It's getting to be that time of year - another indication that a summer season is coming to close at Northland. The pool at the club is scheduled to close on Monday, September 7.
Do you have a trophy of some sort you'd like to contribute to the NCC Women's 1-Club Tournament? It seems as if the previous trophy has gone missing, with some thinking it might have been more suitable for the trash heap.
Business Jet Traveler magazine is publishing an article about Northland Country Club in its next issue; the article is written by Bradley Klein, senior writer for GolfWeek magazine, who recently visited the course for the second time in just over a year. As you'll see and read, Klein has some very nice things to say about Northland.
Despite the blustery conditions, everyone agreed it was a great day on a great golf course. This was the final stop for the society members on their outing in Minnesota - members played earlier in the week in the Twin Cities at Woodhill, Minikhada and White Bear Lake.
Northland congratulates Ross Society member David Jongleux of Indiana for his hole-in-one on the fifth hole during today's competition. The par 3 was playing just 118 yards today, but with a northwest wind gusting to 20 miles per hour or more, most players, including Jongleux, were hitting an 8-iron from the right-side tee box.
During the pre-banquet festivities, Northand Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh, (second from left above) was rewarded for his low-net score of 71 in the competition. It was generally agreed that today's pin positions presented Chris with an unfair advantage...but he accepted the accolades and prize money, nevertheless. Chris is standing next to Ross Society President Gerry Stratford (in plaid vest) who was extremely complimentary of Northland and the other Ross-designed courses in Minnesota during his comments to the dinner guests.
Northland thanks all members of the society who traveled great lengths to be with us for three days. This really is quite an honor and something for which we should be extremely proud. Our membership has embraced the Ross Society by becoming active members of the organization. To learn more about the group - and, to become a member - here's a link to the society website. We urge you to consider becoming one of the 500 plus members of this great group dedicated to honoring the memory of Donald Ross.
For the fourth time in six years, Canada has claimed the Can-Am Cup trophy from the American team in the annual fall competition held at Northland Country Club.
One of the largest gatherings of Northland members for a Fabulous Friday party was held tonight; the party originally scheduled for a pool party was moved indoors because of the change in weather, but hundreds turned out anyway.
Members of the Donald Ross Society will be among the attendees tonight at the Fabulous Friday party as the group begins its first-ever visit to Northland.
With falling temperatures in the forecast for today, the decision has been made to move tonight's scheduled Fabulous Friday indoors. The Rock 'n Roll Rib Fest, featuring music by "Rough Roads" will be held in the ballroom, with the social hour beginning at 6:30, followed by dinner service beginning at 7:00.
The annual Northland Caddie Banquet was held tonight - a chance for the young men and women who provide their services through the year to be recognized for their efforts and contributions.
Each season, an award is presented to one of the caddies for outstanding service - this year's Caddie of the Year Award was presented to Cale Carlin. The 16-year old is completing his 5th year of service at Northland. Cale, who will be a junior at East High School, is shown with Caddie Master Dan Mosley, who leaves Northland tomorrow for his senior year of college. Cale is active in sports, playing hockey, soccer and golf.
If asked, many of you would probably be able to list a number of tasks required to groom golf course playing surfaces. One task of which you may not be aware is that of brooming. Brooming is just what the name says, the pulling of a broom over the turf before mowing. Brooming, in one form or another, has been around since the very beginning of turfgrass management. Early greenkeepers on the links of the UK used handmade brooms to remove worm castings and work topdressing into the canopy of the soil. While brooming on golf courses is far from a new practice its use in grooming playing surfaces has really began to gain popularity in the last decade. 
A story highlighting Northland's efforts to inform members through this blog site and our Facebook page appeared in a recent issue of a national magazine. A call this morning from a private club in Connecticut reminded us that we neglected to post a link to the article in the July issue of Club & Resort Business. You can read the entire story here.
Northland congratulates the members of the Spunky Ladies - the winners of Northland's version of the Solheim Cup played yesterday.
Mark your calendar for the return of the popular Happy Hour schedule at Northland. The twice-weekly specials on food and beverage return on Wednesday and Thursday, beginning on September 9-10.
Sunday marks the end of the club championship calendar at Northland with the Mr. & Mrs. Club Champions to be determined.
Northland Country Club is pleased to announce that Clint Johnson has accepted the position as new Food & Beverage Manager at the club, succeeding Josh Stotts, who recently accepted a position at the Kitchi Gammi Club.
Clint has a 20-year history with Northland, beginning as a caddie at age 13. Can you name the Northland member pictured with Clint in the photo on the right?
The final schedule of events has been completed for the visit of members of the Donald Ross Society the weekend of August 28-30, and it's hoped Northland members will take part in some - if not all - of the activities.
