Historic Keller Golf Course to begin renovation

Ramsey County (Minnesota), through its Parks and Recreation Department, has named Richard Mandell Golf Architecture (RMGA) and its principal, Richard Mandell, to direct a renovation of the historic Keller Golf Course in Maplewood.  Selected from seventeen other candidates throughout the country, Mandell will provide all design services through renovation of the golf course.  The project will begin in the fall of 2012 and the course will re-open in May of 2014.

Keller Golf Course, Ramsey County’s premier golf facility, first opened in 1929. This historic course has hosted several PGA and LPGA golf tournaments, including the Saint Paul Open (1930-1968), the PGA Championship (1932, 1954), the Western Open (1949), and the Patty Berg Golf Classic (1970-1980).  The USGA’s Amateur Public Links Championship was held there in 1931.

“We were attracted to Richard Mandell because of his minimalist approach to renovating classic golf courses and his interest in involving the public golfer throughout the design process” said Kevin Finley, the Director of Golf Operations for Ramsey County.  “The plan is to polish the gem, and not change the character of the property”, said Mandell. “I take this commission as an absolute top responsibility to the golfers of Ramsey County.  There are too many people who love this course to make significant changes.  My objective, with golfer input, is to solve problems and update the course for another successful seventy years or more”

RMGA is a golf course architecture firm located in Pinehurst, North Carolina. In 2011, Mandell’s work at the Army Navy CC in Arlington, Virginia was awarded the prestigious Legacy Award for Renovation of the Year in Golf Course Industry.  Also in 2011, Mandell’s work at The Reserve GC in South Carolina was recognized by GolfInc. Magazine with an award for Renovation of the Year.  For more information about RMGA, go to www.golf-architecture.com.