Join us for our Valentine's Day Sweetheart Dinner

Treat yourself to a special evening at Blueberry Pines Golf, Dining and Event Center this Valentine’s Day. We are featuring our Sweetheart Dinner for Two as well as Single Entrées..

We will do our best treat you like royalty from the time you walk in our doors to the time you return home. Our goal is to make this Valentine’s a joyous experience for you and your special someone.

 

The Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Menu will include:

Appetizers

• Crab Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp with Beurre Blanc Sauce - $11.95
• Seafood Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Caps with Lemon and Garlic Butter Cream - $10.95
• Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip Bread Bowl Served with Garlic Naan Triangles - $8.95

Single Entrées

All single entrees listed below include Soup & Salad Bar with choice of Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Wild Rice Pilaf or Baked Potato.

• Grilled 12oz. Certified Angus New York Steak - $21.95
• Hand Carved Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus - $21.95
• Airline Breast of Chicken with Pesto, Bacon Fettuccine Alfredo - $18.95
• Breaded or Broiled Canadian Walleye (Two Fillets) - $21.95

Sweetheart Dinner for Two

All Dinner for Two entrées listed below include Soup & Salad Bar with choice of Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Wild Rice Pilaf or Baked Potato.

• Roast Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus and Garlic Lime Shrimp Skewers for Two - $50.00
• Seafood Trio for Two - $55.00
• Hand Breaded Fish Filet, Shrimp Skewer and Bacon Wrapped Scallops
• Roast Beef Tenderloin Béarnaise for Two - $54.00
• Sliced Roast Beef Tenderloin Béarnaise and Broiled Lobster Tails for Two - $59.00

Homemade Desserts

• Chocolate Velvet Finale - $14.95
• Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Petit Fours, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Red Velvet Heart Cake with Champagne for Two
• New York Style Cheese Cake - $5.95
• Lemon Blueberry Tart - $5.95
• Chocolate Kahlua Cake - $5.95

 

Also joining us this Valentine's Day at Blueberry Pines is the excellent Don Holmen, performing live with soft, relaxing, fun music. Between the mix of delicious food and great music we are sure your night will be filled with wonderful memories. Seats fill up fast! Please reserve your table today: 218-564-4653.

Your Best Choice for your Big Day

 The question has been popped, the date has been set, but now what? Where do you
start?  You should start by giving Blueberry Pines Event Manager & Executive Chef,
Kyle Wheatley a call.  From our picture perfect fairways, all the way to our delicious
event menus, Blueberry Pines can be the perfect fit for your big day.

Blueberry Pines offers beautiful landscape that can provide a gorgeous backdrop for
photography.  Our greenery and picturesque fairways create a rich texture and colors
that will make your wedding pictures come to life.  Our setting is great for cocktails and
pre-wedding snacks, as well as providing the kids a place to exhaust some energy
before the ceremony.  Worried about parking?  Don’t be!  Our parking area is spacious
and provides close walking distance to our event center.

Our gorgeous three story clubhouse provides exclusivity.  Our banquet facility can seat
up to 300 of your family and friends comfortably, guaranteeing the bride and groom a
party full of people they love. If you are considering an outdoor wedding, Blueberry
Pines offers a beautiful outdoor Gazebo and outdoor seating area.

Blueberry Pines offers five different event menus that offer everything from a backyard
BBQ to Chef Carved Prime Rib.  Our catering staff always does their best to insure a
worry free experience and would be happy to provide answers to any questions that you
may have.

If you choose to have your wedding at Blueberry Pines, we will do everything we can to
ensure it is a joyous occasion.  We are also happy to help with any additional banquet
needs, such as a Groom’s Dinner.  We have a complete set of services to help make
your event a success and planners to assist you to ensure everything goes smoothly.
For more information and a customized quote, please be sure to use our request form.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

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!

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!

Get Ready…Golf Opener is Near

Ahh…golf opener. There’s nothing better than getting out on the course for the first time after the long winter months. The green, luscious view of the course, the fresh air and sunshine, and the great company of spending time with friends and family during an afternoon outing are all reasons why we love when golf season rolls around. These are all great things to look forward to, but what about your golf game? Make sure you’re prepared for your first round with this checklist:

#1 Equipment Inventory

If you haven’t looked at your bag since your last round of golf in the fall, it’s time to pull it out. Some things to check include: your grips, your clubs, and your bag. If you need to replace any of these items or fix them, now is the time.

#2 Tees, Balls, Gloves, and Markers

Before you head out on the course be sure to be fully stocked. Have your tees, balls, gloves, and markers easily accessible in your bag. Many golfers will need to replace their gloves from the previous season from normal wear and tear. Make sure to do so if your gloves have holes or tears in them, or no longer have adequate grip.

#3 Physical Fitness

Being physically fit is something that can help anybody’s golf game. We aren’t talking about spending hours at the gym or becoming a bodybuilder. Doing simple things like walking for 30 minutes a day can help. For other basic exercises to incorporate into your routine, Golfsmith published a great article.

#4 Lessons

Refresher lessons are great for every player - beginner to pro. Getting your body used to the game again and getting pointers you may not have known can make the game more enjoyable for you. For lessons at Blueberry Pines, please contact us, and we will take your golf game to the next level.

#5 Clothing

If you packed your golf clothes away, it’s time to pull them out and get them ready to wear again. If items no longer fit, purchase a few new pieces to add to your wardrobe. Also, check your shoes and the spikes. Replace the spikes if they are dull and if shoes no longer fit or are uncomfortable, purchase a new pair. There’s nothing worse than uncomfortable shoes on the golf course.

If you can check off all of the items on the checklist above prior to heading out on the golf course this spring you will be prepared and able to fully enjoy your first golf experience of the season!

Getting to Know Blueberry Pines

Blueberry Pines Golf, Dining, and Event Center, is a hidden gem nestled in the woods of Northern Minnesota, just eight miles south of Park Rapids in Menahga, MN. With the breathtaking views on the 18-hole Championship Golf Course, and the cozy, cabin-like feel of the clubhouse and Ice Creek restaurant, Blueberry Pines is a destination that once you experience you’ll want to keep coming back.

What makes Blueberry Pines so unique? For starters, its location. Blueberry Pines can be easy to miss while driving on the highway, but it is impossible to forget once you have experienced everything they have to offer. From setting your eyes on the large, majestic log cabin style clubhouse, lounge, and restaurant, to being greeted like an old friend from the friendly staff, you are sure to feel right at home.