Thinking about TPC Twin Cities and wondering what makes this Minnesota golf club so talked about? You’re in the right place. TPC Twin Cities is a private championship course in Blaine, Minnesota, built by Arnold Palmer and known today as the home of the PGA Tour’s 3M Open. It’s also where fan-favorite golfer Haotong Li turned in a strong bounce-back performance in 2026. This guide breaks down the course, the club, the membership costs, and the tournament history, all in one place.
Quick Facts About TPC Twin Cities
| Category | Details |
| Location | Blaine, Minnesota, about 15 miles north of Minneapolis-Saint Paul |
| Opened | 2000 |
| Designer | Arnold Palmer, with input from Tom Lehman |
| Land size | 235 acres, former sod farm |
| Par | 71 |
| Championship yardage | 7,431 yards |
| Playing surfaces | Bentgrass tees, fairways, and greens |
| Water hazards | 15 of 18 holes, 27 water bodies total |
| Signature hole | Hole 17, “Tom’s Thumb” |
| Operator | TPC Network, run by the PGA Tour |
| Clubhouse size | 31,000 square feet |
| Practice area | 17,000 square feet |
| Main event | 3M Open (PGA Tour) |
| Course record | 59, Michael Kim, 2026 |
| 2026 champion | Jackson Koivun |
| Initiation fee | $10,000 to $30,000 |
| Monthly dues | $300 to $600 |
Where Is TPC Twin Cities Located
TPC Twin Cities sits in Blaine, Minnesota, roughly 15 miles north of Minneapolis-Saint Paul. The club opened in 2000 on 235 acres that used to be a working sod farm. That farming history still shows up in the layout today. The land rolls gently, and native prairie grasses frame many of the holes. It gives the course a distinctly Midwest feel rather than the manufactured look you find at some newer builds.
Who Designed TPC Twin Cities
The course carries the signature of Arnold Palmer, one of golf’s most respected architects. He didn’t design it alone. Palmer worked closely with Tom Lehman, a Minnesota native and former World No. 1, to shape a layout that felt true to the region. That local partnership is part of why the course still gets praised for fitting its surroundings so naturally.
Course Design and Layout
The Essentials
For championship play, TPC Twin Cities plays as a par 71 stretching to 7,431 yards. The tees, fairways, and greens all use high-quality Bentgrass, which holds up well through Minnesota’s warm summers and gives players a consistent, fast surface to work with.
Water Hazards Define the Challenge
Water is the biggest threat on this course. It comes into play on 15 of the 18 holes, and there are 27 separate bodies of water spread across the property. That’s an unusually high number, and it shapes almost every strategic decision a player makes off the tee.
Risk and Reward on Every Fairway
The fairways at TPC Twin Cities are generally wide, which rewards players willing to swing aggressively. But that width comes with a catch. Miss your line, and you can end up in thick bluegrass rough, native grass areas, or straight in the water. It’s a course that punishes carelessness more than it punishes ambition.
Signature 17th Hole: Tom’s Thumb
Hole 17 is the most talked-about hole on the property. It’s nicknamed “Tom’s Thumb” after Tom Lehman, and it’s a short, dramatic, risk-reward par 4. Players have to commit to a strategy early, because there’s little room to correct a bad decision mid-hole.
Club History and Tournament Records
From the Champions Tour to the PGA Tour
TPC Twin Cities didn’t start as host of the 3M Open. For nearly two decades, it hosted the 3M Championship on the PGA Tour Champions circuit. That changed in 2019, when the event moved to the regular PGA Tour schedule and became the 3M Open. That shift raised the course’s national profile considerably.
Michael Kim’s Historic 59
In the second round of the 2026 3M Open, Michael Kim shot a bogey-free 12-under-par 59. That round set the new course record and also stands as the tournament’s benchmark score. A 59 is one of the rarest achievements in professional golf, and it now belongs permanently to TPC Twin Cities.
2026 3M Open Champion
The 2026 3M Open produced a breakout story. Jackson Koivun, just 21 years old, won by three strokes over runner-up Scottie Scheffler. The previous year’s title went to Kurt Kitayama. Both results reflect how competitive the field at TPC Twin Cities has become since it joined the regular PGA Tour calendar.
Haotong Li’s 2026 3M Open Performance at TPC Twin Cities
Haotong Li, a fan favorite from China, had a notable turnaround at TPC Twin Cities in 2026. The tournament ran from July 23 to July 26, 2026, and Li finished tied for 57th place with an overall score of 5-under par, or 279 strokes.
