St. Cloud Country Club: A Family Experience

When my husband first approached me about joining St. Cloud Country Club I replied with “Sure, sounds like a great place for you to golf!” When he explained there was more to love than just golf, I was suspicious to say the least, because I’d heard that about other courses, too.

Well, 4 years later I’m ready to admit it: My husband was RIGHT. Here are some of the things I’ve come to appreciate about the St. Cloud Country Club.

The Pool

What a lifesaver this place has been! Along with a large pool and water slide, there is a great kiddie pool for the littles in your life. Take it from a mom who’d rather sip a cocktail poolside than get into the water (I may be part cat), having a kiddie pool you can wade in with your kids is fantastic.

You don’t have to get super wet, and your kids still enjoy themselves. There is also a snack hut where you can order drinks, snacks, and the full 19th hole grill menu, which they will deliver to you by the pool. This is nice for the parents who don’t want to strip the swimsuits off their kids’ wet little bodies to go inside and eat, only to squeeze them back into said wet swimsuits when they’re done eating. The pool is also fully staffed with trained lifeguards. It’s nice to know there are always multiple sets of eyes watching over the pool and keeping everyone safe.

The Course

While I may not take pride in my golf game, I do know what makes for a great golf experience. The course is always well maintained and has a beautiful layout that blends into Mississippi River views around you.

While a round of 18 holes would take upwards of 4 to 5 hours at another course, the rate of play at the St. Cloud Country Club is steady, making a typical round last about 3 ½ hours. My favorite part about the course is that we can bring our 4-year-old, who is obsessed with golf, out onto the course in the evenings to play a few holes. He loves the fact that he’s on a real course with the adults, and we love that he’s getting a true golf experience. The staff always acknowledges him and engages in golf chat with him.

We’re excited for him to be old enough to participate in the junior golf program. There are also leagues for men and women, and couples golf nights, which usually have a dinner theme (perfect for date night!) These are all fun ways to enjoy the course in a more social setting.

The Dining and Banquet Experience

The dining experience at the St. Cloud Country Club is unmatched in the St. Cloud area. My husband’s family drives 2 ½ hours from Fargo every year for the Mother’s Day brunch – that’s how good it is. There are weekday specials like a build-your-own pasta bar, burger bar, prime rib night, fish frys during the Lenten season, and a “meet Santa” brunch in December.

We have also participated in some themed dinners, such as a Beaver Island dinner, which included special food selections, each course being paired with Beaver Island Brewing Co. beer. Planning date night is easy for us because we can just look at the events calendar each week and decide what we want to do!

As members, we’re able to rent out the banquet facility for events, which we did for my sister-in-law’s graduation party. The party was a breeze because Paige, Norm, and the rest of the staff were so on the ball. Our food was hot and fresh throughout the entire day, drinks were always full, and everyone who came to the party was thoroughly impressed by the facility, food, and staff.


The St. Cloud Country Club has become on of my favorite places to spend quality time with my family and friends. I was skeptical at first, but I’m so thankful that my husband was able to convince me to check out all that the SCCC has to offer. Come see for yourself – set up a tour of the St. Cloud Country Club today. I’ll wave to you from the pool!

The Top 5 Benefits of Becoming A St. Cloud Country Club Member

You may think you know all there is to do in Saint Cloud, but if you are not a member of the Country Club, you are missing out.

There is so much to do at the Saint Cloud Country Club if you are one of our members! Consider the top 5 benefits of becoming a member:

1. A Pristine Golf Course

The SCCC boasts the best 18-hole golf course in Saint Cloud. As a member, we offer many options for competitive play as well as junior, women's, and men’s leagues. If you are a novice, individual lessons and clinics are available to learn! You will absolutely love the quiet atmosphere and the gorgeous views on SCCC’s pristine golf course.

2. Splash in our Swimming Pool

Summer fun means pool time, but there are limited options in Saint Cloud for a place to dip your feet. As a member of the SCCC, you get access to our large outdoor swimming pool from May 27th through September 4th. If you have a family, this benefit is huge! The pool includes a water slide, kiddie pool, and we also offer swimming lessons. The SCCC also serves meals to order poolside and has ample snack and drink options while you relax.

3. Fun Family Events

As a member of SCCC, you have access to our large gathering space which can accommodate up to 200 guests. This is not just for weddings, think office parties, holiday gatherings, family celebrations, birthdays, and more! You have a venue ready to serve delicious food and do the clean-up for your family events.

4. Scrumptious Food

Speaking of delicious food, our dining experience is excellent. Our chefs use seasonal foods to shape a gourmet menu just for you. The cuisine paired with the gorgeous views of the rolling hills along the Mississippi river make for the perfect mealtime experience. Join us for a date night, a fish fry, a Thursday night pasta bar, or a Sunday brunch. You will not be disappointed!

5. Part of a Community

The best benefit of becoming a member at the Saint Cloud Country Club we saved for last. The community at the SCCC is outstanding! Many members have been a part of the Country Club for decades. Expand your professional network, meet a golf or tennis pro, and build relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime.


