Keller Golf Course
Encyclopedia
The Keller Golf Course is a classic parkland golf course in Saint Paul, Minnesota
, USA. The course is historically significant for its long association with the early days of professional golf; it hosted the PGA Tour
's St. Paul Open from 1930 to 1968; two majors, the 1932 and 1954 PGA Championship
s; the 1949 Western Open
(a near-major at the time), and in the 1970s, the LPGA Tour's Patty Berg Classic
.
and is open to the public. It is named for Herbert Keller, a St. Paul politician who was instrumental in building the golf course in 1929.
Paul Coates, a Ramsey County civil engineer, designed the course and supervised its construction. Prior to beginning, Coates used his personal vacation to visit some of America's great golf courses, such as Pinehurst
, to learn the basics of course architecture. Despite its lack of designer "pedigree," Keller is among the most distinguished courses in the Twin Cities, and is known for its creative, strategic use of rolling terrain.
The course continues to host Minnesota Golf Association and regional United States Golf Association
tournaments and qualifying events. At 6,650 yards, one might expect the course would yield low scores to today's long hitters. However, even the area's best amateurs rarely "go low." Winning scores for regional events typically hover around 68 or 69.
Weather-permitting, the course superintendent is known for maintaining firm greens, in contrast to many heavily watered public courses. Good players, in particular, appreciate the strategic value in playing to greens that will not accept just any shot, and put a premium on the player's shot-making skill.
The Keller Men's Club (250 members) and Ladies' Club (175 members) are very active, and hold many club events and tournaments throughout the summer. There is routinely a waiting list of several years for Men's Club membership.
The elegant clubhouse, designed by locally significant architect Cap Wigington, is rich in golf history and atmosphere. Photos of every professional golfer who won at Keller are displayed on the walls. The list includes eight male and four female Hall of Fame honorees.
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, USA. The course is historically significant for its long association with the early days of professional golf; it hosted the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
's St. Paul Open from 1930 to 1968; two majors, the 1932 and 1954 PGA Championship
PGA Championship
The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship...
s; the 1949 Western Open
Western Open
The Western Open, a professional golf tournament, was first played in 1899. At the time of its 2006 playing, the Western Open was the 3rd oldest active PGA Tour tournament, after the British Open and U.S. Open...
(a near-major at the time), and in the 1970s, the LPGA Tour's Patty Berg Classic
Patty Berg Classic
The Patty Berg Classic was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1973 to 1980. It was played at the Keller Golf Course in St. Paul, Minnesota.-Winners:Patty Berg Golf Classic*1980 Beth DanielPatty Berg Classic*1979 Beth Daniel*1978 Shelley Hamlin...
.
History
The course is owned and operated by Ramsey CountyRamsey County, Minnesota
Ramsey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, founded in 1849. As of 2010, the population was 508,640. Its county seat is St. Paul, which is also Minnesota's state capital. The county is named for Alexander Ramsey , the first governor of the Minnesota Territory...
and is open to the public. It is named for Herbert Keller, a St. Paul politician who was instrumental in building the golf course in 1929.
Paul Coates, a Ramsey County civil engineer, designed the course and supervised its construction. Prior to beginning, Coates used his personal vacation to visit some of America's great golf courses, such as Pinehurst
Pinehurst Resort
Pinehurst Resort is a historic upmarket golf resort at Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA. It has hosted a number of prestigious golf tournaments.-History:...
, to learn the basics of course architecture. Despite its lack of designer "pedigree," Keller is among the most distinguished courses in the Twin Cities, and is known for its creative, strategic use of rolling terrain.
The course continues to host Minnesota Golf Association and regional United States Golf Association
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the Rules of Golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system...
tournaments and qualifying events. At 6,650 yards, one might expect the course would yield low scores to today's long hitters. However, even the area's best amateurs rarely "go low." Winning scores for regional events typically hover around 68 or 69.
Weather-permitting, the course superintendent is known for maintaining firm greens, in contrast to many heavily watered public courses. Good players, in particular, appreciate the strategic value in playing to greens that will not accept just any shot, and put a premium on the player's shot-making skill.
The Keller Men's Club (250 members) and Ladies' Club (175 members) are very active, and hold many club events and tournaments throughout the summer. There is routinely a waiting list of several years for Men's Club membership.
The elegant clubhouse, designed by locally significant architect Cap Wigington, is rich in golf history and atmosphere. Photos of every professional golfer who won at Keller are displayed on the walls. The list includes eight male and four female Hall of Fame honorees.
Major championships
| Tournament | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1932 PGA Championship 1932 PGA Championship The 1932 PGA Championship was a golf competition held at Keller Golf Course. The competition was won by Olin Dutra.... |
Olin Dutra |
| 1949 Western Open | Sam Snead Sam Snead Samuel Jackson Snead was an American professional golfer who was one of the top players in the world for most of four decades. Snead won a record 82 PGA Tour events including seven majors. He failed to win a U.S... |
| 1954 PGA Championship 1954 PGA Championship The 1946 PGA Championship was a golf competition held at Keller Golf Course. Chick Harbert won the championship.... |
Chick Harbert |
St. Paul Open
| Year | Champion | Year | Champion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Harry Cooper | 1950 | Jim Ferrier | |
| 1931 | Horton Smith | 1951 | LLoyd Mangrum | |
| 1932 | PGA Championship | 1952 | Carry Middlecoff | |
| 1933 | Jim Foulis | 1953 | Shelley Mayfield | |
| 1934 | Johnny Revolota | 1954 | PGA Championship | |
| 1935 | Harry Cooper | 1955 | Tommy Bolt | |
| 1936 | Harry Cooper | 1956 | Mike Souchak | |
| 1937 | Sam Snead | 1957 | Ken Venturi | |
| 1938 | Johnny Revolta | 1958 | Mike Souchak | |
| 1939 | Dick Metz | 1959 | No Tournament | |
| 1940 | Porky Oliver | 1960 | Don Fairfield | |
| 1941 | Horton Smith | 1961 | Don January | |
| 1942 | Chick Harbert | 1962 | Doug Sanders | |
| 1943 | No Tournament, WWII | 1963 | Jack Rule | |
| 1944 | No Tournament, WWII | 1964 | Chuck Courtney | |
| 1945 | Dutch Harrison | 1965 | Ray Floyd | |
| 1946 | Henry Ransom | 1966 | Bobby Nichols | |
| 1947 | Jim Ferrier | 1967 | No Tournament | |
| 1948 | Jimmy Demeret | 1968 | Dan Sikes | |
| 1949 | Western Open |
Patty Berg Classic
| Year | Champion | Year | Champion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Sandra Palmer | 1977 | Bonnie Lauer | |
| 1974 | Joanne Carner | 1978 | Shelly Hamlin | |
| 1975 | Joann Washam | 1979 | Beth Daniel | |
| 1976 | Kathy Whitworth | 1980 | Beth Daniel |
Amateur championships
| Tournament | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1932 USGA Public Links | Charles Ferarra |