The Cut Line Breakthrough
The story here is really about redemption. In 2025, Li missed the weekend cut at TPC Twin Cities after posting rounds of 70 and 68. This year was different. He opened with back-to-back rounds of 68 on Thursday and Friday, which comfortably secured his spot for the weekend.
The Weekend Rounds
Li’s momentum slowed a bit over the weekend. He carded a 1-over-par 72 in Saturday’s third round, then closed things out with a steady even-par 71 on Sunday. Those two rounds locked in his final position.
Final Standing
Haotong Li’s 5-under total placed him in a three-way tie for 57th, alongside veteran Lucas Glover and Austin Eckroat. It wasn’t a headline finish, but given that he missed the cut here the year before, it was a meaningful step forward.
The Bigger Picture for Haotong Li
Li came into the 2026 summer stretch with real momentum behind him. He posted a T4 finish at the 2025 Open Championship, playing in the final grouping alongside Scottie Scheffler. His appearance at TPC Twin Cities was part of a busy stretch where he continues splitting time between the DP World Tour and select PGA Tour sponsor exemptions.
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Club Amenities at TPC Twin Cities
The Clubhouse
TPC Twin Cities operates as part of the TPC Network, which is run by the PGA Tour. The clubhouse is a 31,000-square-foot contemporary lodge, and it houses more than one dining option. Members can choose between the casual Northwoods Den or the more formal Minnesota Room, depending on the occasion.
Practice Facilities
Serious players get a serious practice setup. The short game area alone covers 17,000 square feet, with putting greens, chipping spaces, and a full-service driving range. The range is backed by video swing analysis technology, which gives members detailed feedback on their mechanics.
Membership at TPC Twin Cities
Cost Breakdown
| Fee Type | Estimated Cost | Frequency |
| Initiation fee | $10,000 to $30,000 | One-time, non-refundable |
| Monthly dues | $300 to $600 | Ongoing |
| Capital assessments | $0 | None |
| Food and beverage minimum | $0 | None |
Exact costs depend on the membership tier and whether the applicant is a local resident or lives elsewhere.
Membership Tiers
TPC Twin Cities keeps a strict private structure. Joining usually means filling out an inquiry form or getting an invitation from an existing member. The core tiers include:
- Family Membership: Golf and clubhouse access for the primary member, spouse, and dependents.
- Corporate Membership: Built for business entertaining, with transferable privileges or multiple designees.
- Social Membership: Limited golf access paired with full dining and social calendar privileges.
- Non-Resident Membership: Designed for golfers outside the Twin Cities area who want access while traveling.
How TPC Twin Cities Compares to Other Twin Cities Clubs
Even with a notable price tag, TPC Twin Cities actually costs less to join than several historic clubs nearby. The average country club initiation fee across the Minneapolis-St. Paul market sits around $46,600. Elite properties charge even more. Interlachen Country Club asks $105,000, and Hazeltine National charges $95,000. Against that backdrop, TPC Twin Cities looks like a relatively accessible entry point into premium Twin Cities golf.
Conclusion
TPC Twin Cities has grown from a former sod farm into one of the Midwest’s most respected golf destinations. Between Arnold Palmer’s design work, Tom Lehman’s local influence, and the club’s role as host of the 3M Open, it’s earned a reputation that goes well beyond Minnesota. Michael Kim’s 2026 course-record 59 and Jackson Koivun’s breakthrough win added fresh history to the property, while Haotong Li’s improved performance showed how much the course tests consistency from round to round. Whether you’re following the tournament, considering membership, or just curious about the course, TPC Twin Cities remains one of the more compelling stories in modern golf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is TPC Twin Cities located?
It’s in Blaine, Minnesota, about 15 miles north of Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
Who designed TPC Twin Cities?
Arnold Palmer designed the course, working closely with Tom Lehman, a Minnesota native and former World No. 1.
What is the course record at TPC Twin Cities?
Michael Kim set the record with a 12-under-par 59 during the second round of the 2026 3M Open.
How much does membership at TPC Twin Cities cost?
Initiation fees run between $10,000 and $30,000, with monthly dues between $300 and $600.
How did Haotong Li perform at the 2026 3M Open?
Haotong Li tied for 57th place at 5-under par, bouncing back after missing the cut at the same course in 2025.
Who won the 2026 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities?
Jackson Koivun won by three strokes over Scottie Scheffler.
How many holes at TPC Twin Cities involve water hazards?
Water comes into play on 15 of the 18 holes, with 27 total bodies of water on the property.
Is TPC Twin Cities open to the public?
No, it operates as a private club. Membership requires an inquiry application or an invitation from a current member.