Academy 9 at Braemar Golf Club

Academy 9 at Braemar Golf Club serves as a short-course facility within this municipal complex in Edina, a first-ring suburb southwest of Minneapolis. The course was designed by Donald Brauer and Gerry Pirkl, both Minnesota-based architects who have worked extensively on public golf projects throughout the Upper Midwest. Braemar Golf Club itself operates as part of the City of Edina's park and recreation system, offering multiple golf experiences on the same property.

The nine-hole layout functions primarily as an instructional and practice venue, designed to accommodate beginners, juniors developing their skills, and experienced players looking for quick rounds or short-game work. The holes are shorter than regulation par-three length, making the course accessible for players of all ages and abilities. This type of facility has become increasingly common at municipal complexes seeking to introduce golf to new audiences and provide flexible playing options beyond traditional eighteen-hole rounds.

The course occupies relatively flat terrain typical of the Minnesota River valley region, with mature trees and modest elevation changes characteristic of developed suburban parkland. Braemar's overall facility includes the main eighteen-hole course alongside Academy 9, creating a comprehensive public golf destination that serves both recreational and instructional purposes. The complex reflects the Twin Cities area's strong municipal golf tradition, where accessible public facilities have long played a central role in the region's golf culture.