Jim Nantz, his former college teammate and their dream come true.
Mark Haugejorde, the chairman of Tepetonka – a 228 acre private golf resort two hours west from the Twin Cities – is expected to break ground in this year. Haugejorde has signed the design team of OCM Golf, which includes PGA Tour pros Geoff Ogilvy and Mike Cocking, to create its first original U.S. course. Haugejorde also announced that CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz would serve as a consultant for the short course, The Prox.
Nantz shared his dream of being a golf course architect if he wasn’t a sportscaster during the “Five Clubs” podcast on March 1, with Gary Williams, Gil Hanse, ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas and course architect Gil Hanse.
Haugejorde was listening to a podcast in his office when his former teammate, who he played with on the University of Houston golf team shared his desire to leave his mark in the Earth. Nantz’s words stopped Haugejorde in his tracks.
Haugejorde remembered. It hit me immediately. Jim was going to be involved in the founding members, but I thought he could play a bigger role.
Jim Nantz poses with Mike Schultz and Mark Haugejorde from the Tepetonka Club in Oak Hill, during the 2023 PGA Championship. (Adam Schupak/Golfweek)
Nantz has only designed one hole before, a replica of the par-3 7th hole at Pebble Beach. It was built in his own backyard.
Nantz said Golfweek, “I have dreamed of this for years.” “I’m excited to get my mud boots on and walk out with these guys and discuss it.” The OCM team is a genius. I know my place here. I’m excited to be able to learn and give them a little advice – “Move that over here.”
Cocking, of OCM, said that after spending time with Jim in the past few months it was clear that he is passionate about golf course design. He has a particular interest in short courses. The Prox will be integrated in Tepetonka’s practice facility and we look forward to working with Jim. Jim’s input and experience will prove invaluable to what we are creating.
Haugejorde is following the footsteps of his dad, who, during his military service, was asked to construct a golf club for an officer’s club located in Japan in 1947. His father led the effort to build Little Crow Country Club, a public golf course in West Central Minnesota. It is now a 27 hole facility called Little Crow Resort. Haugejorde discovered land for Tepetonka near where he went pheasant-hunting as a child. Haugejorde’s intern found a newspaper article mentioning a Tepetonka hotel on Green Lake.
The article stated that people will come from neighboring States to enjoy the great fishing and clean water. Haugejorde: “I thought they were coming from neighboring States to enjoy the great golf.” Tepetonka is the name of a big house and it’s gaining traction.
Haugejorde made a similar leap by signing OCM to be his design team. Gregg Tryhus of Grayhawk Development, who is the founder and visionary behind Whisper Rock in Scottsdale, Arizona (where Ogilvy plays) highly recommended Ogilvy. Tim Herron, one of Minnesota’s most popular golfing sons, also endorsed the recommendation. Haugejorde checked the work of the firm at Shady Oaks, Fort Worth, Texas. But again, it was a Podcast that played an important role in his choice. Haugejorde, while driving across Florida to meet his first two members of the team, listened to a Cocking interview.
Haugejorde replied, “I swear if possible, that he was speaking to me.”
OCM is an Australian company that has also been tasked with a major renovation of Medinah No. The Australian-based OCM, which is also renovating Medinah No.
A map of the course routing of Tepetonka, a private destination golf course being built west of Minneapolis by the design firm OCM. (Courtesy Tepetonka)
Tepetonka, Minnesota’s private golf destination is the first in the country despite Minnesota being known for hosting world-class events at historic venues. Haugejorde stated that the club will include a supperclub and lodging. Douglas Fredrikson Architects will design the clubhouse, as well as other buildings. Mike Schultz will serve as director of golf emeritus. He was the longtime professional at Hazeltine National from 1976-2012, including one summer during which Haugejorde worked with him while in college.
Tepetonka’s business model was designed with 20 founding members in mind and 100 total memberships. The maximum number of players allowed per day is 90.
He said, “It is fractional ownership, like NetJets. You own a part of the plane. Here, you own a portion of the golf course.” “There aren’t any dues.” You pre-purchase golf days. Everyone agrees to purchase a certain amount of access. Everyone gets the same access, so it is never crowded. “We have a supperclub and lodging, and you can come and enjoy yourself as much as you like.”
He said: “The goal of each member’s or guest’s trip is summarized in the phrase ‘Can’t Wait to Get There – Hate to Leave!’
Nantz will get his hands dirty with OCM this August, and he’ll be back in time for the start of the NFL season to watch the Minnesota Vikings take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Construction will begin in October and the course is expected to open in summer 2025. It is a par-70 measuring 6,765 yard from the tips.
Nantz stated, “I have known Mark Haugejorde over 40 years and Tepetonka has been his calling in life.” “I think this course is going to be legendary.” Minnesota is a golfing state. This course will be a showcase for Minnesota and America.”
