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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Braemar is ‘over the hill’
Edina, Minn., July 22, 2004 – Another page was added to the history of Braemar Golf Course in the form of a
40th anniversary celebration July 22. Braemar staff put together an event that displayed moments from the past and
reunited many employees, patrons and friends.
In 1958, Edina Village Manager Warren Hyde wrote a letter to City Council members stating his
interest in developing the Hays farm into a public golf course and park. The farm was purchased
through a 1956 bond issue for $197,000. Construction and development of Braemar Golf Course
began Feb. 1, 1963. By July 22, 1964, the course was ready for players to enjoy at a cost of $3 per
round. However, the planning process for developing the course and the areas surrounding it started in
the late 1950s.
The 40th anniversary celebration consisted of an open house in the Braemar clubhouse from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
putting and driving range contests and plenty of food. A hamburger or hot dog served with a cob of sweet corn and
lemonade cost only $1.50 to commemorate the food prices when Braemar opened in 1964. Displays throughout the
clubhouse showed pictures of Braemar’s past and documentation of the government processes associated with the
course’s development. Programs from big tournaments such as the Women’s Amateur PubLinks and the 1969
Minnesota Golf Classic – a Professional Golf Association stop -- were also on display.
City of Edina City of Edina
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Lelan Bosch
Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9537
Fax 952-826-0390
www.cityofedina.com
PRESS RELEASE
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Amy Smith, clubhouse manager, estimated more than 300 visitors attended the open house. She said about two-
thirds of the visitors took advantage of the discounted hamburgers and hot dogs served from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Because of the good weather, many people were able to enjoy their meals outside on the clubhouse porches and
test their golf skills in the contests.
The celebration included a putting contest on the course’s practice green, where winner John McElhatton
received a $100 gift certificate. Visitors also had the opportunity to win sleeves of balls by participating in a driving
range contest requiring them to hit targets placed out in the grass. About 20 sleeves of balls were given away.
Roger Harrold, a patron of Braemar, was present at the celebration. Harrold is authoring a book recording the history
of Braemar’s first 40 years. In his book, Harrold plans to touch on the connection between Braemar Golf Course in
Edina and the Village of Braemar, Scotland. Braemar Golf Club in Scotland is more than 100 years old, and it is the
extensive traditions of the two courses that Harrold hopes to capture on paper. “I couldn’t believe the collection of
books and photographs they had on display,” Harrold said regarding the open house. He added that one of the
documents was a letter that helped him trace the ownership of the golf course land back to 1856.
“A lot of people came back with smiles on their faces,” said John Valliere, Braemar Golf Course Manager. “That’s
what Braemar’s about -- smiles and friendships and maybe working in a little bit of golf, too.”
Braemar Golf Course is located at 6364 John Harris Drive. For more information on Braemar Golf Course or its 40th
anniversary celebration, call the clubhouse at 952-826-6791.
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Note to Editors: Photos available upon request.