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Monday 8am - 6pm Tuesday 8am - 6pm Wednesday 8am - 6pm Thursday 8am - 6pm Friday 8am - 6pm Saturday 8am - 6pm Sunday 8am - 6pm

Green Lea Golf Course

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Albert Lea, MN
Green Lea Golf Course

Green Lea Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course located on the north side of beautiful Albert Lea, MN. The accommodations don't stop at golf.

Established in 1949, as 9 holes, Green Lea expanded to a full 18 in 1965. The course is home to one of the longest running match play tournaments in the state: "THE SHORTSTOP"

There's a reason Minnesota golfers have flocked to our course for more than 60 years and you'll understand why the moment you hit your first drive. Beautiful mature trees line the edges of our well-manicured fairways. Not l

ong by today's standards, Green Lea has sand, water and several risk/reward holes to challenge golfers of all skill levels. The clubhouse at Green Lea Golf Course is highly recommended for casual receptions, banquets or group lunches. We offer our clubhouse to the public for corporate outings, Christmas parties, wedding receptions and any other celebrations or events. We take the stress out of party organization, so you can relax and enjoy yourself. Green Leas clubhouse has a full restaurant and lounge just waiting for you. Stop in and learn more about what we have to offer. Green Lea Golf Course has you covered, whether you're looking for a membership to a challenging course, a relaxing round of golf or a home for your next important event. Look no further than Green Lea.

09/04/2026

⛳ 1 DAY TO THE 100th PLAYING!

Why has the Albert Lea Shortstop lasted when so many other tournaments have disappeared?

It's more than golf.

Labor Day weekend. Match play. Great courses. Spectators surrounding the action. Generations of competitors. Volunteers. Friends. Families.

And a community that embraces the tournament.

The Shortstop doesn't feel like just another golf tournament.

It feels like an Albert Lea event.

Tomorrow, another chapter begins.

🏆 THE 100th PLAYING OF THE ALBERT LEA SHORTSTOP

📍 Green Lea Golf Course
⛳ Albert Lea, Minnesota

100 Playings. Generations of Golf. One Incredible Tradition.

09/03/2026

⛳ 2 DAYS TO THE 100th SHORTSTOP

The 1976 championship may have produced the strangest finish in tournament history.

Rick Graen and Warren Ostlund were tied after 18 holes and went to sudden death.

On the first playoff hole, Ostlund chipped close. Graen said:

"Good chip."

Ostlund thought he heard "That's good" — meaning the putt had been conceded — and picked up his ball.

It hadn't been conceded.

After hours of discussion and consultation with golf officials, Ostlund was disqualified and Rick Graen was declared champion.

Ostlund never played the Albert Lea Shortstop again.

Nearly 100 tournaments produce some unforgettable stories!

09/02/2026

⛳ 3 DAYS TO THE 100th SHORTSTOP

Golf tournaments don't survive for 100 playings by accident.

Many "shortstop" tournaments have disappeared over the years. They're difficult to organize, require dedicated volunteers and need players who keep coming back.

Albert Lea's Shortstop hasn't just survived.

It has thrived.

This year's tournament filled in only TWO HOURS!

One major reason is the people behind it. Eric Amann has been involved in organizing more than 30 Shortstops — the longest run by a tournament organizer in event history — while Larry Petersen has also played an important role across both host courses.

👏 Here's to the people behind the scenes who kept the tradition alive.

09/01/2026

⛳ 4 DAYS TO THE 100th SHORTSTOP

Longtime Green Lea owner Jeff Elseth has a unique place in Shortstop history.

He's not just the owner of the course that now hosts the tournament…

He's a Championship Flight Champion! 🏆

Elseth captured the title in 1991, roughly 15 years before the tournament eventually moved to Green Lea.

From Shortstop Champion to owner of its host course — that's a pretty special connection to one of Albert Lea's greatest sporting traditions.

Only 4 days to the 100th Playing!

08/31/2026

⛳ 5 DAYS TO THE 100th SHORTSTOP

Many consider Jon Christian the best golfer ever to come out of Albert Lea.

And he's also an Albert Lea Shortstop Champion.

🏆 1988 Shortstop Champion

Christian later turned professional and played on the Hogan Tour - the developmental tour below the PGA TOUR at the time - and won the Connecticut Open by 7 shots.

Because the Shortstop is an amateur event, Christian only had a few opportunities to compete before turning professional.

But his name remains permanently etched into Shortstop history.

08/30/2026

⛳ 6 DAYS TO THE 100th SHORTSTOP

How hard is it to repeat as Shortstop Champion?

Very.

In 99 tournaments, only 18 players have won the event two or more times.

The first player to successfully defend his title was Stan Larson, winning back-to-back championships in 1933 and 1934.

Chris Baas took it even further, winning three straight from 2001–2003.

And Shortstop history even includes an incredible four-year championship run from 2014–2017!

Nearly 100 tournaments. Generations of great players.

🏆 Who adds their name to the list this year?

08/29/2026

⛳ 7 DAYS TO THE 100th SHORTSTOP

Winning the Championship Flight is difficult.

Getting all the way to the championship match and finishing runner-up again and again might be even tougher!

Three players stand out:

🥈 Jeff Stadheim — 6 runner-up finishes
🥈 Andy Petersen — 4
🥈 Chris Baas — 3

Sometimes the history of a tournament isn't just about who lifted the trophy.

It's also about the great players who kept putting themselves in position to win it.

The 100th Playing is almost here!

08/28/2026

⛳ 8 DAYS TO THE 100th SHORTSTOP

Who has won the most Championship Flight titles in Albert Lea Shortstop history?

🏆 CHRIS BAAS — 7 TITLES

And he’ll be competing again this year!

Right behind him is Brent Miller with six championships — and Brent is also entered this year.

Other five-time champions include:

Ole Williamson — 5
Dick Davies — 5
John Eymann — 5

Two of the most successful players in tournament history will be back in the field for the 100th Playing of the Albert Lea Shortstop!

08/27/2026

⛳ 9 DAYS TO THE 100th SHORTSTOP

Here’s a mystery nearly 100 years old…

Nobody knows who won the first two Albert Lea Shortstops!

🏆 1927 Champion: UNKNOWN
🏆 1928 Champion: UNKNOWN

Somewhere out there, could an old newspaper clipping, scorecard, photo or family scrapbook hold the answer?

Check those dusty attics!

If you have information about the 1927 or 1928 champions, contact Green Lea Golf Course at 507-373-1061.

Help us solve one of the great mysteries in Albert Lea golf history!

08/26/2026

Congratulations to Campbell Cichosz on his double eagle! Campbell made a 2 on #17, Tuesday, August 25 hitting driver and 4 iron from 228 yards.

Address

101 E Richway Drive
Albert Lea, MN
56007

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm
Saturday	8am - 6pm
Sunday	8am - 6pm

Telephone

+15073731061

Website

http://www.greenlea.com/

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