The Wilderness at Fortune Bay

What The Wilderness at Fortune Bay does

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is a private, seasonal resort golf destination located on Lake Vermilion in Tower, Minnesota, operating since 2004 under the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. Its core asset is an 18-hole championship course designed by Jeffrey D. Brauer, configured with four tee boxes (Gold/Blue/White/Green at 7207/6772/6147/5324 yards, Par 72), and equipped with GPS-enabled carts featuring USB ports and Bluetooth audio. The property carries an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification (achieved 2005, renewed December 2018) and has earned repeated top-10 Minnesota rankings from Golfweek and Golf Digest, including #3 Best Public Golf Course in Minnesota and #7 Best Casino Courses in the US in the 2025 Golfweek rankings.

The business monetizes across four principal revenue streams: (1) daily green fees and replay/twilight rates (ranging from $60 nine-hole spring rates up to $135 summer rack rates), (2) bundled Play & Stay packages with Fortune Bay Resort Casino lodging ($190-$330 per person), (3) on-site food and beverage through The Wilderness Grill, and (4) a point-based loyalty program redeemable for gift cards. Distribution runs through direct-to-consumer phone and website tee-time booking, supported by the Gallus Golf mobile app, with group and tournament bookings (groups of 12+) routed through the pro shop. Annual tournaments such as the City Auto Glass Vermilion Open anchor an event-driven acquisition cadence.

The customer base skews to individual and SMB golfers from the Twin Cities metro and broader Midwest, plus resort guests of the integrated Fortune Bay Resort Casino (173 rooms, 800 slot machines, 10,000+ sq ft meeting space). Corporate outings, social tournaments, and multi-year repeat groups form a meaningful secondary segment. Winter operations extend the revenue window with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing, partially mitigating the otherwise concentrated May–September seasonality. Leadership transitioned in 2023–2024 with GM Bill Manahan (April 2024) and earlier GM Joe Wisocki (March 2023), supported by a full operational team including a Head Golf Professional, Course Superintendent, Controller, F&B Manager, and Executive Chef.

Name

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay

Legal name

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay

Website

https://golfthewilderness.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is a privately held (tribal-owned) resort golf destination in Tower, Minnesota, operating an 18-hole championship course on Lake Vermilion alongside on-site dining, a loyalty program, and bundled lodging packages with the adjacent Fortune Bay Resort Casino.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Resort Golf & Hospitality

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910), Casino Hotels (721120)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Wilderness & Backcountry Lodges (Remote/Off-Grid) (THAGAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Luxury Eco-Resorts (THAGACAK)

Keywords

• Resort golf courses
• Championship golf destination
• Golf packages and outings
• Tee time reservations
• Corporate golf events

Headquarters

HQ city

Tower

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Green Fees and Golf Services: Revenue from daily play green fees, replay rounds, twilight rates, and junior golf pricing across spring, summer, and fall seasons. Also includes driving range fees and golf cart rentals.
2. Play & Stay Packages: Bundled room and golf packages offering per-person rates based on double occupancy. Includes weekday and weekend packages with green fees, GPS golf cart, and range balls.
3. The Wilderness Grill Restaurant: On-site restaurant and bar services offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and patio dining with wine and cocktail menus.
4. Loyalty Program: Point-based loyalty program where members earn points on cash and credit card purchases for green fees, merchandise, and food. Points can be redeemed for gift cards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is an 18-hole championship resort golf course designed by Jeffrey D. Brauer, located on Lake Vermilion in Tower, Minnesota. It sells daily green fees, tee-time reservations, golf cart rentals, a driving range, group/tournament outing packages, an on-site restaurant (The Wilderness Grill), and integrates lodging, casino, marina, and banquet facilities through the on-site Fortune Bay Resort Casino partnership.

Product overview

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay operates as a golf resort offering a single integrated experience centered around its 18-hole championship golf course. The core product portfolio includes the golf course itself, The Wilderness Grill restaurant, tee time booking with GPS-enabled carts, and a driving range. Additional offerings include golf packages and group outings, a loyalty rewards program, and seasonal winter activities (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing). The resort partners with Fortune Bay Resort Casino for lodging (173 rooms), meeting facilities, casino gaming, marina services, and additional dining options. The property accommodates corporate and social golf events for groups of 12 or more and offers Stay & Play packages combining golf with casino resort accommodations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Wilderness Grill: On-site restaurant and bar at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and patio dining with views of Lake Vermilion.

