Construction Creates Challenges for Rush Creek Golf Club Patrons
The golf season may not go as smoothly for Rush Creek Golf Club regulars like Maple Grove High School golfer McKenna Hogan, who lives near the course.
“Oh, it was brutal, driving out of the way,” said Hogan of the drive to a tournament at the course on Tuesday. “Now it takes 15 minutes instead of five, so it’s really annoying.”
Road construction leading into and out of Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove may force people to drive out of the way to get to the club.
The delays and detours are part of the Hennepin County-city of Maple Grove construction project to rebuild County Highway 101, which runs along the course’s eastern boundary and is the main artery in and out of the sprawling golf complex. A section of 101 north of the entrance to the club is shut down. Once work is done there, a section immediately south of the club’s entrance will close for reconstruction.
“I don’t think you’ll talk to anybody who drives County 101 who doesn’t say it didn’t need it,” said Derek Stendahl, general manager of Rush Creek Golf Club. “It’s just one of those things that you have to deal with it while it’s being done, but once it’s done it’ll be worth it.”
Earlier this week, the Highlander Pub, the restaurant in the clubhouse, posted videos instructing customers that they were, in fact, still open for business.
Stendahl said any disruption to business so far this spring hasn’t been related to construction.
“I think Mother Nature is the only one halting some plans right now. We anticipate that will be changing here pretty quick,” he said.
Stendahl is happy with the club’s efforts to communicate with patrons and customers who may have events booked at the club or at the restaurant, Highlander Pub and Grill. He says he’s also pleased with the signage the city of Maple Grove provided to alert drivers of detours and the best ways to access the club.
“Eventually, (customers) will end up on our door step,” he said.
