Host Your Corporate Event at the St. Cloud Country Club

The sub-zero chills of Winter are only now beginning to sink in. ‘Tis the season to hunker down indoors with a good book and sip something hot from a mug, which is fine in your down time, but what about while you’re at the office? The dreary days of Winter will be with us for some time yet, and it’s hard enough to engage everyone at an office meeting or plan an exciting event.

At the St. Cloud Country Club, we offer so much more than just great golf. Our food, facility, and beautiful views make it the perfect destination for corporate events or meetings. If you’re looking to add a little something extra to your workplace meetings or gatherings (at any time of the year), the Country Club is the perfect place.

Exceptional Food from Experienced Chefs

An important aspect of any successful meeting is the food. Sure, you could provide the usual stale bagels and bitter coffee, or you could let our experienced chefs provide a mouth-watering meal for you and your colleagues. Head Chef Norm Maish and Assistant Chef Jasen Merkel can whip up a variety of dishes to please any crowd. Check out your menu options here.

Space for Any Sized Group

Whether you’re hosting a few coworkers from the office or collaborating colleagues from around the state, we have the space and functionality to accommodate. We can even provide you with professional event coordinators if you are really looking to impress your crowd. And since we are located just off of Highway 75 and are a stone’s throw away from I-94, our location is simple to find for guest from out of town. Get directions here.

Picturesque Views

Phrases like “just off the river” and “picturesque views” might seem cliche, but they’re true. Winter views at our country club are just as breath-taking as they are in the summer. Voted a vendor of Distinction by the Central Minnesota Wedding Association in 2014, 2015, and 2016, your guests won’t forget their visit. Just remember to invite them back for a round of golf in the Spring, once all the snow melts!

A Quiet, Relaxing Atmosphere

Our staff is courteous and diligent, our views are beautiful, and the atmosphere is calming and relaxing. Get away from the screeching cars and constant noises of the city and concentrate on what matters to you and your group. You’ll find the accommodations you need without the added distractions at our venue.

St. Cloud Country Club is one of the area’s best event venues for a reason. If you don’t believe us, take it from some of our happy customers.

If you want more information on hosting an event at the St. Cloud Country Club, Contact Paige Bremer to inquire about open dates.

Join The Winter Celebrations at St. Cloud Country Club

Looking for a new way to celebrate the Holidays with your family this season? At the St. Cloud Country Club, we will be hosting some special events to ring in the season. Take a look below, and make sure to add these winter celebrations to your holiday calendar:

Santa Brunch

Sunday, December 11th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Open to public with reservation

For an exceptional morning treat, bring the whole family to the St. Cloud Country Club for our Santa Brunch. Serving hearty American breakfast classics with some special holiday touches, the St. Cloud Country Club welcomes all–even Santa–to start the Christmas celebrations early! Call 320-253-1331 ext. 102 to reserve your spot.

Pajamas & Pancakes Holiday Party

Saturday, December 17th, Members and Guests only,
$12 per gingerbread house and $6.95 per person for the buffet

Are you ready to celebrate Christmas morning a week early? Join us for our Pajamas and Pancakes party. In addition to our pancakes breakfast buffet, check out the deliciously decadent hot chocolate bar. Are you yearning to get a little creative with your gingerbread house this year? Bring the family to create some delicious and not-at-all nutritious memories together building a gingerbread house. Guests are invited to wear pajamas and are encouraged to bring a gift to donate to Toys for Tots. Reservations are also required.

New Year’s Eve Dinner

Saturday, December 31st, Open to the public with a reservation

Looking for a place to enjoy the last meal of the year? Join the St. Cloud Country Club to ring in 2017 with a New Year’s Eve dinner. Bring the family and share your favorite memories of 2016 along with your New Year’s reservations and wishes for 2017!


Contact the club office Monday through Friday from 8:30 Am to 4:30 PM to learn more information and get reservations for any of our upcoming holiday events. You can also follow our Facebook Page to learn about events and updates at the Country Club this Winter!

Why Do Leaves Change Their Colors?

October brings a variety of colors to Central Minnesota, especially along the Mississippi river. We are fortunate to have some of the most impeccable views on our course because of our location. The leaves change from green to red to orange and finally yellow before they cascade down to the ground. This is a stunning time of year, but have you ever asked yourself why the leaves change color like they do?

