two divisions a Championship Flight and a Handicap Flight. The Championship Flight will tee off from the Blue Tees and will compete with gross scores only. The Handicap Flight will tee off from the White Tees for Men and the Red Tees for Women and will compete using both gross scores and net scores, with each team receiving 20% of their teams total handicap. The entry fee of $60 includes your golf, cart, prizes and a meal following play. Please call the golf shop at 564-4653 for more information or to sign up.

     Wednesday, April 7^th Men’s Night event was a 2-Man Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball. 1^st Place went to the team Tim Bloomquist and Doug Bakken blitzing the field with the low net total of 28. 2^nd Place went to Doug Sorenson and Chris Maki who teamed up to fire a net 31 winning a scorecard playoff over the team of Mark Anderson and Mark Schik, who also carded a 31. Pat Foss won a skin with a net 2 on hole #12, Mark Anderson won a skin with a net 2 on hole #15 and Tim Bloomquist carded a net 3 on the 18^th for a skin. The longest drive on hole #10 went to Doug Sorenson, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Tim Bloomquist and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Chris Maki. This week’s Men’s Night event will be 4-Man Scramble, and next week’s event will be Low Putts, plus Low Gross and Low Net. Remember everyone is always invited and welcome to participate in Men’s Night, we play 9 hole, starting with a shotgun start at 5:30, you are offered a reduced priced green fee to participate, we only ask that you sign up to play by 3:00 on Wednesday. Take one night of your week, join the boys, and have some fun for a couple hours each Wednesday!

     Thursday, April 8^th Ladies Night event was a 5-Lady Scramble. 1^st Place went to the team of Shelly Miller, Peg Heeren, Vera Staus, Karen Weappa and Barb Schleicher firing a 2-under par 34. I failed to mention a chip in last week by Vera Staus on the 7^th Hole winning the chip in pot. Closest to pin form off the green went to Shelly Miller, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Shelly Miller and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Brenda Keller. This week’s Ladies Night event will be Low Putts, plus Low Gross & Low Net and next week’s event will be a 4-Lady 2 Net Better Ball. Remember everyone is invited and welcome to participate on Ladies Night. We have a great group to play with and enjoy a night out with. Play each week begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm, with participants simply asked to please be signed up by 3:00 on Thursdays. We offer a reduced priced green fee and a special Ladies Night menu, also at a reduced price. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Get it in play by being smarter off the tee.

     Even with the added length of Augusta, many players were hitting 3 woods, hybrids and long irons off the tee. If the tour pros are hitting these clubs to stay in play on such a long golf course, it makes sense that us, none touring professionals should do the same. Even Phil Mickelson, who’s known for being a player that’s somewhat of a riverboat gambler, hitting driver almost exclusively, hit a few 3 woods of the tee. That could have played a big role in his becoming the 2010 Masters Champion. So, the main point of my tip today is play better golf by keeping your ball in play. I invite you all to call Brady Anderson, the new Teaching Professional here at Blueberry Pines. He is an experienced teacher and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing! If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson, PGA Professional, or Brady Anderson, the new Teaching Professional on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 4-5-10

     Our wonderfully warm spring weather seems to continue to hang around this week, what a bonus! This is a more typical time of season for the beginning of the golf season, after all it is Master’s week. The Masters is definitely my favorite professional golf tournament of the season, I like the fact they re-play the footage of each days play at night, plus it does generally signify the start of Spring. I hope you all had a fabulous Easter Weekend and I hope you all enjoy Masters week.

     With the earliest ever start to the season, it makes joining Blueberry Pines Golf Club as a Member an even better value for your golfing dollar. Membership rates are as follows: a full Single Membership is $875; a full Couple Membership is $1125; an 18 year old or younger Child of a Member is $50 each and a Child of a Non-Member age 18 and younger is $150; age 19-22 Child of a Member is $150 and the 19-22 Child of a Non-Member is $200. New this season we are offering age 23-30 Memberships, a Single would be $349 and a Couple would be $499. Plus remember we also offer Twilight Memberships which are valid after 3:00 pm daily, with a Single valued at $450 and a Couple is $575. I invite you all to consider joining Blueberry Pines Golf Club as a Member this season. Some of our Member benefits include full Single and Couple Members have the opportunity to join neighboring Park Rapids Golf Course, Headwaters Country Club, at the reduce rate of $300 plus tax. Plus all Blueberry Pines Members have the opportunity to create a Credit Book, which allows Members an opportunity to save 10% on all food and beverage purchases, plus they can also save 10% off most of the purchases they make in our Golf Shop. Blueberry Pines Members also receive a 30% discount off green fees when playing a local course that is a Member of the Minnesota Golf Trail including: Balmoral, Thumper Pond, Wildflower, Detroit Lakes CC, Perham Lakeside, Headwaters Country Club, Tianna and Longbow.

