Wedgewood Cove. Promotes itself as the ritziest place in Albert Lea to golf, dine and, yes, even marry. No written policy, however, on gay weddings. Recent club practice appears unfriendly to renting for drag queen performances.
Gay Pride event moves fund-raiser to museum
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – In an apparent homophobic reversal, the management at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club cancelled a drag show that had been scheduled as part of Pride Month in June. The drag show organizers quickly moved the event to the Freeborn Historical Museum as an alternate venue. The Wedgewood Club has declined to explain its decision against the drag show. A source who declined to be identified for an interview confirmed there had been “pushback” against the event. As word spread about the Wedgewood Cove action, so did criticism. City Council member Sherri Rasmussen called the action another wrong not-welcome-here message to make gay people feel they don’t belong.
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Verbatim
Rasmussen: “As an elder in the community, I guess of LGBTQ+ people, it’s important to stand up and say, ‘You know what. We’re here.’ There are many of us out here and I just want. I just want the people that come to the small communities to feel welcomed and embraced.”
Wedgewood Cove profile
The 245-acre 18-hole course touts its “fine dining and classy sports bar.” For golfing, dining and drinking – and the pro shop – the club is open to the public: $40 for nine holes, $70 for 18. The course is on Pickeral Lake west of town. The course was custom-designed by Wisconsin-based Garrett Gillan and Jon Schmenk. The club rents space for events in a ballroom that the fire marshal rates for 400 people. There is an additional 275-capcity reception area for socializing and cocktails.