Photo by Deb Gau The trees and the course at the Marshall Golf Club are turning spring shades of green this week. This spring, the MGC also announced that it will be opening the course up to non-members. The MGC hopes the move will encourage more activity on the golf course, and help bring in additional greens fees revenue

MARSHALL — Marshall’s local golf course has a lot to offer, but it wasn’t being seen by as many people as it should, Matt Bennett said. Now, the Marshall Golf Club is hoping to change that by welcoming local residents even if they aren’t club members.

“We just want to get people out here,” said Bennett, golf course and pro shop manager at MGC. So far, he said, there have been quite a few rounds played on the course this spring. “It’s exciting to see it busy.”

This week, the Marshall Golf Club announced that members have voted to open golf privileges to all non-members and residents of Marshall. The decision will help bring in additional revenue for the golf course, but it will also help start a more community inclusive and welcoming club, the Marshall Golf Board said in the announcement.

“We’ve been a semi-private club,” said Jesse Thordson, president of the MGC Board. The golf course’s past policies required golfers to have a membership or be a guest of a member. However, a large majority of members were in favor of opening the course up, he said. “We’re trying to get more people excited about golf, and get people into golf.”

Thordson said the MGC has a lot of features that the community can enjoy, including a newly re-branded restaurant that’s open to the public, and beautiful grounds. Thordson said superintendent Lance Tykwinski has put a lot of work into the golf course.

“There are a lot of people who acknowledge it’s a gem,” he said of the course.

Bennett said the golf course has been popular over the past year. Sports like golf were appealing for a lot of people during the COVID-19 pandemic, because they could be played outdoors. And even aside from the pandemic, this spring has had mild enough weather for the course to open up earlier than usual, he said.

With the golf course being opened to all guests, Bennett said he hoped to see more people be able to tee up and enjoy the course.

“It’s just more fun when it’s busy,” he said.

So far, he said the MGC has seen a rise in greens fees and new memberships.

The golf club’s restaurant, re-branded as the Fairway, had its soft opening on Monday. Club house and restaurant manager Carlene Taylor said the restaurant has a new American bistro-style menu, and is open to the public. So far, she said, “We’ve been busy,” and she anticipated a good crowd when the Fairway hosts traveling trivia tonight.

“We’re really excited,” Thordson said.

The Marshall Golf Club is still member-owned, Bennett said. The MGC has several membership categories, and Bennett said the club currently has a special offer on memberships. If people have questions or are interested in membership options, they can call 507-537-1622, or visit marshallgolfclub.com.