The scientific reason as to why leaves change isn’t certain, but we know the basics.

It all breaks down to a few different chemicals and proteins found within a leaf’s structure. As you may remember from biology class, chlorophyll (which is necessary for photosynthesis in plants) gives leaves their rich green color. Carotenoids are the dominant pigment found in fall leaves and produce yellow colors in other plants, such as bananas, daffodils, and carrots. Anthocyanins, which give organisms their red color, are also triggered in leaf cells during autumn. Anthocyanins are also found in apples, strawberries, blueberries, and cherries.

Chlorophylls and carotenoids are present in the leaf’s cells during the growing season, but it is not until the fall when anthocyanins (the red colors) form within the cell. Anthocyanins are often produced as a result of bright light and an excess of sugar within the leaf’s cells.

When the days shorten and the daylight dwindles in the beginning of Autumn, the veins of a leaf begins to become clogged by cells and trap sugars that promote the production of anthocyanins. As the green colors fade away, the yellows and oranges begin to peek through. Anthocyanins, which produce bright red colors, begin to come through after the sugars start to get trapped within the leaf cells. As soon as the all of the connection tissues are sealed and the leaf has completed its metamorphosis of color, it then falls to the ground.

Central Minnesota has some of the most vibrant colors in the fall, especially along our golf course along the Mississippi river. Now that you know why we get to see these magnificent colors, be sure to stop by St. Cloud Country Club for a round to see the color-changing for yourself!

Wedding Themes that are Perfect for Fall

Are you in the middle of planning a fall wedding? Well, congratulations! As the leaves turn and the weather cools down, autumn makes for the perfect time to share vows. Find inspiration in the beautiful shades of the season, and relish in the warmth and comfort of the season. Explore some of the themes below for some wedding inspiration:

Back-to-School

Whether you are both teachers, met on the school playground, or share a deep love of literature, a back-to-school theme could be an A+ idea! You could take this idea literally and add accessories that play off pencils, chalkboards, and cherry red apples to take it back to the classroom, or you could find inspiration from your favorite books. Are you Harry Potter fans? Throw a Hogwarts-inspired wedding with wands, robes, and potion bottles. More of a Tolkien fan? Have your wedding party and guests decked out in hobbit and elf ensembles. The possibilities are endless!

Harvest

For a more toned down celebration, take advantage of the full beauty of Fall with a harvest wedding. Infuse your wedding venue and reception with hay bales, pumpkins and gourds, wildflowers, and cozy elements. You can easily incorporate rustic and country elements for a romantic flair. Serve heart-warming comfort foods as appetizers and serve warm apple cider to really bring out the best of this season.

Halloween

For fans of this late fall celebration, why not go all out? Incorporate a black and red theme for gothic and vampy vibes. Schedule a zombie-themed engagement photo session. Go playful with orange, greens, and purple for a kid-friendly event. Play up these themes with whimsical candles and sophisticated versions of Halloween décor for a spooky and romantic affair. Take inspiration from The Nightmare Before Christmas for a fun, pop culture-infused celebration!

Earthy and Inspired

With the beauty of the season, take inspiration from the great outdoors! Infuse earthy elements like pinecones, cranberries, and mosses for nature-inspired décor. Choose earthy autumnal shades for your wedding colors, like burgundy, maroon, purple, orange, and gold. Incorporate soft amber lights to let the textures and warm colors of the season shine. Use the changing of the colors for truly beautiful and memorable wedding pictures.


Whatever theme you choose for your upcoming nuptials, get inspired by the season, and let the St. Cloud Country Club help you plan the wedding of your dreams. For more information, reach out to the St. Cloud Country Club for a beautiful and stress-free wedding.

Before you Swing: Preparing for a Round of Golf

No matter the sport, all athletes go through a pre-game warm-up to enhance their ability; no one hops out of bed ready to perform. Taking the time to warm-up before a round of golf gives you a chance to prepare your body and your game for what's to come.

Different golfers have different routines when it comes to starting a round of golf. Below, we have listed a few important pre-game rituals for you to incorporate before you start your next round:

Stretch Out

Stretching is an important part of any form of physical activity. The importance of stretching comes from warming up your muscles and getting them loose and flexible for the upcoming workout. Five minutes of warm-up stretches can prevent pain and will benefit you in the long run. For a few examples, check out this list of different stretches from the Mayo Clinic that will improve your performance.

