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BLACK HILLS PIONEER GOLF GUIDE
April 2013
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• Driving range & practice facilities • Only 18 hole facility in the Northern Hills • Tournament outing packages available • Lessons with golf professional available • SDGA & SDHSAA Championship Venue • Fully stocked Pro Shop with brand name equipment & apparel
Spearfish Canyon Country Club Full Restaurant & Bar
120 Spearfish Canyon Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783 605-717-4653 • SpearfishCanyonCountryClub.com
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BLACK HILLS PIONEER GOLF GUIDE
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Spearfish Canyon Country Club By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
SPEARFISH — Spearfish Canyon Country Club holds the distinction of being the Northern Hills’ only 18-hole course since the course’s expansion occurred in 1988. The entrance is on the turnoff into Spearfish Canyon. Ponderosa pine, oak, and Black Hills spruce surround the par-35 front nine, which measures 3,138 yards off the longest tees. Push-up greens are small. The front nine opened shortly after the country club was established in 1921. The back nine features rolling hills and large greens. This par-36 section measures 3,529 yards from the longest tees. Number 8 is regarded as the course’s signature hole because of the scenery. The 193-yard, par3 hole includes a prominent view of Spearfish Canyon. Head professional and instructor Rob Kortan said an immediate to long-range plan is in place for the course. He added goals include re-routing of three or four holes on the front nine, building a new driving range, and creating a new area where golfers can work on their short game. The new driving range will allow wooded clubs and be full length, Kortan said. Kortan said minor improve-
ments for the future include adding tee boxes, taking out some trees, and adding bunkers. What about the golfer who is deciding whether or not to try Spearfish Canyon Country Club? Kortan pointed to the 18hole course as an asset and cited other factors. “We have an excellent level of service,” he said. “We treat our customers with gratitude and respect.” The course conditions have drawn praise from many golfers, Kortan said. Practice ranges and greens are offered, along with club fitting, lessons, and a fully stocked pro shop. Jaime Bentley is the Ladies Professional Golfers Association assistant professional and instructor. She is a registered professional with that organization and gives individual and group lessons, as does Kortan. Both also oversee the junior golf program. The clubhouse offers a full-service bar and grill with banquet facilities. This course is home to Spearfish High School teams and hosted the 2012 state A boys’ tournament. More than 100 athletes from 14 schools competed at that two-day event. Spearfish Canyon Country Club may be reached by calling (605) 717-4655.
The Spearfish Canyon Country Club offers beautiful greens with great scenic views, like the one on hole No. 8. Courtesy photo
Belle Fourche Country Club offers challenges By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneeer
BELLE FOURCHE — Golfers at Belle Fourche Country Club encounter a hole that is sure to challenge everyone who plays it. The 210-yard par-3 second hole is regarded as the course’s signature hole. Board of directors president Nate Bowman attributed that to a downhill shot, plus a small green measuring about 30 feet square. Belle Fourche Country Club opened in 1935. The nine-hole course stretches 3,027 yards and is a par 36. Fairways are narrow and lined with trees. The course features small greens and scattered bunkers. Water hazards mark three of the holes. What would entice a golfer to try Belle Fourche Country Club? “Our greens are probably the best around,”
Bowman said. “The course is also good for players of all ages.” A driving range and putting green are available, along with a restaurant and bar. Bowman said an outside seating area was added near the clubhouse, and plans call for installing a patio this summer. Other recent renovations include new tee boxes, sand traps, and grass bunkers. Wally Kiewel has served as the course’s superintendent and head groundskeeper for more than 30 years,. Belle Fourche High School teams use the course for practices and home events. The course is on Highway 34, just west of that road’s intersection with Highway 85. Call the course at (605) 892-3472 for more information.
