The Lake Elmo, Minn. property that is built around an 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer and Annika Sorenstam has opened the six-hole, par-3 course that Palmer and Sorenstam also envisioned, to create a space where families could bond. Playing the course is free for kids age 17 and under, and the club also furnishes equipment and golf balls. “We’ve had juniors calling daily wondering when [the course was] going to be open,” said assistant golf professional Steve Peloquin.

Families that have spent countless hours inside together during isolation now have at least one more way to spend family time outside, KARE NBC 11 of Minneapolis, Minn. reported.

The new short course at The Royal Club in Lake Elmo, Minn. is now open, KARE reported, and the six-hole, par-3 course is free for kids age 17 and under to play. All clubs and balls are furnished by the club as well.

The Royal Club is built around an 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer and Annika Sorenstam (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/the-royal-club-continues-transformation/), and Palmer and Sorenstam also envisioned the short course together, to create a space where families could bond, KARE reported.

“Because both Annika and Arnie had this vision, and us having this unique situation to have a six-hole short course, we’ve had juniors calling daily, wondering when that place is going to be open,” Steve Peloquin, an assistant golf professional at The Royal Club, told KARE.

Ben Hooley, with his two sons Will and Jack, were already taking advantage of the free course when KARE went to Lake Elmo to report on its opening.

“We’ve just been waiting for the green light to get back out here,” Hooley said. “We woke up this morning, got the message, we were already out here and made a lap and we’re back for one more this afternoon,” he said.

As with all courses currently in Minnesota, safe social-distancing practices must be adhered to while playing on any of The Royal Club courses, KARE reported.

KARE’s full report can be viewed at https://www.kare11.com/article/sports/royal-golf-clubs-short-course-opens-for-free-kids-play/89-aa391b42-8f1f-4d38-9a2d-bd63f12bf246