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With every 40 degree day, with every snow flake that falls to the ground, the pressure mounts for Brian Brown. After months of waiting, all the new Chisago Lakes Golf Course Superintendent wants to do is work, that is if the weather lets him. After all, he has a lot of work to do.

Brown, who replaced former course superintendent Dave Zimmer in October, has been developing his game-plan since first golfing the course last year. His findings, coupled with course general manager Todd Kueppers’ vision, will be put to the test starting this spring.

“My first impression after I played it was that it was a fun course, it had great potential, but it wasn’t meeting that potential,” remembered Brown. “I felt it was coming up short from where I thought it could be. So, I started to form an idea, a plan, on what we needed to do to improve the course.”

Improving the course is the number one goal.

“Brian is experienced in golf course construction, so you may see the addition of tee boxes and bunkers at the course,” said Kueppers. “Don’t worry, the goal is not to make the course harder, but a little more interesting and pleasing to the eye.”

If his resume has anything to say about it, Brown seems to be the man for the job. Brown comes to Lindstrom after spending the last four years at Ferndale Country Club in Rushford, Minnesota. Ferndale is a nine hole course where, according to Kueppers, “It has been known as one of the top nine hole courses in the state for its layout and quality conditioning.” Prior to Ferndale, Brown spent time at Silver Springs Golf Course, Eagle Trace Golf Course, Pebble Creek Golf Course, and Baker National.

“One of the big things about Brian is that he can do a lot of the work himself, he has a background in construction and renovation,” remarked Kueppers. “Fixing tee boxes, bunkers, he can do all of that himself. Again, the goal is not to make the course harder, but we want to enhance the course’s stature and the take the next step to becoming one of the top public golf courses in the area.”

“I think it’s all about paying attention to detail,” said Brown. “All of the little things as far as maintaining the course at a high level and keeping it consistent.”

“It’s greens, tees and fairways. That’s what people want to see,” continued Kueppers. “That’s what golfers are looking for. They want to see the course in good condition and that’s going to be our first order of business. People definitely notice that kind of thing.”

So that begs the question, when will people notice? Brown believes his mark on the course will be evident right away.

“I think golfers will start seeing changes pretty quick,” commented Brown. “They’ll see projects going on constantly. I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised with what they see even this year.”

Golfers will soon get their chance. The Chisago Lakes Golf Course is hoping to open its doors as soon as next week depending on the weather.

Let the game begin.

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