A golfer hits from the fairway on hole no. 9 at the Belle Fourche Country Club Golf Course. Pioneer file photo
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BLACK HILLS PIONEER GOLF GUIDE
April 2013
Lead Country Club Golf Course offers history By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
The Lead-Deadwood Country Club is the home course for the Lead-Deadwood Golddigers boys’ golf team. Courtesy photo
Lead Country Club bills itself as “the highest course east of the Rockies” with an elevation of about 6,200 feet. The nine-hole, par-36 course measures 3,331 yards off the longest tees and features small, receptive greens. It is located seven miles south of Lead on Highway 85 and off Rochford Road. Lead Country Club was built in 1922 and offered some of the region’s first grass greens. The course’s claim to fame is the first hole, which features an elevated tee. This tee box was rebuilt in 2009 after many years of being an artificial turf mat. General Manager Al Varland said a golfer needs accuracy on this hole. “All of the holes have small greens,” Varland said. “The slope of the course makes all holes interesting.” Improvements like elevated tees, permanent outdoor toilets, and paved parking lot have occurred over the past five years. The club is currently remodeling the clubhouse, located in a building that was erected in 1923. Varland said that effort started upstairs in an old meeting room, and plans for this year call for renovating the exterior. Golf cart rentals are available on the site, which also features a driving range. A small kitchen is located inside the clubhouse. What would entice a golfer to give Lead Country Club a try? “Our course is the oldest in the Black Hills,” Varland said. “It is also one of the Black Hills’ more challenging courses.” Rick Varland serves as the superintendent and greens keeper. Call the course at 584-1852 for more information.
Boulder Canyon Country Club’s signature hole boasts a water hazard By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
STURGIS — Boulder Canyon Country Club is a nine-hole, par-36 course nestled along Highway 14A between Sturgis and Deadwood. The total distance from the longest tees measures 3,393 yards. Board president Dana Limbo said the 542-yard, par-5 third hole is the course’s most well known. He described it as being a “risk-reward” hole. “A golfer must hit over the water and trees on the second shot,” Limbo said in describing hole No. 3. He added the course offers several drivable par 4s. Those par 4 distances range from 302 yards on number 5 to 486 yards on number 8. All distances listed are from the longest tees. Golfers must wear soft spikes or non-spiked shoes while on the course. Tee times are required for play. Non-members must call three days in advance to establish a tee time. Members need to call seven days beforehand. “It’s a great place to play,” Limbo said in describing the
course’s appeal. “It has a canyon atmosphere and is not surrounded by homes.” Limbo said some holes are located on the side of a hill. “When you stand, the ball is either above or below your feet,” he said. Course improvements over the past couple of years include some new tee boxes and planting of numerous trees. Limbo said the board is considering future improvements like an outdoor restroom by one of the holes. The clubhouse offers a full-service restaurant and bar; breakfast is served all day. A driving range, three practice greens along with sand trap, cart rental, and club rental are available on the site. Tom Lorius is the superintendent in charge of the grounds. Boulder Canyon Country Club offers three special days each week. Ladies Day takes place from 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays. Couples-Family Day occurs each Wednesday from 4 p.m. until dark. Men’s Day is each Thursday from noon until dark. Tuesdays also offer half-price rates on greens fees. Call the course at (605) 3475108 for more information.
The Boulder Canyon Country Club in Sturgis offers a canyon atmosphere. Courtesy photo
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At 6,200 ft. elevation, Lead Country Club is the Highest Course East of the Rockies. Lead Country Club was one of the first golf courses built in the Black Hills in 1922 and the clubhouse was built in 1923. Lead Country Club is known for primarily two things... our small, but receptive, undulating greens, and our world famous #1 tee. The tee shot is one of the prettiest and most demanding golf shots in the Black Hills... and you get to try it right in front of everyone in the Clubhouse. We are family and group friendly and while we don’t take tee times, if your group is over 5, we suggest calling ahead. Lead Country Club is a member owned, 9 hole full service Country Club. We are a Par 36 with Red, White, and Blue tees. Our Clubhouse offers breakfast and lunch and we invite you to enjoy your favorite beverage on our deck overlooking the golf course.
Fees: 9 holes - $20/walk • $30/cart Mens Day: Wednesday afternoons after 1:00 p.m.
Course Open May 1st - Oct. 15th (weather permitting) Clubhouse open 7:00 a.m. till dark 11208 Ironwood Lane • 605-584-1852
Located 7 miles south of Lead on Hwy 85 off the Rochford Road.
