(From the Gross Men’s Club handbook - updated for 2020 by GMC member Bob Schuette)
Gross Golf Club History:
The Francis A. Gross Golf Course is the best conditioned course in the Minneapolis stable of municipal courses. Opened in 1925, it was the third course opened by the city. Theodore Wirth opened in 1916 and Columbia in 1924. It was built largely in response to the popularity of the game in the roaring 20’s and the success of the Wirth and Columbia clubs. Gross was originally called the Armour Golf Club and was named after the Armour & Company meat packing business located nearby. The Armour Company developed the golf course and then sold the land to the Minneapolis Park Board. This was the first Minneapolis city course with grass tees and greens, and greens fees here were more than double that of Wirth and Columbia, $1 instead of 40 cents for eighteen holes! Gross hosted the 1964 National Amateur Public Links tournament.
Gene Hansen
Gross produced legendary amateur golfer Gene Hansen who won the Minnesota State Amateur, Minnesota State Public Links and Minnesota State Open in each year 1961 and 1962. The course also was the starting point for Minnesota hall of fame golfer Don Berry, the pro emeritus at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park, MN.
The course offers four sets of tees: black, blue, white, and a combo set of blue/white. The course length is 6,715 yards for the black tees, 6,348 yards for blue tees, 4,980 yards for the white tees and 5,550 yards for the combo tees. Gross has gently rolling hills with elevated tees and greens and is considered to be intermediate in difficulty. It is a very walkable golf course with short walks from greens to tees and is well laid out. Gross is known for its small and smooth putting greens with subtle breaks and curves that make putting a challenge.
Facts about Gross Golf Course:
Location: 2201 St Anthony Blvd, Mpls, MN 55418
Phone Number – (612) 230-6524
Website: http://www.minneapolisparks.org
Type: Public, Golf carts available – riding and pull carts.
# of Holes – 18
Par – 71
Irons and mats only driving range
Course Manager – Dave Bratland
Clubhouse: Hot food available, snacks, beer, and various food choices. Limited pro-shop golf goods and friendly employees who make you feel right at home.
Don Berry