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OUR HISTORY

White Bear Yacht Club was founded as a Yacht Club in 1889. Famed as a Club northeast of the Twin Cities, the property sits on the shorelines of White Bear Lake and was founded by group of St. Paul sailors. By the spring of 1890, the Club had more than 42 members who paid $5 initiation fees and annual dues of $3.

Formal sailing competitions began in 1895 between the White Bear and Minnetonka clubs. On Aug. 24, 1897, the Inland Lake Yachting Association was formed between WBYC and nine other yachting clubs. Today, the association continues to honor its heritage in governing competitive sailing and creating a strong camaraderie among the sailing community.

1912 | golf is added

Many of the sailors who founded WBYC were also avid golfers and tennis players. In 1899, the club added two clay tennis courts and remodeled the clubhouse to accommodate its membership. Then in 1912, the first nine holes of the Golf Course opened for play. Several years later, the second nine opened for play.

"Awesome rolling topography. Great conditions. This is such a fun course to play on these hills."

- Golf Digest, 2021

building a legacy

Over the years of WBYC's history, famed golfers, such as Tom Vardon and Jimmy Johnston, have helped shape the legacy we've built. Tom Vardon, brother of Six-Time British Open Champion Harry, served as one of the original Golf Professionals from 1916-1937. Jimmy Johnston, a Minnesota Native and six-time Walker Cup participant, grew up playing at WBYC and is best known as the first golfer to win the U.S. Amateur west of the Mississippi, hosted at Pebble Beach Golf Links in 1929. He went on to beat Dr. O.F. Willey 4&3 in the final match.

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White Bear Yacht Club Sailing

The White Bear Yacht Club formed in 1889 to sponsor yacht racing at White Bear Lake, MN. We’re proud to have been one of the founding members of the I nland Lake Yachting Association and host to the first ILYA Championship regatta held in August of 1898. Learn more about our history here . Club races are scheduled every Saturday morning and afternoon, and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings throughout the summer months. Sailing instruction is available for adults and children through our White Bear Sailing School (WBSS) .

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White Bear Yacht Club

White Bear Lake, MN , United States • Private

Best In State

David A Parker Photography

Before he moved to California where he laid the foundation of many of that state's best courses from the pre-Depression era, William Watson was a pioneer of golf in Minnesota. He arranged the first nine holes at White Bear Yacht Club in 1912 near the shore of White Bear Lake on some of the most roly-poly land imaginable. Several years later, Watson added another nine holes and proceded to remodel the entire course. Donald Ross has long been rumored to have done the remodel worrk, but the club doesn't have evidence of this and is now of the mind that the course is entirely Watson's creation. The site's wildly rumpled, unmodified land is the heart and soul of White Bear Yacht Club. Modern architects would likely have leveled and softened the slopes and ravines, but here they bring the golf to life visually and psychologically, offering nary a level stance and asking the player to drive to high sides of the tilted fairways and hit approaches with extreme control. Over the last two decades under the guidance of Jim Urbina the surrounding canopy of forest has been pared back to better reveal the massive, enthralling undulations of the course, and several holes, includiing the par 3s at six and 11, as well as the 12th and 18th green complex, are currently being restored.

100 Greatest: The course was part of Golf Digest's original 200 Toughest Courses list from 1967-'68.

Second 100 Greatest: Ranked 191st, 2017-'18.

Best in State: Ranked fourth, 2023-'24. Ranked fifth, 2011-'22. Ranked inside the top 5, 1991-2003. Ranked inside the top 10, 2005-'09. 2023-'24 ranking: 4th.

Golf Digest Logo Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot options, layout variety, conditioning.

“Great layout, with a lot of Donald Ross influence throughout. You'll need to enjoy blind shots to like this course, but if you do, the abundance of undulation across the course makes this place standout."

“Amazing land movement hole to hole and w/in each shot throughout the round. Quirky in that one tees off over Dellwood Road twice on holes 5 & 12. Standout holes were the short par 3 third hole w/ the wooden bridge to the left and a large slope to the right feeding from right to left, the short par 5 ninth hole w/ the roller coaster of land movement from tee to green, and the short par 4 fourteenth that boomerangs from left to right."

“very enjoyable walk with some very interesting holes that you will see anywhere near MN. Can tell this course was built before earthmoving eqp, great to see that history."

“Wild ride of land movement and elevation change... lots of side hill lies and fantastic design variety. Hole #14 short par 4 is one of the best I've every played... can hit anything from 7 iron to Driver with double plateau green. Green complexes are very challenging."

“Classic Donald Ross course. Ross moved very little earth to build this course. It fits the terrain perfectly."

“Awesome rolling topography. Great conditions. This is such a fun course to play on these hills. The 18th hole is a little bit of a let down. Truly think they would benefit from switching the 9s."

“While still highly rated, it is the most underrated top course in the state. The variety on the course, conditions, and the unique multi-clubhouse vibe is top on the state."

“Old Donald Ross design built on undulating ground. Beautiful set of Par 3's are the highlight here. Here's a course where you will hit every club in your bag. This is a fun course to play. Jump at the chance to play here if ever invited."

“Delightful private club on a small site with considerable elevation changes. What I lacks in length is made up in variety, uniqueness/quirk, and challenging green complexes. Very soft when played, which is probably more often the rule than the exception (though reportedly, they do strive for firm conditions)"

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