Warm-up Your Putter

One of the major mistakes that amateur golfer make is not arriving on the green early enough to practice and warm-up. It’s important to put in that time. Make sure you get to the course early so you won’t feel rushed. You don’t need to spend the entire time at the driving range, either. Practice a few putting techniques on the putting green before you start on the bigger swings. Not only will practicing before a round help you understand the speeds for the green, it also gives you time to warm up your stroke.

Practice Tricky Shots

Many golfers assume that your drive is the most important swing in golf, but what happens when you drive your ball into a bunker and have not had the chance to warm up the shot? Practicing a few shots that may come about while on the course is a smart idea. Preparing yourself with pitching, chipping and sand shots will give you a handle on how the round will play out. 

By utilizing some of these warm-ups into your routine, you will see improvements in your golf skills. Everyone is different, however, and not all gain the same benefits from the same warm-ups. Finding a routine that works well for you is key.

Visit our website to learn about memberships, take a video tour, or contact our staff.

Summer Swimming Safety Tips

St. Cloud Country Club's pool has made its anticipated return this past Memorial Day weekend. With the reopening of the pool, we highly encourage you and your family to stop on over and hop in the warm water. And afterward, possibly swinging on the beautiful golf course or any of the other great activities that are offered.

 

When coming to the Country Club’s pool, we want to make sure that you are staying safe this summer, especially with children around. Here are a few need-to-know tips on staying safe at the pool:

Wear a certified life jacket

To put it simply, life jackets save lives. Whether you are a strong swimmer or not, life jackets are always beneficial to keep around. Wearing a life jacket means a higher probability of safety towards you or your children.

Be supervised

When swimming, you should stay in a designated area that is supervised by certified lifeguards or at least by a parent. When supervising someone, make sure you are clear of distractions, as an incident can erupt at any moment’s notice.

Never swim alone

Always swim with a buddy. Sticking to the buddy system allows that extra factor of having someone else being responsible for you, ensuring that your safety is their number one priority, as their safety is yours. 

Keep safety equipment around

This includes reaching or throwing equipment to extend to someone in trouble, having a cell phone handy, being aware of or keeping a nearby first aid kit, and having those life jackets within reach.

Wear sunscreen

Sunscreen protects your skin from the powerful rays of the sun that cause sunburns or even lead to skin problems or cancers. Use a waterproof sunscreen, and be sure to reapply it when necessary. Stray clear from direct sunlight; even when in the water the sun can reach you!

Drink plenty of water. Even if you aren’t thirsty, make sure you stay hydrated. Dehydration begins before you feel thirsty, and the most revealing sign of dehydration (aka: sweating) can get overlooked when enjoying a day in the water. The more the temperature rises and the longer you are outdoors, the more water you should consume.

The pool at the St. Cloud Country Club may be open for its members only, but do not be weary, as you can become a member in mere minutes! The pool is one of many great activities at the Country Club and is awaiting your arrival. Come on in, the water is more than fine - it’s fantastic!

We Dared. We Compared.

The St. Cloud Country Club believes that it offers its members and their families the absolute best overall value and EXPERIENCE in Central Minnesota.

We decided to take the average annual cost with everything included for a family to join a public golf club in St. Cloud and compared it to the cost and everything included in our memberships. Here’s what we found...

The annual cost for a family to join a public golf club in St. Cloud is approximately $1800 (including a "range" fee).

The annual cost for a family to become St. Cloud Country Club Members varies from approximately $2400 - $3300. (Depending on the age of the family)

So, the cost differential is approximately $600-$1500 ($50-$125 per month). The question is then, what does a family get for the additional cost? The answer(s):

• The Family is treated as Members, not "season pass holders."
• 4 hour (or less) rounds of golf.
• The most beautiful, well-groomed golf course in Central Minnesota.
• A large outdoor pool and a wading pool for the kids, overlooking the Mississippi river, complete with lifeguards.
• An outdoor deck, overlooking the Mississippi. Perfect for cocktail hour.
• A fantastic dining experience.
• Holiday events/special events (Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, etc., etc.)
• Two clay tennis courts.
• Free access to facilities for events.
• Junior golf program for kids.

Interested in a membership? Contact us today at 320-253-1331 ex. 101, or email Tom Olson at tomo@stcloudcountryclub.com.