     We will continue offering reduced spring rates through May 13^th: 18 Holes walking is $30.00 per player; 18 Holes riding for one player is $45.00; for 2 or 3 players riding is $40.00 each; and for 4 or more players it is $35.00 each. Take advantage of these special rates by getting your 4-some back together and booking your tee times today.

     Wednesday, March 31^st Men’s Night event was Throw Out Your Worst 3 Holes allowing players 60% of their 9 hole handicaps. 1^st Place Low Gross went to 2009 Club Champion, Ron Litzau, after firing a 6 Hole Total of 21. 1^st Place Low Net, decided by scorecard playoff, went to Doug Sorenson scoring a net 18. 2^nd Place Low Net went to Mark Anderson who also finished with a net score of 18. Pat Foss won 3^rd Place Low Net with the net score of 19. 4^th Place Low Net went to Paul Haldorson carding the net score of 20. The longest drive on hole #1 went to Jim Wallace, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #8 went to Dale Kind and the longest putt on hole #9 went to Chris Maki. This week’s Men’s Night event will be 2-Man Low Net Best Ball, and next week’s event will be 4-Man Scramble. Men’s Night begins with a shotgun start at 5:30 pm. Players are asked to be signed up by 3:00 the day of the event. To participate in Men’s Night we charge an event fee of $8.00 which is paid back as $5.00 for the event and $3.00 for a skins game. Non-Members are always welcome and encouraged to attend for a reduced green fee of $12.00 for 9 holes and $8.00 for the cart fee. We will also offer an optional reduced priced meal or buffet in our lounge following play. Join the boys for some social fun, competition, great golf, wonderful food and fun festivities every Wednesday Night!

     Thursday, April 1^st Ladies Night event was a 2-Person Blind Draw Low Net Best Ball. 1^st Place went to the team of Amy Andersen and Joy Torvinen firing the low net score of 28. 2^nd Place went to Deen Swart and Vera Staus who combined for the net score of 29. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a 4-Lady Scramble and next week’s event will be Low Putts, plus Low Gross & Low Net. Ladies Night begins with at shotgun start at 5:30 pm. We ask all participants to please call by 3:00 on Thursday to sign up. To participate in Ladies Night we charge an event fee of $5.00 for the event payback. Non-Members are always welcome and encouraged to attend for a reduced green fee of $12.00 for 9 holes and $8.00 for the cart fee. We will also offer an optional reduced priced meal or buffet in our lounge following play. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Square the clubface at impact.

     Squaring the clubface at impact is essential to hitting the ball straighter. The handle or grip of your golf club should arrive at impact at approximately the same time as the clubface. The handle of the club arriving at impact to soon will generally result in a slice and the handle stopping prior to impact will generally result in a hook. Visualize and practice squaring the clubface at impact and you’ll hit straighter shots. I invite you all to call Brady Anderson, the new Assistant Professional here at Blueberry Pines. He is an experienced teacher and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing! If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson or Brady Anderson, the PGA Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 3-29-10

     March came in like a lamb and much to everyone’s surprise is also going out like a Lamb. Hopefully everyone out there is able to take advantage of this wonderful start to the Season. This upcoming weekend is Easter and I cannot remember to many Easter Sundays that the temperatures were approaching 60 degrees, like what is currently forecasted. So, I wish you all a Happy Easter and invite you all to spend a little time with us at Blueberry Pines Golf Course getting out with the family and/or friends to play a little golf.

     With the early start to the season, it makes joining Blueberry Pines Golf Club as a Member an even better value for your golfing dollar. Membership rates are as follows: a full Single Membership is $875; a full Couple Membership is $1125; an 18 year old or younger Child of a Member is $50 each and a Child of a Non-Member age 18 and younger is $150; age 19-22 Child of a Member is $150 and the 19-22 Child of a Non-Member is $200. New this season we are offering age 23-30 Memberships, a Single would be $349 and a Couple would be $499. Plus remember we also offer Twilight Memberships which are valid after 3:00 pm daily, with a Single valued at $450 and a Couple is

     We will continue offering reduced spring rates through May 13^th: 18 Holes walking is $30.00 per player; 18 Holes riding for one player is $45.00; for 2 or 3 players riding is $40.00 each; and for 4 or more players it is $35.00 each. Take advantage of these special rates by getting your 4-some back together and booking your tee times today.

