Walk onto the first tee at Oak Marsh Golf Course and Event Center on a Tuesday morning and you’ll feel it immediately. It isn't just the smell of fresh-cut marsh grass or the way the sun hits the water hazards. It’s the vibe. It feels like a neighborhood hangout that happens to have a championship-level golf course attached to it.
Most people in the Twin Cities think they have to drive two hours north to Brainerd to get a true marshland golf experience. They’re wrong. Honestly, you can find it right in Oakdale, just a short skip from St. Paul. This isn't some stuffy, private country club where you need a secret handshake and a vintage sweater to get a tee time. It’s public. It’s accessible. And it’s surprisingly difficult if you don't respect the water.
The Reality of Playing Oak Marsh Golf Course and Event Center
Bobby Hillis designed this place back in the mid-90s, and he clearly had a specific vision in mind. He didn't want to just move dirt; he wanted to work with the wetlands. The result is a par-70 layout that plays a bit shorter on the scorecard—roughly 6,100 yards from the back tees—but don't let that number fool you into thinking it's a pushover.
Water. It’s everywhere.
You’ll find yourself staring down hazards on 13 out of the 18 holes. That is a lot of potential for lost Pro V1s. If you’re the kind of golfer who swings for the fences every time, Oak Marsh will eat you alive. It’s a "target golf" course, meaning you have to actually think about where your ball is going to land rather than just how far it goes. Sometimes, the smart play is a 5-iron off the tee. I know, it hurts the ego, but it saves the scorecard.
The marshland setting means the ground can stay a bit soft after a Minnesota rainstorm, but the greens? They’re usually remarkably firm and true. They aren't massive, undulating monsters like you see on TV, but they require a delicate touch. If you’re above the hole on a sunny July afternoon, good luck.
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What the Scorecard Doesn’t Tell You
The par 3s here are the real soul of the course. They aren't just "filler" holes. Many of them require carries over the marsh that can get into your head, especially when the wind starts whipping across the open sections of the property.
Then there’s the Willow Glen event space. People often forget that this isn't just a place to hit a ball into a hole. The "Event Center" part of the name is doing a lot of heavy lifting. It's one of those rare spots that can host a 200-person wedding on a Saturday night without making the golfers on the 18th green feel like they’re crashing a party. The layout of the clubhouse separates the "pro shop" grit from the "ballroom" glam quite effectively.
Why the Event Center is More Than a Wedding Factory
If you’ve ever been to a corporate retreat in a windowless hotel basement, you know how soul-crushing it can be. Oak Marsh flips that script. The Willow Glen room has these massive floor-to-ceiling windows that look right out over the course. It makes a three-hour quarterly budget meeting significantly more bearable when you can watch someone shank a shot into the reeds while you’re talking about year-over-year growth.
- Capacity matters: They can seat up to 300 people. That's a lot of cousins at a wedding.
- The Food: It’s better than "golf course food." Usually, you expect a soggy burger, but the catering here—handled by the same crew that runs the on-site Grille—actually tries. Think heavy appetizers that people actually want to eat, like walleye cakes or high-end sliders.
- The Patio: This is the crown jewel. In the fall, when the Minnesota oaks are turning orange and red, sitting on that patio with a drink is basically peak Midwest living.
The staff at the Oak Marsh Golf Course and Event Center have a reputation for being... well, human. In an industry that is increasingly automated and corporate, the tournament coordinators here actually answer their phones. They know the local high school teams that practice here. They know the regulars.
A Different Perspective on "Short" Courses
There is a weird stigma in the golf world against courses that aren't 7,200 yards long. We've been conditioned by the PGA Tour to think that if it isn't a "monster," it isn't a "test."
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That’s nonsense.
Oak Marsh proves that precision is a better teacher than power. Because the course is a par 70, you get a different rhythm. You get more opportunities to use your short irons. You actually have to manage your miss-hits. If you miss right on hole 4, you're wet. If you miss left on hole 11, you're in the tall stuff. It forces you to be a better golfer, not just a harder hitter.
Also, it's walkable. In an era where everyone is tethered to a golf cart, Oak Marsh is a fantastic walk. It’s relatively flat, the distances between greens and tees are sensible, and you actually get to see the wildlife. You'll see blue herons, turtles, and the occasional deer that seems entirely unimpressed by your birdie putt.
The Grille: Not Your Average Clubhouse
Let’s talk about the 19th hole. The Oak Marsh Grille is where the "community" part of this place really shines. It’s not just for golfers. You’ll see people from the surrounding Oakdale neighborhoods coming in just for lunch.
The menu is standard American fare, but it’s done with a bit more care than the average muni. The beer list usually features a few local Minnesota brews, which is a nice touch. It’s the kind of place where you can sit in your golf cleats and not feel out of place, but you could also bring your parents for a nice Sunday lunch.
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Managing the Marsh: Tips for Your First Round
If you’re heading out there for the first time, keep these three things in mind.
- Leave the driver in the bag more than you want to. Seriously. The landing zones tighten up significantly the further down the fairway you go. A 220-yard shot in the middle is infinitely better than a 280-yard shot in the cattails.
- Watch the wind. Because the course is built on open marshland, there isn't much to block the breeze. A one-club wind can easily turn into a two-club wind when the ball gets above the tree line.
- Check the event calendar. If you’re planning a big group outing, call ahead. Because they are such a popular event center, they often have shotguns or large weddings that might affect range availability or patio seating.
It's also worth noting that the practice facility is solid. They have a full driving range and a putting green that actually mimics the speed of the course greens. Too many courses have a "slow" practice green and "fast" course greens, which is a recipe for a three-putt on the first hole. Oak Marsh stays consistent.
The Local Impact
The Oak Marsh Golf Course and Event Center doesn't just exist in a vacuum. It’s a huge part of the Oakdale identity. It hosts charity scrambles that raise thousands for local schools and nonprofits. It provides summer jobs for local kids. It’s a green space in a part of the suburbs that is seeing more and more concrete every year.
There’s a certain "lived-in" feel to the place. The trophies in the cases aren't just for show; they’re the history of the local leagues. The photos on the wall are of real people who have played there for thirty years. It has soul.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
- Book Early: Tee times on weekend mornings fill up fast, especially during the peak Minnesota summer months (June–August). Use their online portal; it's usually more up-to-date than the third-party apps.
- Dress the Part (Mostly): While they are casual, they still appreciate standard golf attire. Collared shirts are the norm, but you won't get kicked out for wearing a high-quality tech tee.
- Plan Your Event Mid-Week: If you're looking at the event center for a business meeting or a smaller party, Tuesdays and Wednesdays often have better rates and more flexibility than the "wedding-heavy" weekends.
- Bring Extra Balls: I can't stress this enough. The marsh is hungry. Even if you're a low-handicapper, a stray gust of wind can put you in a spot where recovery is impossible.
- Try the Walleye: If it’s on the seasonal menu at the Grille, get it. You’re in Minnesota; it’s practically a requirement.
If you are looking for a place that balances a challenging round of golf with a professional, scenic event space, this is it. It’s not trying to be Pebble Beach, and it’s not trying to be a dive bar. It’s Oak Marsh. It’s consistent, it’s fair, and it’s one of the best values in the East Metro.
The next time you’re debating where to host a tournament or where to spend a Saturday morning, give the marsh a chance. Just watch out for the water on hole 18—it’s swallowed more "hero shots" than anyone cares to admit.