Thursday, December 25, 2014

Tips for Teaching Your Kids to Golf

 
There is nothing better than a great round of golf with your friends. Golf is a sport for life, and we believe it is important to instill your passion for golf to your children. The bonding experience you receive while teaching your kids to golf is irreplaceable and something they will remember for a lifetime. We would like to share a few of our tips on how to get your kids excited to learn the game of golf:


Make it Fun
When it comes to teaching children a new skill, kids want to have fun. If you focus too much on the mechanics of the game rather than the amazing feeling when they finally hit the ball or beat you in a game, they will lose interest quickly. Don’t forget to celebrate the little things.


Start Slow
Golf is a hard sport to master. Before you hand them a club, be sure to explain to them the reasons you love to golf, teach them the importance of golf etiquette and let them set goals for themselves.


Finding an Instructor
Not everyone is a great teacher, and that is okay. Many courses offer private or group lessons to children, as well as camps that not only teach the kids how to golf, but also the patience, focus and correct form it takes to take their golf game to the next level.


Finding the Right Equipment
Using a club that is too long or too heavy will hinder a kid’s ability to learn correct form. A new player will already have enough trouble learning technique without having to deal with improper equipment. A popular trend with adults teaching their children the game is taking their old set of clubs and having them cut down to fit the needs of their children. This ensures the children are properly suited to handle their golf equipment.


Where to Play
It is very important to think about other golfers when you choose a course or time to practice. Try late in the evening or at a time when it’s not crowded. If your kid wants to chase after the ball or rake every bunker, you don’t want to have to worry about a group waiting behind you.


Be Patient - Practice Makes Better, Not Perfect
It takes a lot of time, effort and patience to master the game of golf- even the pros aren’t perfect. Celebrating achievements and praising improvements will motivate them to be an even better player. Remember, not every young golfer is going to be the next Tiger Woods or Rory McIlory.


Show Them Instead of Tell Them
For most, visual learning will get you a lot farther than just telling them what to do. While you are teaching them, don’t get discouraged if they can’t perfect their grip or if they only hit the ball once every ten times. Let them try a few different clubs and mimic your stance.


Make it a Game
Spend time on the putting green. Have putting contests. Putting is one of the easier mechanics for a child to learn. As they become better at putting, they will be encouraged to develop the rest of their game.


Set Goals
Setting goals with rewards is a great way to encourage your kids to focus and improve their golf game. Once they complete their goal, give them a break and treat them to soda and a treat in the club house. There is no better feeling than accomplishing a new skill on the course.





Here at Blueberry Pines, we know young golfers are the future of the sport and we believe in them- golf is a passion, not a sport. When you become an experienced golfer, the course becomes a whole new world. We hope to see you and your children enjoying our course very soon!

How to Keep your Golf Game in the Winter

When the sun is shining and the thermometer mercury stays around a comfortable 70 degrees, your golf game stays strong, but when the winter rolls around, some of us can fall out of the groove. To keep yourself on your toes and prepared for the spring, take a look at these helpful tips:
 
 

Indoor Driving Range
An indoor golf range would definitely be a great idea to utilize it in the wintertime to take your game back to the basics. Indoor golf training centers also typically include golf simulators to help golfers work on every aspect of their game.


Practice in your Garage
If an indoor driving range isn’t an option in your area, swing a weighted golf club in your garage to improve strength in your arms and wrists. Over time, it will increase your rate of speed when you swing your club.


Get Some Exercise
Whether starting a membership at your local gym, or playing a round of racquetball every Tuesday and Thursday night, the more exercise you get in will help your golf game. Improving your personal condition through strength and flexibility will help you avoid injury and play better once the season begins again.


Grip and Swing
It may sound tedious, but practice your grip and swing, even if you don’t have a ball to hit. These are small improvements that can make a big impact on your golf game come spring.


Lift Weights
Lifting weights regularly can add strength and power to your swing to really increase your drive on the ball.


