There’s something unexpected about standing on a tee box in Eagan and spotting the Minneapolis skyline in the distance. Add sweeping views of the Minnesota River Valley, planes gliding toward MSP Airport, and rolling greens stretching below. It becomes clear why generations of locals keep returning to Lost Spur Golf and Event Center.
Lost Spur was purchased in 1946 and first opened for play in 1952. Since then, it has quietly become part of the community’s story. It’s where beginners nervously tee off for the first time, couples celebrate weddings, coworkers gather for golf outings, and families reconnect over graduations and milestone birthdays.
For General Manager Geri Lockrem, the property has been part of her own story for more than four decades. “I started as a server,” Geri says. “Then I moved into bartending, banquets, management, and eventually became the general manager.”
Forty-three years later, she still loves coming to work. “The people are always fun,” she says. “I get to meet so many people. There’s always something new and challenging every day.”
A Course for Everyone
Lost Spur may be a nine-hole course, but golfers quickly realize it packs plenty of variety into its par-34 layout. The fairways are narrow and lined with mature trees, while sand and water hazards add another layer of challenge throughout the course.
That balance is part of what keeps the course approachable without feeling too easy. Tree-lined fairways, elevation changes, and strategic shots keep seasoned players engaged, while newer golfers can still enjoy the round without feeling overwhelmed.
The practice facility also gives players room to sharpen their skills before heading onto the course. Lost Spur features a 25,000-square-foot all-grass driving range tee, target greens, a practice bunker, and dedicated chipping and putting areas. Two instructors currently offer both private and group golf lessons.
“Come on out and give it a try,” Geri says.
For many golfers, the scenery alone makes the experience memorable. Few metro-area courses offer views quite like these. On clear summer evenings, golfers can see the downtown skylines, the river valley, and planes approaching the airport while finishing a round.
More Than Just Golf
While the course itself draws plenty of visitors, Lost Spur has also become known as a gathering place for celebrations large and small.
“We do parties from 25 up to 400,” Geri says. “Birthday parties, weddings, graduations, class reunions, celebrations of life, golf outings. Really, any kind of party.”
The event center includes multiple ballroom spaces spread across two levels, allowing the venue to accommodate everything from intimate gatherings to large receptions. Full-bar service, dance floors, and flexible room layouts make the space adaptable for many occasions.
Some guests first visit Lost Spur for a wedding or banquet and later return for golf. Others arrive for dinner after a round and end up booking an event years later. That mix of experiences gives the property a comfortable, familiar feel.
The on-site bar and grill also gives golfers and visitors another reason to linger a little longer. Open Tuesday through Saturday during the season, the grill serves lunch and dinner favorites in a laid-back setting overlooking the course. Sundays feature pizzas and hot dogs throughout the day.
A Summer Tradition
Golf has long been tied to relaxation and recreation, but it also comes with surprising wellness benefits. According to research highlighted by WebMD, a single round of golf can burn anywhere from 300 to more than 1,500 calories, depending on whether players walk or ride. Studies have also connected golf with improved cardiovascular health, lung function, and increased physical activity, especially among older adults.
For many Lost Spur regulars, though, the appeal goes beyond exercise. It’s the feeling of stepping away from busy schedules for a few hours. It’s catching up with friends between holes. It’s grabbing dinner after a round while the sun starts setting over the valley. And in a region where warm weather never lasts quite long enough, places like Lost Spur become part of how Minnesotans make the most of summer.
Nearly 80 years after opening, the course still carries that familiar neighborhood feeling while welcoming new visitors every season. Whether someone is planning a wedding, organizing a golf outing, signing up for lessons, or simply hoping to spend an evening on the patio overlooking the course, Lost Spur continues to offer a little bit of everything.
For tee times, lessons, dining hours, and event information, visit Lost Spur Golf and Event Center.