Zumbro Valley Golf Course

The Zumbro Valley Golf Course is located between Mantorville and Kasson on County Road 15, east of Highway 57. I’m going to tell you something that most people don’t know. You do not have to be a member of the golf club to use the club house. Anyone can stop in and have a drink or a snack at the Bunker Bar, whether they are a member or not. In addition to beer, wine, and mixed drinks, they sell pizza and hot dogs.
The ZVGC draws thousands of people to the area each season. They host over ten golf tournaments each year, with many of the tournaments having over 100 participants. The tournaments are fund raisers for memorials and non-profit organizations.
Although the golf season will come to a close when winter arrives, the club house has activities into the holiday season. I talked to Katie Bolin, the Club House Manager, and learned about the activities planned for November and December.
On Thanksgiving Eve, the club house will host an event called “Drinksgiving.” The November 23 event will start at 4:00 in the afternoon and go until close. There will be close-out prices on the beer, wine, and pop. The Bunker Bar is an “On-Sale” establishment, so the beverages must be consumed on site except for the pop. Drinksgiving includes a Drain the Kegs Party. There will be special prices on tap beer until the kegs are empty.
A Holiday Market will be held at the club house on the first two Saturdays in December. Different vendors will be setting up displays of gift items to sell for the holiday season. Some of the items will be jewelry, paintings from a local artist and wooden gifts made by a local woodworker.
Katie told me there is room for more vendors. If you are interested, please call Katie at (507) 635-2821.
The Holiday Market will include a Boozy Hot Chocolate Bar. Food will be available for sale by Hidden Pines Bar and Grill. The Holiday Market will be open from 10:00 to 4:00 on December 3 and 10. If you are looking for a gift that is unique and that provides joy for a long period of time, consider purchasing a gift membership to the Zumbro Valley Golf Course.
After the Bunker Bar closes for the season, they will re-open in March on Saint Patrick’s Day. In May, they always have a Cinco de Mayo party. I still run into people that believe Cinco de Mayo is a Mayo Clinic party. This causes me to go into a lengthy description of Mexican history.
The Zumbro Valley Golf Course is a magnet for those people seeking recreation, entertainment, and dining. The recent addition of Hidden Pines Bar and Grill to the second level of the club house has rounded out the offerings of the ZVGC. The course website says, “Built in 1926, our nine-hole course features breathtaking views of the Zumbro River valley. The windy Zumbro River meanders across four of the holes. We are known for our challenging grades and small, but true greens.”
The ZVGC is treasured by many in the area. And remember; you do not need to be a member to make purchases at the club house.
Terry Eckstein is a local businessperson and president of the Mantorville Chamber of Commerce.
PHOTO:  Adventures  in Kasson Mantorville Terry Eckstein