Look in the Mirror
It is easy to notice when someone else is holding their driver a little funny or taking the club in too far on the backswing, but sometimes when you are holding the club wrong, it is hard to notice. If it is easier, you could even video yourself and see if their are any improvements to be made; you may actually be surprised at what you come across.


Practice Putting
In our opinion, whether it is summer or winter, you can never get enough practice putting! You can practice easily on your living room carpet, or on your own green, if you have one.


Once spring hits, our staff at Blueberry Pines hopes to see you on our course with your new-found winter golf improvements. For more information about Blueberry Pines Golf, Dining or Event center visit our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Google+ pages!

Monday, November 17, 2014

You Don't Need to Golf to Enjoy our Restaurant

Although we are known for our beautiful golf course, our restaurant is also a great reason to stop by Blueberry Pines. And, if you’re not keen on hitting the links - never fear; you definitely don’t have to be a golfer to have a good time.

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At our Blueberry Pines Restaurant, we have a wide array of options that will please every member of your family. Whether you are taking the family out for a special occasion or just stopping in for a quick bite or cold drink from our full service lounge, you won’t be disappointed.

We have great dining specials and warm comfortable service at Blueberry Pines featuring succulent steaks, fresh seafood and a savory salad bar. Enjoy our mouthwatering Prime Rib or Beef Au Jus every Friday and Saturday Night plus indulge in our wonderful fresh seafood specials.

One of the guest favorites is our Sunday Brunch Buffet served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring a wide array of breakfast and dinner items, carving station, fresh fruits and dessert table. We also feature custom made omelets and butler style eggs benedict.

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New Winter Hours Begin Monday, November 17, 2014
Winter Dining Hours
  • Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 8:00 pm
  • Sunday Brunch Buffet: 10 am to 2 pm
Winter Lounge Hours
  • Friday and Saturday: 11 am to close
  • Sunday: 10 am to 3 pm
 
Our menu has many great tasting options including:
 
Starters
We have 8 delicious starters to share with the family.
Soup and Salad
You can add the soup and salad bar to any item for only $4.00.
Pizza
Each of our pizza’s are built on a flatbread crust with a 5 cheese blend.
Pasta
You can add a grilled airline chicken breast or garlic lime shrimp skewer to your pasta options to give it a little extra flavor.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Served with kettle chips or fries, we have many sandwich or wrap options for your family to enjoy.
Small Basket Selections
These small basket selections are a great option for those with a smaller appetite. Children under 12 also receive a complimentary kids drink.
Entrees
From our Grilled Butchers Steak, Oak and Sugar Maple Smoked Pork Ribs or our Seafood Trio, we have many entree selections to cure the largest of appetites.

Our fabulous menu selections, paired with an excellent staff, are guaranteed to keep you and your family coming back. To view our full menu, follow this link.

Have you dined with us at Blueberry Pines? Leave us a comment and tell us about your experience!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

5 Ways To “DIY” Your Wedding


With the help of Pinterest, even the least crafty of brides can “DIY” most of their wedding. Now, whether you’re a crafting queen or Martha Stewart wanna-be, never fear; we’ve gathered five DIY wedding projects anyone can do.

Glitter Vases
It’s challenging to find a centerpiece that’s both affordable and makes a major statement, but it’s not impossible DIY glitter vases are the perfect centerpiece for budget conscious brides that love glam & sparkle! All you need to make these stunning centerpieces is glitter, mod podge, painters tape, a paint brush and of course… vases! First, tape off where you want to glitter to end. Next, paint the mod podge onto your vase with a paintbrush. Then, sprinkle on the glitter, making sure to have a paper towel underneath to avoid too big of a mess. Let it dr and then add a light coat of mod podge to lock the glitter into place.  Now all you need to do is decide what to put into your vase. If you’re looking for some elegant we recommend a floating candle. Click here to read a glitter vase tutorial.

