If you’ve ever driven down Mississippi River Boulevard in Saint Paul, you’ve seen it. That massive, rolling expanse of green that seems to hug the riverbank just as the road curves toward Marshall Avenue. That's the Town and Country Club Saint Paul MN. It sits there, looking all prestigious and quiet, but honestly, most people driving by have no idea that it actually holds the title for the oldest golf club in Minnesota. Since 1888, this place has been the backdrop for high-society weddings, frustrating rounds of golf, and a whole lot of local history that most residents just sort of take for granted. It isn't just a place for rich people to wear plaid pants. It’s a massive piece of the city's social fabric that has somehow survived the Great Depression, several wars, and the rise of modern "social clubs" that don't have half the soul this place does.
Founded originally as a social club without a golf course—yeah, you read that right—the club eventually realized that this new "golf" craze was more than a passing fad. They laid out the first course in the state. Think about that for a second. Before there was a Hazeltine or an Interlachen, there was Town and Country.
The Golf Course: Short, Tight, and Deceptively Mean
Let’s talk about the golf. If you’re used to those sprawling, 7,500-yard modern courses where you can spray the ball anywhere and still find it, Town and Country will punch you in the mouth. It’s short by modern standards, sitting around 6,300 to 6,500 yards depending on the tees, but the yardage is a total lie. The terrain is the real story here. Because it’s perched on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, the elevation changes are constant. You are almost never standing on flat ground.
The greens? They’re notorious.
They are small and fast. If you end up above the hole on a hot July afternoon, you might as well just pick up your ball and go to the 19th hole because you’re probably going to four-putt. Local legends and longtime members will tell you that the ball always breaks toward the river, even when your eyes are screaming at you that the slope goes the other way. It’s a psychological game. The 16th hole, a par 3 that plays over a massive ravine, is probably one of the most nerve-wracking shots in the Twin Cities. It isn’t long, but the visual of that drop-off makes even low handicappers sweat.
The maintenance is usually top-tier. Even though the club is private, they host several regional qualifiers and high-end amateur events, meaning the turf has to be kept at a championship level. But it's the layout that stays with you. It feels "old world." You can almost imagine guys in wool knickers hacking away at gutta-percha balls back in the 1890s.
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It’s Not Just About the Back Nine
A lot of people think joining a place like Town and Country Club Saint Paul MN is strictly a golf move. That's a mistake. Honestly, a huge chunk of the membership barely touches a club. They're there for the pool, the tennis, and the fact that the dining room has arguably the best view of the Minneapolis skyline you can find on the Saint Paul side of the river.
The pool area is a zoo in the summer. In a good way. It’s where Saint Paul families have spent their Junes and Julys for generations. You’ve got kids on the swim team, parents grabbing a drink at the poolside cafe, and that specific smell of chlorine and expensive sunscreen that defines a Midwest summer. It’s a community. It’s the kind of place where you know the person at the next table because your kids go to the same school or you both shop at the same Lunds & Byerlys on Ford Parkway.
Then there's the clubhouse. It's an architectural gem. It manages to feel formal without being stuffy, which is a hard line to walk. The "Grill" is the heart of the building. It’s where the deals get done and the post-round post-mortems happen.
- The Terrace: If you can snag a seat here at sunset, do it. You see the river, the lights of the city, and the silhouettes of the oak trees.
- The Ballroom: If you grew up in a certain circle in Saint Paul, you’ve probably been to a wedding here. Or a bar mitzvah. Or a retirement party. It's a classic venue that doesn't need a bunch of Pinterest decorations to look good.
- Fitness and Tennis: They’ve updated these facilities recently to keep up with the fancy gym chains, and the clay tennis courts are some of the best-maintained in the region.
The Membership Reality Check
Is it expensive? Yeah. It’s a private club. But it’s not "Augusta National" expensive. There’s a misconception that you need to be a billionaire to walk through the doors. While the initiation fees and monthly dues are definitely a significant investment, the club offers different tiers—social memberships, junior memberships for the under-40 crowd, and full golf privileges.
The "Junior" membership is actually a pretty smart play for younger professionals in the Twin Cities. It allows people to get their foot in the door at a lower price point before they hit their peak earning years. But be warned: there is often a waitlist. This isn't a club that’s desperate for members. They’ve been stable for over a century, which gives them the luxury of being picky about who they let in. They want people who are going to show up, use the facilities, and respect the traditions.
