READY TO TANGLE. Menomonie's Tanglewood Greens will reopen this June after its initial closure in 2020. (Photo via Facebook)

Menomonie is currently home to two golf courses, but a third will soon join – or rather, rejoin – the city’s ranks. Tanglewood Greens will reopen for the first time since its closure in 2020 this summer over Father’s Day weekend, with a new owner and team at the helm.

Tanglewood Greens, formerly known as Chippewa Valley Golf Club, stretches across more than 180 rolling acres and is home to an 18-hole course. Prior to its closure in 2020, a near-6,000-square-foot events space was built, joining the course’s large clubhouse which houses a bar, restaurant, deck area, and banquet room.

These elements are soon to re-open, although the par-71 course itself won’t be ready for golfers until 2024.

"For this year, the goal is to bring the restaurant and bar back, the event center up and running, and open up our range. The entire golf course is going through restoration throughout the remainder of this year and will be open again as a full 18-hole golf course in 2024."

LINDA GRUBISH

TANGLEWOOD GREENS' DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

First opened in 1976, the course is the oldest and largest in Menomonie, and its new owners have big dreams for it. Owner and Minnesota native Mark Wallskog, who also owns Heartwood Resort & Conference Center outside of Trego, is no stranger to the business world and hospitality industry. Plus, Tanglewood’s new team also includes UW-Stout graduate Sammi Folkenson, who is the course’s general manager.

Already, the whole clubhouse has gotten a revamp and the additions of a bridal suite and groom's area to better accommodate future wedding parties and events. The event center is already getting inquiries, and it is ready to host gatherings once more.

Linda Grubish, Tanglewood’s director of marketing, said the team is working closely with course experts, superintendents, and many more to not only bring the course back to its premier level, but to make it even better.

“For this year, the goal is to bring the restaurant and bar back, the event center up and running, and open up our range,” Grubish said. “The entire golf course is going through restoration throughout the remainder of this year and will be open again as a full 18-hole golf course in 2024.”

Tanglewood Greens will have its grand opening on Father’s Day weekend, which falls on June 16-18 this year. Grubish said they will open up for folks to have dinner at the restaurant and drinks at the bar, host karaoke on Saturday night, and host a barbecue on Father’s Day with the Tanglewood Super Shot range open to hit some balls. The driving range, putting green, and center will be open, too.

"MARK (WALLSKOG) IS A TRUE ENTREPRENEUR ... HE'S IN HIS ELEMENT."

LINDA GRUBISH

Grubish also works with Wallskog at Heartwood Resort and spoke to his plans for Tanglewood Greens. “Mark is a true entrepreneur who owns a couple of other businesses (and is) not a stranger to the hospitality industry,” she explained. “He knew it would be a project to bring (Tanglewood Greens) back, but it’s right up his alley and what he enjoys – finding a wonderful piece of property and restoring it. He’s in his element.”

She also explained Folkenson’s background in the Menomonie area as graduate of both UW-Stout’s hotel and restaurant management and golf management programs. In addition, Folkenson’s experience at Oak Glen Golf Club in Stillwater, Minnesota, has primed her for the general manager position.

Plus, Menomonie locals and Chippewa Valley residents have already shown an outpouring of support, Grubish said.

“We’ve gotten such wonderful support from so many people in Menomonie; pretty much anyone I run into, they say they’re so excited Tanglewood’s reopening,” she said. “We’re just thrilled to meet people. It’ll be the place to come have dinner, spend time with family, and then next year, be a place for regulars and leagues. We want to connect and show them what we’re doing.”

Tanglewood Greens will soon have an official website and landing page, as well as social media, up and running within the month. In the meantime, you can find them on Facebook.