Meadowlark Country Club is located on the southern edge of the city limits of Melrose, Minnesota. Melrose is the childhood home of my wife, and I have played at Meadowlark Country Club many times over the years. In this article, I am going to cover not only the layout of the course, but the unique sense of family that make up this and many other member owned, municipal or mom and pop operated 9-hole golf courses in Minnesota.
On the day in early May that I played Meadowlark Country Club most recently, my wife and I had made the trip for her to attend a family baby shower. I thought it would be nice to mix in some golf with my father-in-law one of my brothers-in-law and a couple of nephews. You know that you are either part of a large family or in a small town and maybe perhaps both when you arrive at the golf course with that many family members and you also discover upon check in at the Pro-shop that one of your nieces is working behind the counter that afternoon.
Melrose is similar to many small towns in Minnesota. The idyllic setting written about by Garrison Keillor in his series of books about fictional Lake Wobegon as well as the News from Lake Wobegon reported on his radio show A Prairie Home Companion. This is the type of place Keillor reminds us that this is where "the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average." Evidence was a sign on the first tee box requesting all groups to limit themselves to 5 players or less. I will also mention that even playing with a 5-some we completed 18-holes in 4 hours. Slow play should not be expected if you police yourself and play "ready-golf".
Melrose is about the midway point between St. Cloud and Alexandria on Interstate 94. This makes a great place to stop and take a break when traveling from the Twin Cities to parts farther north and west. And a 9-hole round of two hours or less can be a refreshing break to a long car trip.
Meadowlark Country Club plays to a par of 72 for 18-holes and measures 6,278 yards for the middle tees. There are no dramatic elevation changes but there are water hazards or sand traps that come into play on every hole. If the wind is blowing across the prairie from the west or northwest the course plays completely different and you definitely need to be absolutely sure of your club selection.
To play Meadowlark Country Club, call 320-256-4989 and ask the Pro-shop attendant on duty if you need a tee time that day. Many times in the middle of the week you can walk right on and virtually have the golf course to youself. This is a great stop to break up a roadtrip to Alexandria or parts farther north or west!
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Dana Buttenhoff is an avid golfer and a native Minnesotan. After 20 years of golf and traveling around the USA, Dana would like to share the golf gems rural Minnesota has to offer: http://www.minnesotaruralgolf.com
Take some fast corners to fun this summer with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone!
Looking for a summertime getaway with a difference? Opt for unrivalled speeds, thrilling competition and a buzz of excitement unlike any other - visit Silverstone's British Grand Prix this July.
Silverstone - originally a World War II airfield - is now recognised as one of the world's most famous motor-sport venues. Whilst it is both the birth place of British motor-sport and home of the British Grand Prix - a leading race in the F1 calendar - Silverstone is also one of the fastest circuits in the world - boasting speeds of over 180 mph!
Since 1948, crowds have flocked to Silverstone to witness its renowned motor racing events - and it's not hard to recognize reasons behind its acclaim. Silverstone's events - particularly the British Grand Prix - have long offered motor-sports enthusiasts a fantastic way to experience the exciting sport of motor racing, in one of the most iconic racing arenas in the world. And almost six decades later, the tradition continues. Motor-sport enthusiasts and adrenaline addicts alike can still experience the thrill that's at the heart of Silverstone, with the upcoming British Grand Prix in July.
While at the British Grand Prix, you'll be able to cheer on your favourite motor-sport racers, all the while experiencing the electric atmosphere of the Silverstone venue. And rest assured that the event will offer a perfect short break opportunity, whether you're planning to travel with friends, family or on your own.
However, given the popularity of this motor-sports event, your best option might be to book an all-inclusive travel package. Booking a short break package ensures entry into the event - something which might not always be guaranteed if you're attempting to book tickets separately. That's because while entry passes into major events can sell out quickly, tickets are still usually available through overnight or weekend-stay hotel and events packages. Travel packages offer value deals to Britain's Grand Prix event, meaning no one will have to miss out on the sporting fun this summer.
If you're planning a trip to see the British Grand Prix this July, you'll find a range of short break packages inclusive of entry into the event and accommodation in a hotel near Silverstone - so arranging the two most important aspects of your trip is easy. You can also usually arrange coach transfer between the hotel and the Grand Prix event within your travel package, making your sporting break in Silverstone all the more enjoyable.