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Brooch Bouquets
Brooch Bouquets are very popular; especially among brides that choose a vintage or glam wedding theme.  These gorgeous bouquets can cost upwards of $600 on sites like Esty! Although these bouquets look quite intricate, they are quite easy to make.  You can buy brooches in bulk on sites like Amazon, Ebay and Esty. Another great site to purchase brooches from is Fabulous Brooch. These brooches are a little more expensive than the ones you can buy in bulk on Esty and Ebay, but you get the option to choose exactly which brooches you want. Most brooches on Fabulous Brooch cost around $4. If you would prefer to pick out your brooches in person, check out local thrift stores, antique shops  and/or ask family & friends to bring a brooch with them to your bridal shower! To keep your brooch bouquet under $200, you can always mix in some fake flowers or faux pearl beads. Watch this tutorial video to learn how to make a brooch bouquet.

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Photo booth
Don’t spend money renting a fancy photo booth! Make your own backdrop and props. You can even provide a camera for people to use, although people tend to prefer to use their smart phones because it’s easier to upload the photos.  We recommend making a photo booth sign with your wedding hashtag for people to use when they upload their photos on social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There are many ways you can DIY your photo booth - Click here for “DIY” photo booth backdrop ideas.

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Framed Chalkboard
Planning an old fashioned or country wedding? Chalkboards are an extremely popular piece! They’re often used for the wedding program, seating charts, menus, list of specialty drinks, signage, sweet quotes - well, basically whatever you like. Wrapping your chalkboard in a decorative frame adds class and elegance, and you can create this in a couple of different ways. Find an old mirror and paint over the glass with chalkboard paint. You could also buy an old chalkboard and frame, and paint that frame white, gold, silver or one of your wedding colors. If you’re into the vintage look, you can go for the distressed antique look when painting your frame. Click here to learn how. Now, if you’re really feeling ambitious, take a slab of wood and paint the inside with chalkboard paint; the outside can be painted with a pattern to mimic a frame. Here is little chalkboard inspiration.

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Chairs
At Blueberry Pines, our rustic chic-inspired banquet room, complete with a view of the golf course greenery, doesn’t need much work in order to be beautiful. But, if you want to add a bit of flair and color without spending a fortune, we recommend adding strips of ribbon to the backs of the chairs like the photo pictured. DIY-ing doesn’t get much easier than this! Get more ideas on how to use ribbon to add some flair to your chairs here.

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Whether you plan to craft your  entire wedding by hand, or simply dabble in a few “DIY“ wedding projects, the staff at Blueberry Pines is ready to help you plan your special day! Planning to try any of these? Leave us a comment and let us know how it turned out!

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Golf: It’s Good for your Health!

"Golf is a good walk spoiled.”
-Mark Twain


Here at Blueberry Pines Golf Course, we wholeheartedly disagree! Golf is not simply a good walk, it is a fun, active, rewarding way of life. Consider this - a 150 pound person will burn approximately 300 calories per hour just walking the course. That same person will burn 230 calories per hour using a golf cart. A person will also burn 200 calories per hour on the driving range.


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There are many advantages of staying active by playing golf. The health benefits of this cardiographic exercise include reduced heart disease and lessened chances of suffering from diabetes and cancer. The act of swinging a golf club will increase a person's flexibility and build core strength. Most people agree that a round of golf relieves stress.


Golf is also a very social game. A round of golf is typically played with 4 people. During the round, people get a chance to really get to know their fellow players in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Some studies have shown that person's life is extended by two and a half years when they stay socially active.


In order to receive the same benefits as playing 18 holes of golf (walking), you would need to:


  • Strength Train for 2 hours and 45 minutes
  • Be Aerobically Active for 2 hours and 10 minutes
  • Jogg on a Treadmill for 2 hours and 10 minutes


A good walk spoiled? No way! During your round you should be enjoying the company of your playing partners, communing with nature and enjoying that rare great shot! And best of all, after your round you can treat yourself to a cold beverage or some great food. After all, you just burned more than 1,000 calories!


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Come visit us at Blueberry Pines and receive the best walk a person can get! To plan a group or corporate outing click here.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Why Join a Golf League?


As any avid golfer will tell you, time on the course involves more than a sport - it’s a way of life. And, there are few better ways to integrate it into your life than by joining a local golf league.