Consider becoming a member of the Saint Cloud Country Club today! With so much to do and so much to gain, the benefits really outweigh the costs.

Teaching Your Kids The Game Of Golf

If you’re an avid golfer and have children, the natural instinct will be for you to teach them the game of golf.

There are several steps to remember when teaching your young ones about this great game. The most important thing, above all, is remembering to have patience as a parent. Golf takes a lot of time, effort and practice to become adept at. But when things get frustrating, always remember to have fun and talk things through with your child.


Let’s take a look at some of the steps parents can take to help their child love the game as much as they do:

Take Advantage Of Late Evenings

Golf courses usually see the least foot traffic in the evening. Not having a crowded course will allow you more time to focus on the mechanics of your child’s swing instead of worrying about a group of people running up behind you. You can also have a little more fun and be a lot more relaxed on an empty course.

Let Them Tell You What They’re Comfortable With

For a young child, let them learn the game at their speed. You can teach them fundamentals like a proper grip, but children just want to have a good time. Let them find their own way at first. Putting contests are a fun and easy way to start some form of direction. Chipping contests are also a great idea to see who gets closest to the hole.

Give Them The Proper Equipment.

A lot of young golfers get hand-me-down clubs that don’t always fit their height. The clubs are either too long, stiff or heavy. This can really mess with a young golfer’s swing. Make sure to fit them with the proper equipment so they can enjoy the game the right way.

Start When They’re Ready.

One of the worst things you can do as a golf parent is starting their lessons too young. Don’t try to teach your child to swing until they’re at least 5 years old. Bring them to the hitting range or practice green with you to see if they have any interest in what you’re doing. Start with toy clubs that are plastic and work your way up to the real thing.

Don’t Be Overbearing.

The worst thing a parent can become is an opinionated coach. Don’t focus on the negative and always give them positive feedback. If something negative happens, be supportive and encourage them to try again. Be a cheerleader for your kids, not a dictator. Always talk about the good shots and not the bad ones.


Don’t forget to sign up for the St. Cloud Country Club’s Junior Golf League, which begins June 22. Junior golf memberships are also available.


We have many other membership options available.

Membership at St. Cloud Country Club

Looking for the best swimming, dining, and golf recreation spot this summer? Look all you want, but you won’t find anywhere in Central Minnesota that matches the St. Cloud Country Club. We offer a variety of membership plans that allow everyone to find a plan tailored to their interests. From the avid golfer to the family looking for fun outdoors, we have a membership option that will be perfect for you.

Golf Membership Options

Class A: $446.95/month

For families/couples age 40 & over
$1,000 Initiation Fee

This membership includes unlimited golf, unlimited swimming, unlimited tennis, and facilities usage. This plan is perfect for the family seeking activities to do together. Take advantage of all St. Cloud Country Club facilities for the season.

Class B: $332.46/month

For families/couples age 33-39, or singles aged 33 and over
$750 Initiation Fee

A class B membership for families includes unlimited golf, unlimited swimming, unlimited tennis, and facilities usage. Get your family out and active with this membership plan which features access to all St. Cloud Country Club activities.

Class C: $219.32/month

For heads of families ages 21-32
No Initiation Fee

This plan is perfect for young families looking for quality time together. Class C memberships in this age group includes unlimited golf, unlimited swimming, unlimited tennis, and facilities usage. Get your golf time in while your family spends the day at the pool or on the tennis courts.

Class C: $174.22/month

For singles age 21-32 and under
No Initiation Fee

Take advantage of all that St. Cloud Country Club has to offer with this unlimited plan at a newly reduced rate for millennials. Class C membership includes unlimited golf, unlimited swimming, unlimited tennis, and facilities usage.

Limited Golf Memberships

Limited Golf Membership: $169.22/month

$300 Initiation Fee

Take advantage of 6 rounds of golf throughout the season without compromising your family’s pool time. This membership includes 6 rounds of golf (per season per spouse), unlimited swimming, unlimited tennis, and facilities usage. This membership plan is perfect for those busy families who can’t make it out to the course every day.

Social Membership: $103.72/month

$200 Initiation Fee

Don’t golf but still want to get outdoors? No problem! This plan is perfect for the active individual with unlimited access to all facilities including our pool and tennis court. The membership Includes unlimited swimming, unlimited tennis, and facilities usage.

Dining Membership: $98.35/month

$100 Initiation Fee

Membership includes all clubhouse dining facilities. Access to top-notch dining can be yours with this affordable dining membership plan.


Interested in signing up for a membership? Visit our website to learn how you can join St. Cloud Country Club as a member.

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.

Why More Women Should Golf

A game for competitive athletes, a game for casual players, a game for all ages- golf is an incredibly versatile sport that many individuals have enjoyed and from which many have benefitted from. It is an especially interesting and empowering sport for women to play. Below are five reasons why women can benefit from playing golf:

 

Body, Mind and Fitness

Golf is an excellent sport that helps you to get fit and stay healthy, and by walking around the course and swinging the club for a few hours, you can burn around 1500 calories per game. Often touted as a lifelong sport, playing a round of golf on a regular basis will help you to maintain healthy body fitness and get your muscles working and toned. Additionally, as an endurance sport, it allows you to focus on building your strength, flexibility, and stamina- skills you can use on and off the green.

