The Jewel Golf Club

The Jewel Golf Club sits in Lake City, Minnesota, a small town along the western shore of Lake Pepin, a natural widening of the Mississippi River in the southeastern corner of the state. The course was designed by Hale Irwin, the three-time U.S. Open champion who transitioned into golf course architecture after his playing career. Irwin's design work typically emphasizes strategic shot values and playability across different skill levels, drawing on his competitive experience to create courses that reward thoughtful play. The routing takes advantage of the rolling terrain characteristic of the Mississippi River bluff country, with elevation changes and natural contours shaping the playing corridors. The property offers views of the surrounding agricultural landscape and wooded areas common to this part of Minnesota. Irwin's design philosophy generally favors generous fairways with strategic bunkering and green complexes that present multiple approach options, allowing players to choose risk-reward lines based on their abilities. Lake City itself is known as the birthplace of waterskiing and serves as a recreational hub for the Lake Pepin area. The Jewel functions as a semi-private facility, welcoming both members and daily-fee play. The course provides a regional golf option in an area where the natural beauty of the river valley and bluff landscape creates a distinctive setting for the game, particularly during the fall months when the hardwood forests display seasonal color.