Playing Favorites

Tom Dupont, owner, Tom Dupont & Associates, a marketing firm in Minneapolis

How often do you play? He tries to play at least once on the weekend, sometimes twice a week if he can.

Handicap: 15.

Favorite Courses

Twin Cities: The Minneapolis Golf Club. “It’s very, very playable day after day, week after week. That’s why it’s always a good place for me to entertain. It’s a great track—a very challenging, traditional course—and it’s a fun golf course.”

Greater Minnesota: He likes the Northland Country Club in Duluth, but also enjoys Windsong Farm in Maple Plain.

U.S. and beyond: “Like a lot of people, I try to get someplace every year in the winter.” He enjoys the two courses at The Gallery in Tucson, Arizona. “The designers have taken the topography of the canyons and foothills and put golf courses in them. It’s just gorgeous.”

Randy Darcy, executive vice president and chief technology officer, General Mills in Golden Valley

How often do you play? Two to three times a week during the summer. He also plays in the City League, a competitive group consisting of the top five players at 20 country clubs around the Twin Cities.

Handicap: 2 (at home course); 1.4 index.

Favorite Courses

Twin Cities: Windsong Farm and Olympic Hills Golf Club in Eden Prairie. He’s a member at both clubs.

Greater Minnesota: While he doesn’t play much in greater Minnesota, “the courses that I like the best are The Classic at Madden’s in Brainerd and the Troy Burne Golf Club in Hudson, Wisconsin.”

U.S. and beyond: Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, and Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey. “Whistling Straits is awesome in terms of the beauty. It’s right around the Great Lakes, with elevated views of water, and has tremendous elevation changes that pose difficult challenges. I like that.” He enjoys the history of Pine Valley and the tradition surrounding the exclusive course. “The course has a lot of character, and it’s a difficult course to get on to.”

Sue Fischer, attorney, Rider Bennett law firm in Minneapolis; president, Minnesota chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association

How often do you play? Two to three times a week.

Handicap: 13.

Favorite Courses

Twin Cities: “There are so many beautiful courses, we’re really lucky in the Twin Cities.” One of her favorites is Legends Golf Club in Prior Lake. “It’s well-maintained and has a variety in the layout, with the beautiful setting with woods, water, and wetlands. Its signature hole, number 13, is a par 3 right across the lake.”

Greater Minnesota: Willinger Golf Club in Northfield and Superior National in the Lutsen area, with its view of Lake Superior.

U.S. and beyond: A sentimental favorite—Lawsonia Golf Club in Green Lake, Wisconsin, an hour north of Milwaukee. “It’s special. I had my hole-in-one there, on hole 16 in 2004.”