You’ve probably driven past the unassuming entrance on Fulham Street in Roseville a dozen times without realizing what’s tucked away behind those trees. It’s Midland Hills Country Club. While some of the flashy new clubs in the Twin Cities try to outdo each other with resort-style water parks and glass-walled fitness centers, Midland Hills stays remarkably focused on what actually matters to people who love the game. It’s a golf club. A real one.
Seth Raynor designed it. If you know golf architecture, that name carries a massive amount of weight. Raynor was the protégé of C.B. Macdonald, the father of American golf architecture. Between 1915 and 1921, they carved out a masterpiece on this rolling terrain. It isn't just a patch of grass in the suburbs; it's a living piece of sports history that has survived the Great Depression, several renovations, and the changing whims of the modern golfer.
Honestly, the "Hills" in the name isn't just marketing fluff. The topography here is surprisingly aggressive for the Midwest. You get these massive, sweeping elevation changes that force you to think about every single approach shot. It’s not just about hitting it long. It’s about not ending up in a spot where you’re staring at a blind green from a side-hill lie.
The Seth Raynor Signature: Geometry in the Grass
Most people don't realize that Midland Hills is one of the few places where you can still see "Template Holes" in their natural habitat. Raynor didn't just build holes; he recreated classic designs from the UK.
Take the "Biarritz" hole. It’s famous for a deep swale—a literal trench—running through the middle of the green. If the pin is in the back and you land in the front, you’re basically putting through a valley. It's frustrating. It's brilliant. It's exactly why people pay a premium to play here. You also have the "Redan," which is a par 3 that slopes away from the golfer. It looks impossible from the tee, but if you use the contours right, the ball kicks perfectly toward the hole.
It feels different from a modern course. Modern courses are often "penal," meaning if you miss, you're in a pond or a forest. Midland Hills is "strategic." You can miss, but you'll have a hell of a time saving par because the angles are so precise.
A Modern Touch Without Losing the Soul
The club didn't just sit still and let the grass grow over its history. Back in the early 2000s, they brought in Jim Urbina and Tom Doak’s firm, Renaissance Golf Design. These guys are the gold standard for restoration. They didn't come in to "fix" the course; they came in to peel back the layers of time and find Raynor’s original intent.
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They restored the bunkering. They widened the fairways to bring those strategic angles back into play. Before the renovation, trees had encroached so much that the course felt cramped. Now, it breathes. You can see the horizon. You can see the scale of the land.
More Than Just a 18-Hole Loop
You might think a club this historic would be stuffy. Kinda like those old-school places where you can't wear jeans and everyone whispers in the dining room.
Midland Hills has shifted.
The membership has trended younger over the last decade. You’ll see families on the patio on a Tuesday night, not just retired executives. The clubhouse, which underwent a massive $8 million renovation not too long ago, is designed for actual living. It has that "Upper Midwest" warmth—lots of wood, big windows, and a view of the 18th hole that is, frankly, one of the best in the state.
Food is a big deal here. Chef-led kitchens in private clubs are under a lot of pressure these days because they aren't just competing with other clubs; they’re competing with the high-end bistros in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The menu at Midland isn't just burgers and club sandwiches. They do seasonal rotations, craft cocktails, and wine dinners that actually sell out.
The Social Friction of Private Clubs
Let's be real: private clubs are an investment. You have the initiation fee, the monthly dues, and the food minimums. For a lot of people, that’s a dealbreaker.
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But there’s a nuance here. Unlike some of the ultra-exclusive clubs in Wayzata or Edina, Midland Hills feels more approachable. It’s situated perfectly between the two downtowns. If you live in St. Paul or work at the University of Minnesota, it’s practically in your backyard. That proximity creates a specific kind of community. It’s not a "weekend-only" destination. It’s a "stop by for nine holes after work" kind of place.
What Actually Happens Behind the Gates?
If you’re considering joining or just curious about the hype, you have to look at the amenities beyond the fairways.
- Practice Facilities: They have a legitimate range and short-game area. This is where the serious players hang out.
- The Pro Shop: It’s consistently rated as one of the best in the region. They don't just sell shirts; they do high-tech club fitting.
- Events: From weddings to corporate retreats, the ballroom is a staple for the Roseville community. It’s one of those spaces that manages to be grand without feeling cold.
One thing that often gets overlooked is the caddie program. Midland Hills still emphasizes the traditional walk. Seeing a teenager hauling a bag up those hills is a throwback to a different era of golf, and it’s something the membership takes a lot of pride in supporting. It's one of the ways they keep the "spirit of the game" alive.
The Environmental Reality
Golf courses often get a bad rap for water usage and chemicals. Midland Hills has been proactive about this. They use integrated pest management and have worked on naturalizing certain areas of the course to reduce the need for constant mowing and watering. It’s a delicate balance when you’re trying to maintain "country club" conditions while being mindful of the local ecosystem, especially in a residential area like Roseville.
Is It Worth the Hype?
If you want a flat course where you can spray the ball anywhere and still score, you’ll hate Midland Hills. It will eat you alive. The greens are fast, the slopes are deceptive, and the wind coming off the open spaces can be brutal.
But if you appreciate the "Golden Age" of golf—the era when architects used the earth rather than bulldozers to create challenge—then there isn't a better spot in the Twin Cities. It feels authentic.
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It’s also worth noting the waitlist. Like many private clubs post-2020, Midland Hills saw a surge in interest. It’s not the kind of place where you can just sign a check and start playing tomorrow. There’s a process. There’s a vetting. That might sound elitist, but it’s actually what preserves the culture of the club. They want people who are going to show up, respect the course, and contribute to the atmosphere.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Member
If you’re thinking about making the leap into a private club like Midland Hills, don't just look at the website. Websites are designed to look perfect.
Request a Guest Round
Most clubs will allow a "prospective member" round. Play the course. Don't just play it—walk it. See if your knees can handle those hills on a humid July afternoon.
Talk to the Members in the Grille
The course is only half the experience. The people are the other half. Hang out on the patio after your round. Is the vibe too stiff? Is it too rowdy? You’re going to be spending a lot of time (and money) with these people, so make sure they’re your kind of crowd.
Analyze the Financial Commitment
Ask for the full breakdown. Not just the dues, but the capital assessments, the locker fees, and the guest rates. Private clubs are notorious for "add-ons," and you want to know exactly what the annual "all-in" cost looks like before you commit to an initiation fee.
Consider the Location
The best club in the world is useless if it’s a 45-minute drive. The real value of Midland Hills is its central location. If you can get there in 15 minutes, you’ll use it three times a week. If it’s a slog through traffic, you’ll barely use it three times a month.
Midland Hills remains a cornerstone of Minnesota golf because it refuses to be anything other than what it is: a challenging, historic, and beautifully maintained sanctuary in the heart of the suburbs. Whether you're a scratch golfer chasing the ghost of Seth Raynor or a family looking for a social hub, the club offers a specific kind of quality that’s becoming harder to find. It’s not just about the status; it’s about the soil, the slopes, and the people who keep the tradition going.