Bearpath at Bearpath Golf & Country Club

Bearpath Golf & Country Club opened in 1996 as a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design in Eden Prairie, a southwestern suburb of Minneapolis. The course occupies rolling, heavily wooded terrain characteristic of Minnesota's glacially shaped landscape, with significant elevation changes uncommon in the region. Nicklaus routed the layout through dense hardwood forests and around several natural wetlands, creating a secluded feel despite the suburban setting. The design emphasizes strategic positioning off the tee, with fairways that reward accuracy over distance and approach shots that demand precise distance control to multi-tiered greens.

The course measures over 7,000 yards from the championship tees and features Nicklaus hallmarks including expansive bunkering, water hazards in play on multiple holes, and greens with substantial contour. The routing takes advantage of the property's natural movement, with several holes playing uphill or downhill through tree-lined corridors. The finishing stretch includes a demanding par-three and a long par-four that test players under pressure.

Bearpath operates as a private club serving the Twin Cities golf community. The facility includes practice areas and a clubhouse that overlooks the course. The layout has hosted regional amateur competitions and remains one of the more prominent Nicklaus designs in Minnesota, offering a championship test in a wooded, parkland setting distinct from the flatter, more open courses common to the upper Midwest.