So take those fast corners to fun this summer, and snatch up a short break package to the British Grand Prix - the rush awaits you in Silverstone!
Andrew Regan is an online, freelance journalist who lists travelling and rugby among his interests.
International Traval Tips
Seeing the United States can be fairly easy, but when traveling out of the country having some international travel tips can be the difference between soaking up the sun and sitting in interrogation rooms. Although there are certain things to be aware of in any country you visit, airline travel tips are also very important in our post 9/11 world.
Traveling within your own country is usually pretty simply, but when going abroad, a few international travel tips can help make your vacation much smoother. Even though every place you visit has its own unique quirks, a few travel tips, especially airline travel tips, ensure you aren't hassled unnecessarily.
While traveling can be a very rewarding experience, traveling can also become very tedious and stressful if you are not well prepared. However, these international travel tips and airline travel tips should help make your next international vacation go off without a hitch.
The best place to find airline travel tips is on the airline's website. The website will inform you of the airline's policies on beverages and other items that may be prohibited from taking aboard planes. Another airline travel tip that everyone should know about is that baggage handlers are not gentle with anyone's luggage, regardless if it is packed full of precious, fragile souvenirs or not. If you have anything you want to remain intact, it needs to be included in your carry-on luggage. Also, to speed the process getting through security checks, you will have to empty your pockets and make sure you don't have any metal on you, so pay attention to your wardrobe before you set off to the airport.
While there may still be an exception, most countries require you to have a passport before entering. You should have some photocopies of your passport with you, and also leave copies with friends and family members at home in case you get separated from your belongings. This is one international travel tip that should be part of everyone's traveling plan. If you are in a foreign country with no ID, an airline ticket won't do you much good, and neither will travelers checks. Although it is not frequent, people do occasionally get separated from their belongings while traveling. Having a backup plan will ensure that your international vacation doesn't turn into a nightmare.
One great resource for international travel tips is the Lonely Planet series. Lonely Planet has a detailed guidebook for just about every destination you can imagine. For example, if you wanted some travel tips for Italy, the Lonely Planet book on Italy would give you detailed information about each town, neighboring tourist attractions, places to stay and places to eat. Although the Lonely Planet book that offers travel tips for Italy doesn't cover each and every hole in the wall restaurant, it gives you a good idea what there is do in each town, popular destinations and day trips, as well as painting an overall picture of the atmosphere you'll encounter there. The Lonely Planet books also include city maps and are updated often enough to keep them accurate.
For international travel tips specific to your journey, check out the Lonely Planet series. Lonely Planet is a collection of guidebooks that give a detailed look at nearly every country you can think of. They even have some books that are focused on particular regions of countries. Say you were going to Rome and needed some travel tips for Italy, there would definitely be a Lonely Planet book for Italy, but there may also be a separate book for southern Italy, or even Rome, since it is such a huge attraction. The Lonely Planet books are all encompassing and provide lists of restaurants, motels, attractions, and possible day trips, which are usually organized by price range. Lonely Planet books give detailed information on transportation as well. Whether you need travel tips for Italy or anywhere else, Lonely Planet books are an excellent resource.
If you know where you want to go, one of the best sources for international travel tips is the Lonely Planet books. These books give an objective viewpoint of attractions in various countries and regions around the world. These books tell you about fun activities and gorgeous scenery, but they do not hype up locations. They simply let you know what to expect, and in some cases, will even include hotel and restaurant owners' names. For example, if you needed some travel tips for Italy, you could look in the Lonely Planet book for Italy and get an overview of each town. It would tell you what the attractions are, a brief history, as well as places to stay and eat. In addition to travel tips for Italy, this book could help you set a very accurate budget for your vacation.
No matter what destination has peaked your interest, gathering some general international travel tips, as well as information about your destination, will make your vacation much more enjoyable.
Regardless of where your next vacation takes you, finding out as much about your destination and gathering as many international travel tips as possible will keep you from getting stressed out.
Wherever you're going on your next vacation, these international travel tips should help immensely. However, learning as much as possible about your destination will help you enjoy your vacation instead of being faced with surprises.
David Odell is the owner of:
Travel - Know How Pages
