Posted: 7/3/02

Chomonix moves to higher ground

Branden Peterson
Sports Intern

At 5:30 a.m., Superintendent Greg Iden isn't too excited to see the parking lot of his golf course bustling with golfers unpacking their golf bags and lacing up their shoes.

If only they could wait a few minutes.

But with the sun barely poking its orange glow over the eastern horizon, its time to get his crew of yawning teenagers on their mowers. They need to get a head start on the golfers who just hit their drives off the first tee box.

Many in the business would say it comes with the territory. But when Chomonix Golf Course in Lino Lakes made a monumental commitment to improvement in 1995, Iden was just as excited to see the finished project as his golfers.

Now seven years later, the course is finally getting the rewards of a major reconstruction project.

ìThe golfers won with this project. This gave them a more playable surface, and it's just great.î He said.

Chomonix was built in the 1970's as a nine-hole private facility playing through thick forest, green prairies, and alongside a lake. Wildlife became a key trademark, when a round would often include a peak at deer, fox, or possibly even a moose.

After only a few years in existence, Anoka County Parks and Recreation purchased Chomonix and in 1985 expanded the course to 18 holes.

However, after years of complaints and lost business as a cause of swampy grounds, outdated utilities, and poor management, Chomonix decided to upgrade.

Making a Move

With the help of golf course aficionado Joel Grandstrand and David Kirsch Associates, Chomonix went to work on a $1.3 million dollar project to raise four fairways, and add or remodel seven ponds as well as 19 tee boxes. The project moved 95,000 cubic yards of soil.

Two years later, a half-million dollar project expanded the clubhouse with a goal of creating a solid "operating plant."

In 1999, remodeling plans turned around an uninviting golf range, literally.

After flipping the layout and adding a new tee, golfers can get in a few swings while on their lunch break. A strong response from the public encouraged Chomonix to pave a new parking lot for the practice facility as well.

Another project sprang up last year, as Chomonix was the benefactor of state law. Ryan Companies, an active commercial builder in the area, needed to replace wetlands they were destroying with the development of new business in Lino Lakes. After proposing a joint project between Rehbein Co. contractors and Ryan Co. on Chomonix's land, two additional fairways were reconstructed.

Meanwhile, the two month project made seven wetlands. In all 13,000 square yards of soil was shifted, as plants, grasses, and sod grew to greatly improve fairways 8 and 9 from the formerly boggy conditions.

Even better, Anoka County didn't pay a penny for the improvements.

Now the test, how will the golf course play.

A Pleasant Surprise

Even after the heavy rains of last week, Chomonix struggled with the best golf courses in the area to handle the high water content. I've played a few of the top courses in the state, and also some of the worst.

As a first time player of Chomonix, I was impressed with well maintained bentgrass greens, manicured trees that offer challenges just outside fairways, and well groomed tee boxes.

I also didn't mind seeing a deer leap across the fairway and on into the forest.

"My staff has been really good." Superintendent Greg Iden said. "We've built a system that works really well, and things are getting easier and easier all the time."

The system must work. The support of Anoka County Parks and Recreation and Chomonix's staff provide a commitment to improve, to grow, and to maintain the best standards their golf course can produce.

"We've really made a great improvement," Golf Professional Bill Hauck said. "I can't say enough. It's incredible."

Not only does Chomonix's staff realize the improvement the course has made, but the Minnesota State Park and Recreation Association awarding Anoka County with its annual award of excellence.

"We think we have a great facility now," Anoka County Parks and Recreation Director Jon VanDeLinde said. "It's off the beaten trail, but people are beginning to know what we have now."

Affordable

For $25, golfers can play 18- holes anytime Monday-Thursday. $17 will buy nine holes.

On the weekend, rates increase to $27 for 18, but nine holes remains at $17.

Tee times can be made by phone, or by making a tee time online at

www.chomonixgolf.com.

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