If league golfing isn't something you've ever tried , then let’s dispel a myth you might believe; you do not have to be an expert on the course in order to join a team. Many league golfers will tell you - they do it to see their friends, enjoy a few cocktails and improve their game in a fun, yet competitive environment.


If you’re kicking around the idea of getting a team together, here are some things we think makes that idea a good one.

ROUTINE
Life’s busy, and our responsibilities always seem to override our hobbies. By joining a league, you’re giving yourself that dedicated time out on the course. Hold it harmless; work/life balance is important!



HEALTH
Well, golf is a great form of activity, league or not, but as we previously mentioned, when you on a team with a set time and some accountability to your competitors, you tend to move at a more clipped pace. Also, if you really want to torch some calories, park the golf cart and walk the course!


SKILL-BUILDING
There’s a time and a place for puttering around the on the course, but like we said, when you’re league golfing, you’ve got to stick to a certain timeframe and make every shot count! This kind of focus helps take your game to another level!


SOCIAL
None of us are, or will become, Tiger Woods. And frankly, that’s more than fine with your typical league golfer.  But, with league golfing, you’ll probably meet a few new people who could become longtime golf partners, business connections and friends.

Have you been part of a league? What’s the best part? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Golf Course Weddings: Quiet, Elegant & Worry-Free

Whether you’re an avid golfer, or simply appreciate the pristine view, a golf course is an ideal place to host your wedding. 


Here at Blueberry Pines, we are delighted when couples choose us to host their big day; in fact, we can probably help alleviate some of the stress of the planning process with our services! Weddings are about love, joy and happiness; not worrying about if something will go wrong. The calming atmosphere at Blueberry Pines, will help reduce your stress and let you concentrate on your guests and bride or groom-to-be. 

Consider Blueberry Pines Golf Club for a worry-free event experience. We have a Professional staff ready to help you with all the details. We have a range of services and partners to ensure your special day is a grand success. Our beautifully furnished banquet facility allows for any amount of guests that you may have.

Weddings happen once in a lifetime, so we want to provide you with top notch service. Along with our excellent and worry-free service, the beautiful landscape and quiet atmosphere at Blueberry Pines will have you and your guests enjoying the special day from start to finish. They have the opportunity to explore the green outdoors and observe nature. When the
celebration is coming to an end, you can watch the beautiful dramatic sunset staging complete with a backdrop of the golf course. 
 


Along with outdoor options like in or near our beautiful Gazebo, we have indoor options as well to accommodate any of your desires on your special day!

Have your special occasion, corporate meeting, club gathering, or reunion at Blueberry Pines, and we'll ensure it's a success! We can help with any banquet or special meeting needs you may have. We have a complete set of services to make your meeting a success and have planners to assist you to ensure everything goes smoothly. For more information and a customized quote, make sure to use our request form.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The Beginning and Story of Blueberry Pines

Hard to believe, but Blueberry Pines was not always a golf outing destination. Truth be told, these 18 holes were once a Christmas tree farm - a 160 acre wonderland, complete with a spring-fed creek running through the center. 

Now, while a tree farm is certainly a worthy endeavor, we had bigger plans. After all, this area is a natural golf course - it’s peppered with pine trees and small bodies of water tucked into a hilly, rolling landscape. We wanted to create a challenging, beautiful, non-links course that any person can golf, no matter their skill level.

So, we tapped renowned golf course architect Joel Goldstrand, a professional with over 80 golf courses in his name, and began constructing a golf course in 1990. 

The process moved quickly, and Blueberry Pines Golf Course opened with 9 holes in the spring of 1992. This was soon followed with a full 18 holes ready for play, along with a bar / restaurant and event center, ready by autumn of that same year.

It hasn’t always been easy; in the spring of 1994, the course experienced a bad case of snow mold, killing nine greens and taking several months to repair. But, this was minor compared to what unfolded in 2013...

