The Loop At Chaska
A new nine hole golf course has opened in Chaska Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. It may be the first course specifically built to be accessible to all golfers, no matter what limitation they may have. It’s called The Loop At Chaska, a partnership between the City of Chaska and Barrier Free Golf.
From the small, light brown club building with the smallest of pro shops, not far from Hazeltine National Golf Club, one can look out over the entire nine hole course. The forward tees measure at 920 yards, stretching to 1237 yards at the back. A large putting green, fittingly called the Minnalayas, invites players of all skill levels to enjoy a putting contest with friends.
The idea for the course came from Tim Anderson, founder of Barrier Free Golf. It was built on a vacated short course owned by the City of Chaska and donated to the project. “I started working on the project 13 years ago,” said the 67 year old. “It’s on land that was a par 3 course owned by the city, but was not used for about three years.”
“I have two sisters that work in the disability field,” said Tim. “I was motivated by Mike Schultz, then Golf Professional at Hazeltine Golf Club who liked the idea. Then when I was in Houston to play golf, Jack Burke, former Masters Champion and the owner of Champions Golf Club said, ‘Golf has been good to you. What are you going to do to give back?’ It gives you jet fuel when Jack Burke says that to you.”
While there have been players with conditions that allowed them to play, such as having a prothesis for a leg or an arm, many other groups of people could not play.
“The Loop opens the possibility for those who have not thought of playing,” Tim said. “Among others we will serve people who had a stroke and want to get back out and play with their buddies.” Designed with no sand bunkers, forced carry areas or sharp slopes, the course is ideally designed for players with disabilities and those new to the game. “We built it the way we did so that it will be fun for everybody,” said Tim.
The USGA recognized the number of adaptive players by starting the USGA Adaptive Open tournament in 2022. “The Minnesota Golf Association is leading the way for inclusivity.” said Joel Comstock, Community Relations Director of the Minnesota Association.
“We want to bring an event to Minnesota. The Loop is the perfect place to hold clinics and get our feet wet,” said Ede Rice, President of the Minnesota Golf Association. “Our mission is, golf is for everybody. This is a community that has been left out of golf. We want to figure out ways to include it. It doesn’t matter if you play one hole or play in a simulator. These are all golfers.”
“There are corporations that are now recognizing this is an underserved market,” said Matt Magers, Managing Director of the Minnesota Golf Foundation. “We have a relationship with Lifetime Fitness.”
Jeff was a 6 handicap when an accident caused him to not be able to walk. He had not played or walked for two years. “This course will be perfect for seated players,” said Joel. I watched as Jeff hit chip shots his legs braced by standing inside of a walker.
“This inspires people, gives them purpose. Golf is the mechanism,” said Shannon Newman, therapist at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley, MN. “Our goal is to get as many people out to play, to have the ability to get out with their friends, to be comfortable to enjoy the game that everyone else is.”
A key component of the course is the VertiCat golf cart. Developed by Jeff Nicholson, the VertiCat allows players that are challenged walkers to be elevated to a standing position. “My brother had a friend that could no longer play because of M.S. He convinced me that there were a lot of players that could use a stand up cart,” said Jeff. “I have never been involved with a product that changes people’s lives. It’s so rewarding,” the long time business owner and product developer said. “The number one thing people say to me is, ‘it changed my life.’”
“Our cart will allow players with spinal cord injuries, brain trauma or players challenged with walking, to play,” said Jeff. There are about 100 VertiCat’s in use. The current price is about $25,000.
I watched Brian See, a player with a disability and an active volunteer with the Minnesota Golf Association on the practice putting green at the Loop. “The Loop will get more people involved. It doesn’t matter how you play,” he said.
An avid player, Tim Anderson has a long history of volunteering in the game. “I want to build another course in Duluth. I want to build if for the USGA Adaptive Open,” said Tim. “Build it for the tournament so that nothing has to be done to make it work. It’s and honor and an obligation to do this work.”
The Loop at Chaska is a wonderful addition to the golf scene in Minnesota. An entire new group of people are now able to play golf. The Minnesota Golf Association and Tim Anderson’s work on The Loop are deserving of high praise in A Life In Golf.