The next Fabulous Friday party will be held on August 28. This is the rescheduled "Rock & Roll Rib Fest" that was canceled in July because of poor weather. The party will be held at the pool.
Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh has posted some new updates on his blog - he's also included some new photos like the one above of a gorgeous sunrise.
Over 200 people were on hand this morning to see Chuck "The Hit Man" Hiter perform his amazing tricks with golf clubs and a wide assortment of other devices. He's seen in the photo during one of his balancing shots.
This is quite a week for Northland members attending and working at the PGA Championship at Hazeltine. Club members will marshal the par 3 - 8th hole.
The five-day period from Wednesday thru Sunday set a new traffic record for viewers of the Northland blog, with 2,759 page views. Traffic was highest on Friday with 733 site visits, followed by the 610 hits on Sunday. Volume is also up so far today from a normal Monday.
Northland members get quite a treat this morning - weather permitting. The famed "Hit Man" will put on a golf exhibition at 10am for all members. There is no charge to watch Guinness World Record holder Chuck "The Hit Man" Hiter as he dazzles the crowed with his unique show of athleticism and amazing array of trick shots.
Hiter's visit to Northland is courtesy of SMDC's Legacy of Hope tournament which will take place today with a shotgun start at Noon. The golf course will be closed for member play until 6pm. The tournament is always one of the largest outside events of the season.
The 84th Northland Invitational Golf Tournament is in the record books - Dan Moline came from behind to beat Ray Peterson on the 19th hole of their sudden death playoff. Earlier in the day, Peterson had gone 20 holes with Dan Luther to get into the finals.
Peterson, shown getting ready to hit his approach shot to #16 from near the woods on the right hand side of the fairway, had a 1-up lead at the time, fighting back from three down at one point. Peterson's shot was long, but he was able to get up and down for four. Moline hit his approach from 120 yards to just above the hole but missed the 10 foot birdie putt.
On #17, Peterson's tee shot came up short. Moline hit his tee shot in the front right bunker. Moline was first to play and was able to get up and down for this three. Peterson's chip came up about 7 feet short, but he was able to make the putt to halve the hole and went to 18 still 1-up.
Peterson split the fairway with his drive on #18, but left himself just under 200 yards to the hole. Moline hit one of his longest drives of the day, outdriving Peterson by nearly 80 yards. Peterson's approach came up short. Moline his approach to the green and is seen in the photo running up the hill to the green to mark his ball. Peterson lost the hole and it was on to sudden death.
Both players hit decent drives at #1. From about 150 yards out in the middle of the fairway, Moline was first to play and hit his shot fat, leaving him with a third shot to the green. Peterson was able to hit his approach to the back left of the green, leaving him with about 35 feet. Moline's third shot ended up just below the hole, about 8 feet away to save his par.
We're down to four semi-finalists in the Championship Division of the 84th Northland Invitational Golf Tournament. The four will begin their matches at 8:10 Sunday morning.
The photo above was taken at about 7:50 this morning, just 10 minutes before the start of play today in the 84th Northland Invitational Golf Tournament.
In today's matches, Duke Skorich (2005 champion) beat David Gaddie 1-up, and will play Bill Riddering - who beat Stan Herman 1-up - in the first of tomorrow's semi-final matches.
Play in the quarter-finals of the Championship Division began at 12:30 this afternoon. The group of eight features 2006 Invitational Champion Dan Moline, who is playing Shane Johnson in the set's second pairing.
The pairings are set for Saturday play in the 84th Northland Invitational Golf Tournament. Only one former champion is still in contention - Dan Moline will face off Saturday against Northland member Shane Johnson.
What a party to remember......
The 84th Northland Invitational participants will remember this night. Fabulous food and great entertainment provided just the right mix for a party for the tournament participants and their guests who attended tonight's affair.
We'll post the results from the Championship Division later tonight - we'll also have photos of tonight's dinner & entertainment later tonight on our Facebook page.
The final pairings have been set for the championship flights in the regular and senior divisions of the Northland Invitational.....complete pairing sheets are available at the pro shop.
The first round of the 84th playing of the Northland Invitational is still underway as of this writing - a four man playoff for the final spot in the regular division is being held before the final 32 players are set for the Championship Flight.
Ross Prachar - who has spent the summer season working in the pro shop - opened play today with an even par 71 to claim medalist honors. A trio of players opened with one over 72's today, including former Invitational winners Dan Moline and Reed Kolquist. Kolquist is fresh off his victory last week at the Arrowhead Invitational. Also opening with a 72 today was Ray Peterson.
In the Senior Division, Jim Abelsen led the way with a 74. Abelsen won the senior crown two years ago. But, the story of the day in the senior group might very well have been the 75 shot by Jerry Whalen of Edina Country Club....Whalen is 75 years old. It's not every day someone shoots their age at Northland, yet alone during qualifying day at the Invitational.
