If you’ve spent any time driving through the north suburbs of the Twin Cities, you know the vibe. It’s a lot of strip malls and quiet residential streets. But tucked away behind a modest stone entrance on Eustis Street is something that honestly feels like a time capsule. Midland Hills Country Club Roseville MN isn't your typical suburban golf course. It’s a relic of a golden age, designed by a man who basically defined what American golf should look like: Seth Raynor.
Most people just see a private club. They see the pool or the wedding venue photos on Instagram. But for the golf purists? This place is a holy grail of "Template Holes." Raynor wasn't just a designer; he was an associate of Charles Blair Macdonald, the father of American golf architecture. Together, they brought concepts from the UK—holes like the Redan, the Biarritz, and the Eden—and dropped them into the rolling hills of Minnesota.
It’s hilly. Like, surprisingly hilly.
Most golfers expect the Midwest to be flat as a pancake, but Midland Hills takes advantage of a glacial moraine. You’re constantly dealing with uneven lies and elevation changes that make you rethink your club selection. It's frustrating. It's brilliant. It's why this club has survived for over a century while others have faded into obscurity or been turned into housing developments.
The Seth Raynor Signature: More Than Just Grass
When people talk about Midland Hills Country Club Roseville MN, they usually lead with the name Seth Raynor. If you aren't a "golf nerd," that name might not mean much. But in the world of architecture, it's like saying a building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Raynor was a surveyor by trade. He didn't play much golf, which is probably why his courses are so geometric and bold. He used straight lines and sharp angles where other architects used soft curves. At Midland Hills, which opened its current iteration in 1921, you see this in the massive, squared-off green complexes.
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Take the 4th hole, for example. It’s a classic "Short" template. The green is enormous, surrounded by terrifyingly deep bunkers. If you miss, you aren't just in the sand; you're in a pit of despair. That sounds dramatic, but ask anyone who has tried to save par there on a Sunday afternoon.
Why "Template Holes" Are Such a Big Deal
A template hole is basically a "best of" hit from the British Isles. Raynor and Macdonald believed that certain golf holes were perfect, so they recreated those strategic challenges everywhere they went. At Midland Hills, you'll find:
- The Redan: A par 3 where the green slopes away from you. You have to use the kick-point to funnel the ball toward the hole. It's counterintuitive. It’s weird. It’s iconic.
- The Eden: Based on the 11th at St. Andrews. It's guarded by the "Hill" and "Strath" bunkers.
- The Biarritz: Usually a long par 3 with a massive swale or "valley" running through the middle of the green.
The genius here is that even though the technology of golf clubs has changed—we hit the ball way further than they did in 1921—the geometry of these holes still works. They force you to think. You can't just "bomb and gouge" your way through Midland Hills. The terrain won't let you.
Living Through a Century of Change in Roseville
Midland Hills didn't just appear out of nowhere. It actually started in a different location entirely, closer to the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus. When the club moved to its current 160-acre site in Roseville, it was essentially out in the country. Now, it’s a green oasis surrounded by the urban sprawl of the Twin Cities.
There is a sense of community here that is hard to find in the newer, more "corporate" clubs. You see it in the grill room. You see it at the practice range. It’s not just about golf; it’s about a membership that has, in many cases, been passed down through generations.
But let's be real: private clubs have faced a lot of pressure lately. Between the 2008 recession and the changing habits of younger families, the "traditional" country club model had to evolve. Midland Hills Country Club Roseville MN did something smart. They invested in the course and the clubhouse without losing the soul of the place. They kept the focus on the golf architecture while making the social side feel more approachable.
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The 2021 centennial was a big moment for them. It wasn't just a party; it was a validation that their Seth Raynor bones were worth preserving. While other clubs were "modernizing" their courses by removing trees or flattening greens, Midland Hills leaned into its history.
What Most People Get Wrong About Private Clubs
There’s this stereotype that private clubs are stuffy, silent places where everyone wears a blue blazer. At Midland Hills, it's a bit different. Yes, there’s a dress code. Yes, it’s exclusive. But the vibe is decidedly Minnesotan. It’s "Midwest Nice" with a competitive edge.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the course is easy because it isn't 7,500 yards long.
