Does Chicago have better golf courses than Minneapolis? A rising media star weighs in

Does Chicago have better golf courses than Minneapolis? A rising media star weighs in

If you’re not yet familiar with the name Emma Carpenter, chances are you soon will be.

The 25-year-old is a rising star in the sports media world, with appearances on Golf Channel, PGA Tour Live, the 5 Clubs Podcast and the Big 10 Network, where she covers both golf and football.

Carpenter grew up in Dekalb, Ill., but played collegiate golf at the University of Minnesota. So on this week’s episode of Subpar, hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz had an important question for their guest: Which area has better golf?

For reference, Illinois has 4 courses in GOLF’s most recent ranking of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S., while Minnesota has two.

But rankings aside, Carpenter said she actually prefers the offerings in Minneapolis to Chicago.

“Chicago’s are well known, but what’s cool, I mean, I would actually be interested to know which has more championship golf because there’s a lot of championship golf in Minnesota,” Carpenter said. “The Ryder Cup’s going back to Hazeltine and personally, I wouldn’t even say that Hazeltine is in my top three of courses around that area, and they’re all within like 30 minutes of each other.

“Chicago, there’s lots of great courses. You’re talking Chicago Golf Club, Butler National, like tons of really, really crazy good places, but also not as easy to get to. They’re all in way different areas,” she continued. “Minneapolis, in right around the Twin Cities, you got Hazeltine, you got Spring Hill, one of the best courses I’ve ever played. Interlachen, Olympic Hills, one of my favorite places. You got Golden Valley. You got Minneapolis Golf Club. I mean, lots of really good golf.”

For more insights from Carpenter, including what it’s like working with names like Matt Every, Gary Williams and Brandel Chamblee, check out the full episode below.

About the Author:

Emma Carpenter is a rising star in sports media, known for her television and podcast appearances covering golf and football. Her experience playing collegiate golf for the University of Minnesota provides her with a unique perspective when comparing the golf offerings of Chicago and Minneapolis.

Context:

The comparison of golf courses in major cities is a popular topic among golf enthusiasts. Both Chicago and Minneapolis boast rich golf histories and offer a diverse range of courses, from classic country clubs to modern championship venues. Rankings like GOLF's Top 100 Courses in the U.S. provide an objective measure of course quality, but personal preference and accessibility also play significant roles in perception.

Analysis:

Emma Carpenter's perspective highlights that while Chicago's courses may be more widely recognized and some hold high rankings, the concentrated quality and accessibility of golf offerings in the Minneapolis area make it a compelling destination for many golfers. The proximity of top-tier courses such as Hazeltine National (a Ryder Cup venue), Spring Hill, Interlachen, and Olympic Hills creates a unique cluster of excellent golf that may be as, if not more, appealing than Chicago's more spread-out gems.