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A History That Actually Matters
Most "historic" places in the suburbs were built in 1994. Town and Country is different. When this club started, Saint Paul was the dominant city and Minneapolis was still the upstart neighbor. The club’s founding members were the titans of industry—the guys who built the railroads and the mills.
There's a story—likely true—that the very first "course" was just five holes laid out in a cow pasture. The players had to shoo away the livestock before they could tee off. We've come a long way from cows, but that rugged, "let's just play" spirit still kind of exists there. It’s less "look at my wealth" and more "look at this history."
It’s also worth noting the club’s role in the neighborhood. Unlike some private enclaves that wall themselves off, Town and Country is a landmark that defines the Merriam Park and Desnoyer Park areas. It provides a massive green lung for the city. Even if you aren't a member, the presence of the club keeps the surrounding property values sky-high and maintains the aesthetic integrity of the river bluff.
The "River" Factor
You cannot talk about this place without talking about the Mississippi. The river is the club's defining feature. It affects the wind, it affects the microclimate, and it definitely affects the vibe. On a humid August evening, you get that cool breeze coming off the water that makes the patio bearable when the rest of the city is sweltering.
The club has done a decent job over the years of managing the bluff. Erosion is a real threat to any property along the Mississippi, and they’ve invested heavily in shoring up the hillsides. It’s a constant battle with nature, but it’s what gives the course its character. Without those bluffs, it would just be another flat parkland course.
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What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest myth? That it’s a "boys' club." Maybe in 1920, sure. But today? The female membership is massive and active. The women’s golf programs are some of the most competitive and well-attended in the state. The social calendar is geared heavily toward families, with events for kids that go way beyond just a "Santa brunch." We're talking movie nights on the lawn, junior golf academies, and swim meets that draw hundreds of people.
Another misconception is that it’s strictly for the old-money elites of Summit Avenue. While there’s certainly plenty of that, the membership has diversified a lot. You’ve got tech entrepreneurs from Minneapolis, doctors from the Mayo clinic satellites, and plenty of people who just really, really like golf and live in the neighborhood.
Practical Insights for the Interested
If you’re actually thinking about looking into Town and Country Club Saint Paul MN, don’t just cold-call the front desk and ask for a price list. That’s not how these places work.
- Find a Sponsor: You usually need a member to vouch for you. If you don't know anyone, start looking through your LinkedIn or your neighborhood groups. Chances are, you’re only one or two degrees of separation away from a member.
- Trial Events: The club occasionally holds open houses or "prospective member" mixers. These are the best ways to get a feel for the culture without the pressure of a formal tour.
- Check the Reciprocal List: One of the best perks of T&C is their reciprocal agreement with other clubs. If you travel for business, being a member here can get you into high-end clubs in other cities. It’s a massive value-add that people often overlook.
- The Off-Season: Don't forget that the club is active in the winter. Platform tennis (or "paddle") is huge here. It’s played outside in the freezing cold on heated courts, usually with a lot of craft beer and laughs involved. It’s the only way some members survive the Minnesota January.
A Solid Local Institution
Town and Country isn't trying to be the flashiest club in the world. It’s not trying to be a "lifestyle brand" for influencers. It’s a Saint Paul institution that knows exactly what it is: a high-quality, historically significant, family-oriented club with a killer view and a golf course that will make you want to throw your bags into the Mississippi.
Whether you're there for the history, the 16th hole, or just a really good burger on the patio, it remains one of the most significant landmarks in the Twin Cities. It represents a bridge between the old-school grandeur of 19th-century Minnesota and the modern, active lifestyle of today's Saint Paul residents.
Next Steps for Engagement
If you're curious about the specific history of the grounds, the club's archives are occasionally open for historical researchers or through organized local tours. For those looking at membership, the most direct path is to contact the Membership Director to schedule a private tour of the facilities, which allows you to see the recent clubhouse renovations firsthand. If you're just a golfer looking to play the course, keep an eye on the Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) tournament calendar, as they frequently host public-access amateur events on these historic fairways. Finally, if you are a neighbor, simply walking the public paths along the Mississippi River Boulevard provides the best external perspective of the course’s unique topography and river-bluff integration.