On May 14th of last year, what has come to be known as “The Green Valley Fire” started. It was approximately 13 miles long and 3 miles deep on the north side of the Golf Course. Crews managed to stop the fire before it damaged too much of the course, but it ravaged areas around holes 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 2, 12, and 11. 

The repair process is ongoing; we’ve already cut down many, many damaged trees and will continue doing so throughout the summer, replanting where we need to as soon as possible. The landscape is definitely altered, with many more open spots and damaged trees, but Blueberry Pines will recover in no time. 

So, with that being said, what makes Blueberry Pines so special? 
  • We have large, raised tee boxes with several tee option, allowing all players of different abilities to play from areas matching their unique skill levels. 
  • Our sandy soils allow us to open earlier and close later. 
  • Because we’re flanked by pines, we have very, very few leaves...and as any avid golfer knows, leaves are extremely bothersome…
  • We have large, angulating greens (a Joel Goldstrand trademark.)
  • Unique landscape features throughout our 18 holes - check them out in our photo gallery. 

Stepping away from course features, we’re also extremely proud of a few other Blueberry Pines qualities. These include but are not limited to:
  • The beautiful outdoor views from the large windows of the clubhouse.
  • Our dedicated, friendly staff.
  • Some seriously tasty food.
  • A warm, inviting and family-friendly environment, with a nice deck outside for outdoor dining
  • The excellent Don Holman, performing live with soft, relaxing, fun music on Friday and Saturday evenings, and during Sunday brunch.

We welcome any type of event - business functions, weddings, funerals, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. - and will work with you to make sure your event is exactly what you want. 

Above all, we’re moving forward; we’re always looking for ways to improve our golf course, restaurant, and bar to accommodate everyone, whether local folks or those from far away. We seek to engage younger generations in the game of golf with social media, youth programs and special discounts. 

We’ve always been known as Blueberry Pines Golf Club, but the word “club” is misleading. We’re not a private organization; we’re open to the public, and our overarching goal is to make Blueberry Pines a centerpiece attraction for our area. That’s why we’ve changed our name to 
Blueberry Pines Golf, Dining, and Event Center. 

We hope you’ll stop by and see us soon!



Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Golf and Social Media: It's a Hole in One

Spring has sprung, and as that long, painful winter starts disappearing in the rearview mirror, thoughts of hitting the links are top of mind for many. 

With a great deal of natural beauty, extreme popularity, and the potential for boundless business success, Minnesota's golf courses stand to gain a lot from having a presence on social media platforms.

Here are a few reasons why we at Blueberry Pines, along with other courses, are “hitting the (web) links.”.



Social Media is organic advertising. 

Contrary to popular opinion, social media is not just for the youth of society anymore. According to a recent Huffington Post study, since 2012, the majority of major social media platforms have been reporting their strongest year-over-year growth in the 55-64 year-old bracket. Facebook reports 46% more in this age group. Google+ says they've increased this crew by 56%. And, believe it or not, a whopping 79% more of these folks are hash-tagging away on Twitter. 

And, as you might already assume, younger golfers (and even younger future golfers) are getting more of their information on everything from social media at the expense of traditional forms of marketing.  

By getting a golf course connected with social media, news, events and special deals are able to reach everybody, all at once.

Social media engages people

Thanks to platforms like Facebook and Twitter, our customers’ pictures, links to interesting articles or blurbs about special course promotions can grabbed and re-shared to their friends. Check-in features on sites like Facebook and Instagram let golfers tag pictures of our course, address included, in any status updates they might be launching. 

Best part? Those people our customers engage with online could just end up being future Blueberry Pines customers. 

By being on social media, our regular customers advertise for us, just by sharing the highlights of a good time!

GOLF COURSES ARE FOR EVERYONE

Places like Blueberry Pines are more than just places to play a round of golf. We also boast an events center, ready for weddings, corporate events, fundraisers and more.

Staying digitally connected is a great way to promote these features to all the non-golfers trolling the web, searching for the best place to host their special event. 

It’s a no-brainer; social media is a smooth and seamless as a great swing! So, as the warm weather ramps up, keep up with Blueberry Pines online!