Wednesday, March 24^th Men’s Night event was Individual Low Gross and Low Net. 1^st Place Low Gross went to Ken Mackley who started the season on fire carding a 38. 2^nd Place went to Ron Litzau with a 41. 1^st Place Low Net went to Pat Foss scoring a net 33. 2^nd Place Low Net went to Tim Bloomquist finishing with a net 34. The longest drive on hole #10 went to Doug Sorenson, closest to the pin from the tee on hole #17 went to Mike Novack and the longest putt on hole #18 went to Jim Novack. This week’s Men’s Night event will move back to the normal time of 5:30. Players are asked to be signed up by 3:00 the day of the event. To participate in Men’s Night we charge an event fee of $8.00 which is paid back as $5.00 for the event and $3.00 for a skins game. Non-Members are always welcome and encouraged to attend for a reduced green fee of $12.00 for 9 holes and $8.00 for the cart fee. We will also offer an optional reduced priced meal or buffet in our lounge following play. Join the boys for some social fun, competition, great golf, wonderful food and fun festivities every Wednesday Night!

     Thursday March 25^th Ladies Night event was cancelled due to the weather. This week’s Ladies Night event will be a Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball and will move back to its normal time of 5:30. We ask all participants to please call by 3:00 on Thursday to sign up. To participate in Ladies Night we charge an event fee of $5.00 for the event payback. Non-Members are always welcome and encouraged to attend for a reduced green fee of $12.00 for 9 holes and $8.00 for the cart fee. We will also offer an optional reduced priced meal or buffet in our lounge following play. Come on out and join the gals for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Spring is the time to make Swing Changes.

     The repetitiveness of a golf swing is muscle memory. Changes in your golf swing or in muscle memory are easier if made after a period of non-repetition, like winter. I invite you all to call Brady Anderson, the new Assistant Professional here at Blueberry Pines. He is an experienced teacher and would be Happy to help you build a new or better swing! If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson or Brady Anderson, the PGA Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 3-22-10

     Blueberry Pines Golf Course opened the golf course for the season a little early this year, as a matter of fact, this is the earliest open date ever! Officially it was St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17^th. Ah, those Irish eyes were smiling. The short-term forecast still looks pretty decent, so again, get ready, to get out, and take advantage of the nice early Spring weather. Call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (800)-652-4940 or (218)-564-4653 for more information.

     Support Blueberry Pines Golf Club and our community, by considering a membership at Blueberry Pines Golf Club. With the earliest ever Spring opening date it is looking like an even better value for your golfing dollar. Our promise to you is that Blueberry Pines Golf Club is committed to do what ever we can do for our Members, our guests and our customers, as well as for our community. And we humbly ask for your support,.to help us to succeed in this mission.

     We will be offering reduced spring rates through May 13^th: 18 Holes walking is $30.00 per player; 18 Holes riding for one player is $45.00; for 2 or 3 players riding is $40.00 each; and for 4 or more players it is $35.00 each. Take advantage of these special rates by getting your 4-some back together and booking your tee times today.

The golf course has come through winter in great shape. In fact it is pretty dry out there, other than hole #5, which is a little soggy. At least for now, the snow is gone and the golf is on, so take advantage!

     Despite several of the guys playing golf this past Wednesday, most where golfed out by Men’s Night, so we opted not to do an event this week. We are even planning a Men’s Night event for Wednesday, March 20^th. The event will be Individual Low Gross and Low Net. This special early in the year event will start at 5:00. Players are asked to be signed up by 3:00 the day of the event. To participate in Men’s Night we charge an event fee of $8.00 which is paid back as $5.00 for the event and $3.00 for a skins game. Non-Members are always welcome and encouraged to attend for a reduced green fee of $12.00 for 9 holes and $8.00 for the cart fee. We will also offer an optional reduced priced meal or buffet in our lounge following play. Join the boys for some social fun, competition, great golf, wonderful food and fun festivities every Wednesday Night!