Products and services

• The Wilderness Golf Course An 18-hole championship golf course designed by Jeffrey D. Brauer on Lake Vermilion in Tower, Minnesota. Plays to par 72 with four tee boxes ranging 5,324 to 7,207 yards and is ranked among the top public courses in Minnesota and the top casino courses in the US by Golfweek and Golf Digest.
• Tee Time Booking Reservation service providing golfers with real-time access to tee times across spring, summer, and fall seasons, including daily-fee, replay, twilight, and junior rates, with GPS-enabled golf carts equipped with USB ports and Bluetooth speakers. A 48-hour cancellation policy applies.
• Driving Range Daily-use practice facility open 45 minutes before the first available tee time, with a $20 per-person daily usage fee (or $15 without same-day greens-fee purchase). Designed for golfers warming up before rounds.
• Golf Packages & Group Outings Group and tournament booking services for parties of 12 or more golfers, including play-and-stay packages that bundle golf with Fortune Bay Resort Casino lodging, and tournament events such as the City Auto Glass Vermilion Open ($95 entry includes 18 holes, lunch, contest prizes, payouts, and team trophies).
• The Wilderness Grill Restaurant On-site restaurant and bar at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, along with patio dining and wine/cocktail menus featuring Small Lots wines and Far North Spirits, with views of Lake Vermilion.
• Winter Activities Seasonal winter recreation package on and around Lake Vermilion, including groomed cross-country ski trails (free), snowshoeing, snowmobile trail access maintained by the Vermilion Prenguin Snowmobile Club, and ice fishing.
• Wilderness Loyalty Program Rewards program where members earn one point per dollar spent on green fees, merchandise, and food via cash or credit card; points are redeemable for gift cards (e.g., 500 points = $25 gift card), and group leaders earn points for group bookings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked #3 Best Public Golf Course in Minnesota and #7 Best Casino Courses in the US - Golfweek 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Audubon InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2018Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification achieved in 2005 and renewed in December 2018. The certification covers five environmental areas: Environmental Planning, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Outreach and Education, and Wildlife and Habitat Management. The course works with Audubon International and Vermilion Community College on environmental evaluation.
• Fortune Bay Resort CasinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFortune Bay Resort Casino is an integrated on-site partner providing 173 rooms of lodging, casino gaming (800 slot machines), conference center (10,000+ sq ft of meeting space), multiple restaurants, marina, pool, arcade, and RV park. The partnership creates a comprehensive resort experience combining golf, gaming, lodging, and dining. Fortune Bay is owned/operated by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa.
• Vermilion Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Vermilion Community College for environmental evaluation as part of Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification renewal. The college assists with environmental assessments and conservation efforts.
• Vermilion Prenguin Snowmobile ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer snowmobile club maintaining groomed trails accessible from The Wilderness property. Partnership provides guest access to extensive snowmobile trail network on Lake Vermilion and surrounding areas.
• First National Bank of GilbertminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst National Bank of Gilbert, Gilbert-Hoyt Lakes presented the 7th Annual City Auto Glass Vermilion Open tournament, demonstrating community partnership for golf events and fundraising.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Madden's on Gull Lake: Classic Minnesota lake-resort destination in Brainerd offering multiple golf courses, lodging, F&B, and marina — directly comparable as a Minnesota resort golf destination targeting Twin Cities and regional group/individual golfers.
• Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort: Iron Range (Biwabik, MN) resort with championship 18-hole courses designed by Jeffrey D. Brauer (the same architect as The Wilderness), plus ski/mountain activities — the most direct architectural and geographic comparable.
• Grand View Lodge: Nisswa, MN family-owned resort with multiple golf courses, lodging, dining, and winter activities — comparable Minnesota resort golf destination targeting similar regional leisure and corporate-outing demand.
• Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake: Brainerd-area Minnesota lake resort offering golf, lodging, conference facilities, and marina — closely comparable integrated resort experience and group/corporate-event customer mix.

Broad incumbents

• Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Oregon destination golf resort known for pure destination play and award-winning links courses — comparable as a top-ranked destination golf property, but at materially larger scale and national draw.
• Sand Valley: Wisconsin destination golf resort built around championship heathland-style courses and resort lodging — comparable premium destination-golf positioning and group/outing appeal, with broader geographic reach.
• Pebble Beach Resorts: Iconic California coastal golf resort with integrated lodging, F&B, and retail — relevant comparable for trophy resort-golf positioning, premium pricing power, and bundled destination experiences.
• TPC Network: Nationwide network of championship-caliber public and private golf courses with resort and tournament infrastructure — relevant comparable for branded, tournament-quality public golf course positioning.

Emerging players

• Forest Dunes Golf Club: Michigan destination golf property featuring award-winning courses and on-site lodging — comparable as a Midwestern destination-golf resort focused on stay-and-play travelers and group outings.
• Sweetens Cove Golf Club: Boutique Tennessee destination course with growing national reputation and destination play — relevant comparable for premium pricing and brand-driven demand at a single-course destination.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/golfthewilderness
• Instagraminstagram.com/golfthewilderness
• Xx.com/WildernessGolf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-wilderness-at-fortune-bay

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Wilderness at Fortune Bay