Professional and Social Networking

Golf is often considered an exceptionally social game, making it the perfect activity in which you can build and foster professional relationships. Many top executives and big businesses consider golf as an important tool in professional advancement and development. Women can level the field in the office as well as on the green by strengthening relationships with colleagues, peers, and clients through the hours of socialization and conversation that come with playing a round of golf. Socially, the handicapping scoring system makes it easy for players of all ability, competitive style, or age to play with friends and family.

Stimulate Your Brain

As you concentrate on taking more precise aims and tweaking the fine details of your game, you are developing your fine motors skills and hand eye coordination. Golf is a sport that uses all your senses and makes you hone in on certain skills and details in order to better your game. Creativity, problem-solving, visualization, and strategic thinking are just some of the skills that improve as you continually play golf. The tactics you employ to improve your golf game better can be applied on and off the field and will lead to more confidence in your game and a greater sense of self-esteem and worth.

Travel and Explore

People often play golf to network, to exercise their competitive natures, and to relax. Getting away from the office and away from the electronics that seemingly clutter our lives will improve your health and outlook on life. The stress relief that golfing provides can do a world of wonder for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Playing on beautiful, sunny courses will give you a healthy dose of Vitamin D, which helps improve sleep and circulation, increases natural protection against diseases, and generally enhance your mood. Additionally, you can find beautifully-kept golf courses not only around the country, but around the world. Take advantage of this fact and travel around the world to visit as many courses as you can.

Golf is a Game for Men—And Women

Traditionally, golf has been a game populated by male players. However, the game is looking to evolve and become more inclusive of all golfers. Golf analysts are focusing on making courses more female-friendly by adding cleaner amenities and offering a wider range of golf merchandise and apparel for women. They are also focusing on parsing the attitudes that people hold in regards to how men and women play golf differently, how golf is marketed to women, and how women are treated as equals.

 

The growth of women’s leagues and women-centric golf networks have successfully increased in recent years. While much can develop with the attitudes towards gender and golf, female golf players supporting each other helps to make excellent strives in the game of golf.

Golf is a fantastic lifetime sport that allows for women to enjoy the benefits of physical fitness, professional and social networking, brain stimulation, traveling, and the development of the game itself. Don’t wait a second longer- visit our website to see how golf can change and vastly improve your life.

Top Ten Reasons to Join the St. Cloud Country Club

Spring is right around the corner, and that means golf is too. A new golf season means it’s about time to start thinking about a 2015 country club membership. Here are ten great reasons as to why you should join the St. Cloud Country Club:

1. The cost of membership is extremely attractive. The 2008 economic downturn (and the subsequent slow recovery) has resulted in private country clubs lowering prices across the board. For people who play a substantial number of rounds, a private club membership is often less costly than paying fees at a public course -- range balls are free!

2. No more 5+ hour rounds!

3. The staff are friendly, professional and always go above and beyond for members. The new chef is a culinary expert. Guests and business acquaintances will be impressed with the overall quality of the experience.

 

4. Club facilities are always free for members. The meeting rooms are perfect for sales meetings, and the banquet room is ideal for weddings.

5. St Cloud Country Club offers one of the only outdoor swimming pools in St. Cloud!

 

6. Tennis anyone? The St. Cloud Country Club offers 2 clay tennis courts.

 

7. Have you ever tried to find a bar/restaurant with a deck overlooking the Mississippi river? Tough to find, unless of course you visit the St. Cloud Country Club!

 

8. The St. Cloud Country Club has excellent programs for kids, including junior golf, tennis and swim lessons. We also have 2-levels of junior tees so the kids can compete with mom and dad on the course.

 

9. The golf course is challenging for the low handicapped players, but playable and fair for the higher handicapped player. It is also beautiful and easy to walk.

 

10. St. Cloud Country Club is introducing a networking club exclusive to members and their guests. This group will open up new opportunities for members and make it easy to do business with other members.

Call General Manager Tom Olson for information about our 2015 membership promotion or schedule a tour around the club.  Call 320-253-1331 extension 101 or email tomo@stcloudcountryclub.com

Hitting the Links with Social Media

As many of you may know, hitting the links is a commonly used phrase to announce you plan on playing a round of golf. With winter in full-swing, hitting the links is becoming an inescapable craving. In the meantime, you may want to consider hitting our links online. Stay in the know and join us online for the most recent updates on events, dining, the golf course, special offers and more.

If you miss the Minnesota golf season as much as we do, or want to be in the loop on all things related to the St. Cloud Country Club, please like and follow our social media platforms and invite your friends to do the same! If you are new to social, see our expert explanation of each social media platform:

• Facebook: I like golf
• Twitter: I am playing #Golf @StCloudCC
• Pinterest: This golf #tip inspires me
• Google+: My golf hangout off the course
• Blogger: Read about my golf experiences
• YouTube: Watch me golf
• LinkedIn: My skills include playing golf

If you are still lost, please feel free to contact us.