Gem Lake Hills Golf Course

What Gem Lake Hills Golf Course does

Gem Lake Hills Golf Course is a privately-held, family-owned public golf facility operating as part of the Wilson Golf Group portfolio from its sole location at 4039 Scheuneman Rd in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The property offers two nine-hole courses — a Par-3 course (nine par-3 holes) and an Executive course (par 30, six par-3s and three par-4s) — plus a 19-hole Mini Gem Putting Course added in 2025. The business targets casual recreational golfers, families, league participants, youth players, and private event organizers with positioning centered on quick, affordable, fun-oriented rounds rather than championship play.

The company generates revenue through a mix of pay-as-you-go green fees ($16-$22 per 9 holes, plus $9 cart rental), annual season passes ($615-$935), recurring league fees across men's, women's, co-ed, and youth formats (8-22 week seasons), private event and outing packages ($20-$25 per person), mini golf daily fees and birthday parties ($10-$15), cart rentals, and digital gift cards. Pricing is demand-based for daily play, with same-day replay rates ($11-$13) and a free junior pass to drive volume. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the ForeUp Software online booking platform, phone reservations, walk-ups at the on-site golf shop, and Corsizio for league/event registration. The Wilson Golf Group's sister courses (Applewood Hills and Oak Glen) are accessible via a $229 3-Course Exec Pass, providing modest cross-property lock-in.

There is no proprietary technology stack, AI/ML capability, or external funding; the business operates with 1-10 employees using standard third-party SaaS tools for reservations and registration. The owner-operator structure (Ken and Ruth Wilson, owners since the 1980s, with management team GM Matt Greer, Operations Manager Steve Nasvik, and Superintendent Zach Page) signals a stable, family-run enterprise with limited but consistent reinvestment — most recently evidenced by the Mini Gem Putting Course launch and youth programming expansion.

Name

Gem Lake Hills Golf Course

Legal name

Gem Lake Hills Public Golf

Website

https://gemlakehillsgolf.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gem Lake Hills Golf Course is a family-owned public golf facility in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, operating two 9-hole courses (Par-3 and Executive) and a 19-hole mini golf course. It serves casual recreational golfers, league participants, youth players, and private event groups through direct bookings and season passes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Golf Course

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mini Golf & Attractions Centers (Mini Golf, Go-Karts, Laser Tag Complexes) (THAJAEAK)

Keywords

• Executive golf course
• Public golf facility
• Miniature golf course
• Golf league management
• Golf event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Green Fees: Daily fee revenue from golf play on Par-3 and Executive courses. Prices vary by demand, day, and time. Replay rates available for additional 9-hole rounds.
2. Season Passes: Annual and multi-course membership passes offering unlimited 9-hole play. Includes Single, Couple, Senior, and 3-Course Exec Pass options valid at Gem Lake Hills and sister courses.
3. League Fees: Registration fees for men's, women's, co-ed, and youth golf leagues. Leagues run 8-22 weeks with team and individual formats.
4. Golf Outings & Events: Private event bookings including golf outings, reunions, bachelor parties, and corporate events. Packages include 9 or 18 holes with optional catering.
5. Mini Golf & Putting Course: Revenue from the 19-hole Mini Gem putting course. Daily fees and private event bookings for birthday parties and group outings.
6. Cart Rentals: Per-rider golf cart rental fees for both Par-3 and Executive courses.
7. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold online and sent via email for golf play and merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gem Lake Hills Golf Course is a public, family-owned executive golf facility offering casual 9-hole play on a Par-3 course and a Par-30 Executive course, plus a 19-hole Mini Gem putting course, along with season passes, adult and youth golf leagues, cart rentals, and hosted private events and outings for groups, families, and corporate customers.

