The state legislature approved a bill to authorizing the Keller Golf Course in 1927. The last of the land was acquired the following year and construction was completed using horses and tractors. The course was designed by Ramsey County’s civil engineer, Paul Coates. The clubhouse was designed by St. Paul’s municipal architect, Clarence Wigington. When Keller opened in 1929 the course was acclaimed for the inspired use of rolling terrain, diverse holes, exciting views, and challenging holes. From 1930 to 1968 Keller hosted the PGA Tour’s St. Paul Open, two majors, the 1932 and 1954 PGA Championships and the 1949 Western Open. In 1970s, Keller was home to LPGA Tour’s Patty Berg Classic. In 2012 course was closed for renovations. Keller reopened a couple years later to very good reviews. The layout remained more or less the same, but the greens and bunkers were improved to meet twenty-first century standards and fairways were converted to bent grass. Unfortunately the original clubhouse and pro shop were demolished and replaced with new buildings, but original oak trees are still standing over holes 4 and 17.