     The Ladies did hold an event on Thursday, March 14^th. The event was Individual Low Gross and Low Net. Let’s just say Vera Staus and Joy Torvinen where both ready and raring for the golf season to begin as both Vera and Joy combined to clean up all the available prizes! Finishing in 1^st Place Low Gross was Vera Staus carding a 51, a very good round for her first round of the season and 1^st Place Low Net went to Joy Torvinen finishing with an outstanding net score of 31. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole #1 and the longest putt award on hole #9 both went to Joy Torvinen and the closest to the pin from the tee award on hole #8 went to Vera Staus. Next week’s event will be a 2-Lady Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball starting at 5:00. Please call by 3:00 on Thursday to sign up. To participate in Ladies Night we charge an event fee of $5.00 for the event payback. Non-Members are always welcome and encouraged to attend for a reduced green fee of $12.00 for 9 holes and $8.00 for the cart fee. We will also offer an optional reduced priced meal or buffet in our lounge following play. Come on out and maybe even take on Vera and Joy this week, while joining us for social fun, competition, 9 holes of golf, plus great food and fun festivities each and every Thursday Night!

     Tip of the Week: Practice, Practice, Practice!

     Golf is without a doubt a difficult game, but you know what they say, ultimate challenges bring ultimate rewards. To make the challenge a little easier, it is a good idea to practice as much as you possibly can. In this game the more you play, the better you will become, no doubt about it. If in doubt remember one more old saying, Practice makes Perfect! Good Luck and Good Golfing!! If you need more help with your golf game, please contact either Jim Carlson or Brady Anderson, the PGA Teaching Professionals on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.

Blueberry Notes by Jim Carlson - 3-15-10

     Blueberry Pines Golf Course is planning to swing open its golfing doors Wednesday, March 17^th. Our plans are to open the golf course as early as the course is playable to allow our patrons their earliest possible reprieve from winter. And right now it is looking like Wednesday is the day. The short-term forecast looks great, so get ready, to get out, and play some golf Minnesota. Call the Blueberry Pines Golf Shop at (800)-652-4940 or (218)-564-4653 for more information.

     We will be offering reduced spring rates through May 13^th: 18 Holes walking is $30.00 per player; 18 Holes riding for one player is $45.00; for 2 or 3 players riding is $40.00 each; and for 4 or more players it is $35.00 each. Take advantage of these special rates by getting your 4-some back together and booking your tee times today.

I am extremely happy to be back at Blueberry Pines for the upcoming 2010 season. Plus I look forward to doing my best to serve our area, our golf course and our golf club, to the best of my abilities in a new, more expanded role this season.

The grass appears to be in great condition under the good snow cover we received this past winter. The grounds crew has cleaned off our tees, greens and some approach areas to help aid the melting process. And the entire golf course appears to have come through winter in great shape.

     Plus I am excited to introduce Blueberry Pines’ New Assistant PGA Professional Brady Anderson. Brady started working this week and has recently moved into the Park Rapids area. Brady attended North Dakota State University and is a graduate of the Golf Academy of America located in Chandler, Arizona. His past experience includes working at Thumper Pond in Ottertail, MN, also at Greenfield Lakes Golf Club in Gilbert, Arizona and most recently at Forman Golf Course in Forman, ND. Brady also has some past Mini-Tour golf experience. I am very happy to have him as part of our team and would welcome you to stop out to meet him soon.

     We are even planning a Men’s Night event for Wednesday, March 13^th. The event will be a 2-Man Blind Partner Low Net Best Ball. This special early in the year event will start at 5:00. Players are asked to be signed up by 3:00 the day of the event. An event fee of $8.00 will be paid back as $5.00 for the event and $3.00 for a skins game. Non-Members are always welcome and are offered a reduced green fee of $12.00 for 9 holes and $8.00 for the cart fee. We will also offer an optional reduced priced meal or buffet in our lounge following play. Join us for the social fun, competition, great golf, food and festivities.

     There may even be a Ladies Night event Thursday, March 14^th. Call Thursday for more info. We would also like to thank all the players for their participation in our Women’s Winter Putting League.

     Tip of the Week: Start with some stretching.

     I know we’re all excited to get back in full swing, but best advise is to, always, stretch out good prior to playing. Take some slower, smoother swings prior to hitting those home runs. Good Luck and Good Golfing!! If you need more help with your golf game, please contact Jim the PGA Golf Professional on staff here at Blueberry Pines or call your local PGA Professional.