125 Years of Minnesota Golf: A Legacy in Motion

In 2026, the Minnesota Golf Association will mark a milestone few organizations reach: 125 years of serving amateur golf in Minnesota. It is a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate a legacy that has shaped the game across generations, while also setting the stage for what comes next.

Amateur golf in Minnesota began humbly along the Mississippi River in St. Paul, where early enthusiasts first introduced the game in the late 19th century. As interest spread, clubs formed, competitions emerged, and a shared need for organization took shape. In 1901, that vision became reality with the formation of the Minnesota Golf Association, established to conduct championships, coordinate competition, and promote the interests of golf throughout the state.

From those early days of rudimentary courses and small fields, Minnesota golf grew into something remarkable. Over the decades, the state has produced national champions, welcomed the game’s most prestigious tournaments, and expanded access through public golf, youth development, and inclusive programming. Throughout it all, the MGA has served as a steady steward of amateur golf, supporting players, courses, volunteers, and communities statewide.

To honor this milestone, the MGA is launching a yearlong 125th Anniversary campaign, built around the theme “A Legacy in Motion.” Rather than focusing on a single event, the anniversary will unfold through ongoing storytelling that connects Minnesota’s rich golf history with the present day and the future.

Later this year, the MGA website will debut a dedicated 125th Anniversary hub, featuring a living, interactive timeline of Minnesota amateur golf. Visitors will be able to explore key moments, people, and places that shaped the game, alongside editorial features, archival photography, and video stories that bring history to life. New content will be added throughout the year, ensuring the story continues to grow.

The anniversary will also be reflected across MGA social media channels, where bite-sized history, modern parallels, and community voices will be shared regularly. In addition, Minnesota Golfer magazine will debut a refreshed look during the anniversary year, with expanded features connecting 125 years of history to today’s game and tomorrow’s possibilities.

As the MGA celebrates this milestone, the focus remains forward-looking. The next chapter of Minnesota golf will be shaped by access, inclusion, youth, sustainability, and community, values that have guided the association for generations.

We invite you to follow along, explore the history, and be part of the legacy as Minnesota golf continues to move forward, together.

How to Stay Connected

As the 125th Anniversary unfolds, there are several ways to follow along and take part:

• Follow the MGA on social media (@mngolfassn) for regular anniversary features, historic moments, and modern-day stories

• Visit the MGA website to explore the upcoming 125th Anniversary page and interactive timeline

• Read Minnesota Golfer magazine for in-depth anniversary features and archival storytelling

• Share your story when opportunities arise to contribute memories, photos, or reflections from Minnesota golf’s past and present