Ice Skating Rink

Over the past few years we have made significant improvements to the scope of our outdoor winter activities. Paddle tennis expanded from 2 courts to 4, we have invested in a more powerful snowmobile for pulling the cross country ski groomer, we purchased a larger and more technically advanced ski trail groomer and we continue to provide improvements to our skating rink.  

This year, due to the warmer temperatures, it's taken a few more weeks into December to have the skating rink ready for action.  One of the biggest improvements you will see is in the form of the night lighting.  We replaced some lights on court 4 of the paddle courts and utilized the old lights for the skating rink.  We hope you enjoy the improvement.  

Skating is open all day and into the night until 10pm.  Please be aware, if the temperatures rise above freezing we may need to close the rink to protect the ice from becoming damaged.  Also if you are using the hockey nets, please remove the nets from the ice and place them off the rink.  This will also insure we maintain quality ice through out the season.  With the late start to the outdoor skating season there are only about 6 weeks remaining before the sun begins to warm enough on a consistent basis where we can no longer maintain the ice.  So please come out and enjoy the limited season that we have this year.

 We had a great freeze and have some really good ice to skate on.

 The new lighting system for the rink. More powerful lights and better coverage of the entire rink.

Attention Turf Students, Now Accepting Applications

This is a first for me, posting an Internship opening on my blog, but what the heck, why not?  Every year Turfgrass students have the opportunity to work on our staff and learn valuable experiences, experiences that will hopefully, add to their viability in the job market down the road.  Our staff usually consists of 1-2 students from the United States as well as an International Trainee.

The Minikahda Club Grounds Department has been host to 8 trainees in the past 11 years.  Trainees have come from Scotland, South Africa, France, Germany (3) and this year we hosted a Trainee from China.  This is actually this trainees second tour to The Minikahda Club.  Hao Wang, aka Tony, first joined us in 2008 as a complete greenhorn, but we enjoyed Tony so much in 2008 and he enjoyed his experience as well so he came back to learn from us for a 2nd time.  International turfgrass students interested in an opportunity to learn here at The Minikahda Club or in the United States can contact Communicating for Agriculture, (www.caep.org) in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  They can assist you with placement as well as the application process.  We really enjoy the experience the International trainees bring to our staff and it can become an excellent learning experience for both parties.  With the friendships I have made I also see it as a great way to set up my future world golf tour ;)

Turf students interested in a internship, please read the post below:

The Minikahda Club is a private, 18-hole, Donald Ross design golf course, entering our 114^th year of operation.  In 2003 the club finished a major restoration project that included rebuilding tees, bunkers, green expansions, and the installation of a new irrigation system.  Currently the club just completed a $1.2 million renovation of our practice facility and tennis courts.

Requirements:

Must be currently enrolled in a 2 or 4-year turf program.

Previous golf course experience

Interns will be required to obtain a Minnesota pesticide applicators license which will be paid for by the club.

Wage:

$10.50-11.50/hr

Benefits:

Meal-plan

Free golfing privileges,

Uniforms

Housing

Attendance at local MGCSA events as well as fees paid for MGCSA membership.

Excellent working environment

Quality learning experience

An opportunity to work at one of the finest country clubs in the country.

Interns will have the opportunity to gain experience in a majority of aspects in our maintenance operation.  We have developed an extensive training program that will allow the trainee to gain the practical experience needed to get a head start in the business.  You will have one on one opportunities with me as well as my assistants and have every opportunity learn as much about the business as you desire. 

The application deadline is January 15th, 2012

If you have questions regarding our program, please call me at 612-926-4167.

Cover letter, resume and references should be mailed or emailed to:

Jeff Johnson

Golf Course Superintendent

The Minikahda Club

3205 Excelsior Blvd.

Minneapolis, MN  55416

jjohnson@theminikahdaclub.com