Product overview

Gem Lake Hills Golf Course is a casual public golf facility offering a portfolio of three distinct golfing experiences: the Par-3 Course (nine par-3 holes), the Executive Course (par-30 with par-3s and par-4s), and the Mini Gem Putting Course (19-hole mini golf). The course operates as an executive golf destination focused on recreation and fun rather than traditional championship play. Additional offerings include organized golf leagues for adults and youth, event hosting for outings and parties, and season pass memberships. The venue is part of the Wilson Golf Group portfolio of executive golf courses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Par-3 Course Nine-hole Par-3 course at the Gem Lake Hills property offering casual executive golf suitable for quick rounds, beginners, and golfers of all skill levels; priced $16–$20 per 9 holes with cart add-on.
• Executive Course 9-hole Executive course (Par 30) with six par-3s and three par-4s for quick recreational rounds, priced $18–$22 per 9 holes with cart add-on; targeted at recreational golfers, leagues, and casual outings.
• Mini Gem Putting Course 19-hole modern miniature golf course at Gem Lake Hills designed for all ages and abilities, with first-come, first-served daily play and private event availability; priced $10–$15 per person with a same-day replay rate of $10.
• Adult Golf Leagues Organized seasonal golf leagues for adults — including men's, women's, and co-ed/couples formats — running 8–22 weeks on the Par-3 or Executive courses with team and individual competition; league fees range $30–$705 per season.
• Youth Golf Leagues Structured junior golf leagues for children ages 6–16 — 9-hole league ($299, ages 9–15) and 4-hole league ($209, ages 6–10) — with coaching, supervised play, t-shirt or beverage inclusions, free mini golf, and year-end party; supplemented by a free Junior League Pass for summer weekday/weekend play.
• Golf Outings & Event Hosting Hosted private group golf events including 9- or 18-hole outings, corporate events, reunions, fundraisers, bachelor parties, and birthday parties (with the Mini Gem putting course and gathering space); priced $20–$25 per guest with optional catering.
• Season Passes Annual and multi-course golf membership passes offering unlimited 9-hole play; tiers include Single ($645), Couple ($935), Single Senior ($615), Couple Senior ($905), 3-Course Exec Pass ($229, valid at Gem Lake Hills, Applewood Hills, and Oak Glen), and a free Junior League Pass for summer.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wilson Golf GroupcoreOthers · 1 January 1980Family-owned by Wilson Golf Group since the 1980s. Ken Wilson (age 94) and his wife Ruth have owned and operated Gem Lake Hills for over 40 years. The Wilson Golf Group also operates sister courses.
• ForeUp SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline tee time booking, season pass sales, and gift card platform provider. Handles all digital reservations and payments.
• Applewood Hills Golf CourseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister course in the Wilson Golf Group family. 3-Course Exec Pass ($229) is valid at Applewood Hills, Gem Lake Hills, and Oak Glen Executive courses.
• Oak Glen Executive CourseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister course in the Wilson Golf Group family. 3-Course Exec Pass ($229) is valid at Oak Glen Executive, Applewood Hills, and Gem Lake Hills. Oak Glen also recommended for larger parties up to 400 guests.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Topgolf: National tech-enabled golf entertainment chain with multi-story hitting bays, food/beverage, and group event focus. Competes for casual family and group outing dollars that Gem Lake Hills targets with its Mini Gem and event packages.
• Drive Shack: Public golf entertainment operator (formerly known for Swing Suite) offering casual, tech-enabled golf and dining venues. Comparable as a broader golf entertainment peer targeting similar casual/recreational demand.

Emerging players

• Puttery: Modern indoor mini golf and cocktail bar concept from the Drive Shack portfolio. Directly comparable to the Mini Gem Putting Course as an adults/family-oriented mini golf entertainment competitor.
• Five Iron Golf: Indoor golf entertainment concept combining TrackMan simulators, lessons, leagues, and full bar service. Comparable as a casual, social, league-driven golf experience targeting urban professionals and group events.
• BigShots Golf: Multi-state golf entertainment chain with hitting bays, food/beverage, and family-friendly programming. Comparable to Gem Lake Hills' casual, group-oriented positioning, though at significantly larger scale and capital intensity.
• Puttshack: Tech-enabled mini golf entertainment venue with location-based scoring and full bar/restaurant service. Directly comparable to the new Mini Gem Putting Course as a modern mini golf destination targeting adults, families, and group events.

Direct peers

• Applewood Hills Golf Course: Sister course in the Wilson Golf Group family, partnered via the 3-Course Exec Pass. Operates executive-style golf in the same Minnesota region with comparable daily-fee and league programming.
• Oak Glen Executive Course: Sister course in the Wilson Golf Group, also included in the 3-Course Exec Pass. Recommended by Gem Lake Hills for larger parties up to 400 guests, indicating similar executive public-golf positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gemlakehillsgolf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gem-golf-co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Gem Lake Hills Golf Course