Madden’s Embraces The Greenway Program

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER

For more than 90 years, golf courses at Madden’s on Gull Lake have been a favorite for golfers across the nation. For the past 15 years, Madden’s has been using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in every area of the resort, including their four golf courses — The Classic, Pine Beach East, Pine Beach West and the Social 9. Implementation of the Greenway Program takes the movement onto its prized courses. The program encourages less nutrients and pesticides on the greens and uses a more natural approach for plant health. Vegetation on the courses is allowed to grow and ward off disease using its own natural defenses.

Tanner Schoenfelder is the new golf course superintendent at Madden’s. He says ultimately the golfer experiences faster firmer playing surfaces. The program encourages the growth of bentgrass which produces a smoother surface. The initiative is a big part of the reason he was drawn to his new position, and that it is important to let Mother Nature do some of the work on the courses.

Schoenfelder grew up in the FargoMoorhead area and says he’s been working on a golf course since he was young. With a degree in sports turf management, he has worked at a handful of Top 100 courses throughout the United States including Cherry Hills, in Denver, Colorado, and Bethpage in New York. Prior to coming to Madden’s, he spent four years as the lead superintendent at Wolf Creek Golf Course in Mesquite, Nevada.

“I have liked seeing how the practice works around the United States. The focus at Madden’s will be water savings and efficiency in watering and allowing the plant to do what it does naturally versus mitigating that with too many fungicides and chemicals. We will use minor fertilizing and watering and do monitoring to let the plant build its own defenses,” Schoenfelder said.

“The Classic is a nationally recognized course and I strive to keep it there.

My passion is just creating the best playing surface I can from all aspects, from the tee boxes to the middle of the green to the fairway,” he said.

Schoenfelder and his wife, Cynthia, were married in April. “I used to golf at Madden’s with my mom when I was a kid. It is great to now call Madden’s home. This is a perfect move for us. This is where we want to start a family.

“I look forward to hearing from people about the greens, as far as their experience and fun. I am really looking forward to it. I plan on being at Madden’s for a long time and I’m looking forward to seeing where we take it,” said Schoenfelder.