Wrong.
The par is 70, and it plays around 6,100 to 6,500 yards depending on the tees. On paper, a low handicapper thinks they’re going to tear it up. Then they get on those greens. The interior contours of a Raynor green can make a three-foot putt feel like a mountain climb.
If you aren't used to the speed and the subtle breaks, you will leave with a bruised ego.
Another thing people forget? The "Country Club" part isn't just a fancy name. The tennis programs and the pool are huge draws for families in Roseville and Shoreview. In the winter, the club doesn't just go dark. There's cross-country skiing and social events that keep the lights on. It’s a year-round hub, which is necessary when you live in a state where the ground is frozen for five months.
Navigating the Membership Question
People often ask: "Is it worth it?"
Honestly, it depends on what you value. If you just want to play 18 holes once a month, a membership at Midland Hills Country Club Roseville MN probably doesn't make financial sense. There are plenty of great public tracks like Keller or Loggers Trail nearby.
But if you want:
- Fast pace of play: You can zip around in under four hours.
- Architectural significance: Playing a Raynor course every day is a masterclass in strategy.
- Social connection: The networking and friendships are real.
The club offers different tiers, including junior memberships for those under 40, which has been a huge factor in keeping the membership young and active. They’ve managed to avoid the "aging out" problem that has killed off other historic clubs.
The Restoration Work
In recent years, the club has worked with architects like Jim Urbina—a guy who is basically the whisperer of Seth Raynor designs. The goal was to bring back the "lost" features. Over decades, trees grow, bunkers shrink, and greens lose their edges. Urbina's work is about peeling back those layers of "overgrowth" to reveal the original intent.
When you see the clean lines of the bunkers and the expanded green surfaces today, you’re seeing what Raynor intended back in the 20s. It’s crisp. It’s intentional.
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Practical Insights for Visitors and Prospective Members
If you’re lucky enough to get an invite to play as a guest, or if you’re looking into joining, here is the ground truth on how to handle Midland Hills Country Club Roseville MN.
Don't ignore the practice green. Seriously. Spend twenty minutes there. The greens at Midland Hills are notoriously fast and firm. You need to get the "feel" for the speed before you hit the first tee, or you’ll be three-putting your way through the front nine.
Pack your walking shoes. While they have carts, Midland Hills is a classic walking course. The routing flows naturally, and walking allows you to really appreciate the elevation changes. It’s a workout, especially the climb up to the clubhouse on the 18th, but it's the way the game was meant to be played here.
Study the templates. Before you go, Google "Seth Raynor template holes." When you stand on the tee of a par 3 and realize you're looking at a version of a hole from Scotland, the experience becomes much more than just hitting a ball. It becomes a history lesson.
Check the calendar. If you’re looking at the club for an event or wedding, know that the ballroom has one of the best views in the city, overlooking the course's rolling hills. However, because it's a private club, member events always take priority. Book early—like, a year in advance early.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are interested in the world of Midland Hills, here is how you should move forward:
- For the Golf History Buff: Research the "Seth Raynor Society." They have incredible archives on the original sketches of the course and how it compares to other Raynor gems like Fishers Island or Shoreacres.
- For the Local Resident: Keep an eye on the Roseville community calendars. While the golf course is private, the club occasionally hosts community-focused events or open houses that allow a peek behind the curtain.
- For the Prospective Member: Don't just look at the website. Reach out to the membership director and ask for a tour. More importantly, ask to play a round. You can't understand a Raynor course by looking at photos; you have to feel the slopes and see the sightlines for yourself.
- For the Event Planner: Look into the "Sponsored Guest" policy. If you know a member, hosting a corporate retreat or a smaller private dinner at the club provides access to the facilities without the full commitment of a membership.
Midland Hills isn't trying to be the flashiest club in Minnesota. It doesn't have a 30,000-square-foot spa or a fleet of designer carts. What it has is a layout that challenges the best players in the state and a history that connects Roseville to the very roots of American golf. Whether you’re standing on the "Short" 4th or enjoying a drink on the patio, you’re part of a century-long tradition that isn't slowing down anytime soon.