Chaska, Minnesota: Home to Ryder Cup 2016

If you haven’t heard of Chaska, you will as we near the playing of Ryder Cup 2016 in late September.

The nearest town to Hazeltine National Golf Club is Chaska, which is situated 3.7 miles south of the golf course.

Chances are, if you attend the matches, you’ll either spend free time in Chaska or the Twin Cities of St. Paul/Minneapolis.

Here’s short primer on Chaska:

-The city of Chaska has approximately 25,000 residents with more than 175 businesses in the downtown core.

-It has an exceptional public golf course, the Chaska Town Course. Owned and operated by the City of Chaska, the lush layout was designed by Arthur Hills. Accolades include being voted a Top 10 Course in Minnesota by Golf Digest and “Course of the Year” by the Minnesota Golf Association. The setting encompasses oak groves, open prairie, marsh land and bent grass greens.

-A nine-hole layout, the Chaska Par 30 is a Robert Trent Jones course where water hazards come into play on five holes.

-The restaurant and bar choices in Chaska include the Crooked Pint Ale House, Cy’s Bar & Grill, Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar, Sarpinos Pizzeria and Tommy’s Old Fashioned Malt Shop.

-Downtown stores include Chaska Market, Dolce Vita Wine Shop, Linda’s Cellar Antiques, Von Hanson’s Meats, Walgreens and Wally’s Sports and Clothing.

-Chaska was incorporated as a village in 1871 and as a city in 1891. It was once a thriving brick manufacturing center in the mid 1800’s and later was known for the canning of peas, corn and tomatoes and the curing of sauerkraut and pickles.