Before River Oaks Golf Course became a staple of the Cottage Grove community, it started as a simple but ambitious idea - bringing a public golf course to a city that didn’t have one.

In 1990, Cottage Grove officials began planning what would become the city’s first municipal golf course. At the time, local golfers had to travel to neighboring cities to play, despite the game’s growing popularity. City leaders saw an opportunity to create something lasting - not just a golf course, but a true community asset.

The proposal outlined an 18-hole course built on more than 140 acres along the scenic Mississippi River bluff. The location offered not only space for a full course layout, but also the potential for some of the most picturesque views in the Twin Cities area.

From the beginning, expectations for the course were high. Early planners believed the project could stand out among others in the region. As golf course architect Don Herfort noted, “it will be one of the finest golf courses in the Twin Cities area.”

The vision extended beyond just fairways and greens. Early plans included a clubhouse, maintenance facilities, and surrounding development designed to enhance the overall experience.

The idea quickly gained momentum within the community. Local leaders and residents saw the potential for something more than just a place to play - it would be a space that brought people together and gave Cottage Grove something it had been missing. With its scenic location and thoughtful design, the course was envisioned as a place where golfers of all skill levels could enjoy the game while taking in the natural beauty of the area.

What started as a proposal on paper would soon become something much more - a place built for the community, shaped by the landscape, and rooted in a shared vision for the future of experiences in Cottage Grove, MN.

Today, more than three decades later, River Oaks continues to deliver on that original promise - offering one of the most premier public golf experiences that truly stands as one of the finest golf courses in the Twin Cities.