V I S I T U S O N FA C E B O O K O R O N L I N E AT L E A D C O U N T R Y C L U B . C O M
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BLACK HILLS PIONEER GOLF GUIDE
April 2013
Tomahawk Lake Country Club surrounded by beauty By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
Tomahawk Lake Country Club offers picturesque views, like the one from the green on hole No. 1. Courtesy photo
LEAD — Tomahawk Lake Country Club offers scenery and history for golfers of all types. The course is located seven miles south of Deadwood off Highway 385. Open meadows and pine trees dominate the course, which sets about one mile above sea level in the Black Hills National Forest. The nine-hole, par-36 course spans 3,390 yards off the longest tees. Board of directors member Linda Blair said No. 3 serves as the course’s signature hole. The 179-yard, par-3 hole features an elevated tee box and small green. A 10-acre practice area enables golfers to warm up before going on the course. The clubhouse features a bar, restaurant facilities, deck, and seating area. A pro shop provides merchandise, balls, and clubs. Cart storage and two private locker rooms are included. Board member Kathy Eide said the board has received donations to update the course in recent years. Improvements included granite markets for each hole, plus an upgrade of
the watering system. Eide said course history could persuade a golfer to give Tomahawk a chance. Famed course designer Lawrence Hughes designed the Tomahawk course in 1936. He also designed numerous courses like the California-based La Quinta Country Club, but Tomahawk represented his first independent effort. “The space from the fifth green to the sixth tee box is onehalf mile long and goes through the woods,” Eide said in describing one of Tomahawk’s many unique features. Besides sitting on the board, Eide has played Tomahawk for 30 years. “I like the interaction with wildlife, and there is a huge range of weather,” she said. Eide said snow has fallen at Tomahawk during the summer months. The wildlife includes elk and deer. Tomahawk has hosted the women’s Sacajawea Tournament for the last 25 years. This one-day scramble event features a maximum of 36, four-person teams. The course may be reached by calling (605) 578-2080.
Rocky Knolls Golf Course is an adventure By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
CUSTER — Rocky Knolls Golf Course, near Custer, is a nine-hole, par-32 course that spans 3,084 yards from the longest tees. General manager and outside superintendent Steve Price regards number 1 as one of the course’s signature holes. He said a golfer tees off into a landing, and the second shot is where the adventure begins. “That second shot has to go through a narrow gap, and it can be very unforgiving,” said Price, who estimated that gap as 25 to 30 yards. This 417-yard hole is a par 5. Number 8 also poses a major challenge, according to Price. He said a golfer must have a straight shot on this 184-yard par 3, or things can be difficult. Price added it features a high tee and drops roughly 150 feet to a large green. Price said the Black Hills scenery would entice golfers to try this course for a round, or a day. “The course was always there, and we chipped away what we didn’t need,” he explained. Tee times may be made up to 14 days in advance, and shirts are required on the course. Golfers may see wildlife like deer, woodchucks, and wild turkeys. Cart rental, bar and kitchen facilities, club rental, and a pro shop are available on site. Price said the pro shop and kitchen have undergone renovations in the recent past. Price said Rocky Knolls is working on promotions to attract people who may wish to play after 6 p.m. Rocky Knolls Golf Course is located 2/3 miles west of downtown Custer along Highway 16. Call the course at (605) 673-4481 for more information.
The Rocky Knolls Golf Course in Custer offers adventurous holes, like hole No. 1. Courtesy photo
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Designed by renowned golf course architect Lawrence Hughes in the mid 1930’s, Tomahawk Lake Country Club is a picturesque nine-hole, par 36 course located just seven miles south of Historic Deadwood, South Dakota. From narrow fairways lined by tall pine trees to dramatic elevation changes from tee box to green, all 3,390 yards meanders through the Black Hills National Forest to provide a challenging course.
This clubhouse offers golfers a full service bar and restaurant plus a large deck to enjoy. Also a driving range and a putting and chipping practice green.
2013 SEASON RATES: All prices are subject to sales tax.
With this coupon
Play 18 Holes for the price of 9 Holes
Daily Green Fees: (Tee Times on Sat. & Sun. only) 9 Holes - $18 Monday-Thursday, $20 Friday-Sunday 18 Holes - $34 Monday-Thursday, $36 Friday-Sunday 9 Hole Punch Card (10 punches per card) for $150.00 Cart Rentals: 9 Holes - $16 • 18 Holes - $26
Check out our Twilight Rates • Corporate Membership Available
21496 US HWY 385 , DEADWOOD, SD 57732
with cart rental required
Tomahawk Country Club Hwy 385 S, Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-2080
Open golf closes at dark and 4:00 pm on Wednesday for Ladie’s Day and Thursday for Men’s Day.
605-578-2080
WWW.GOLFTOMAHAWK.COM
premier Black Hills BLACK HILLS PIONEER GOLF GUIDE
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The
Destination
Elkhorn Ridge Golf Course is a regulation 9-Hole facility open to the golfing public. The course has a 285 ft. elevation change giving way to spectacular views of the historic Centennial Valley. Plans are underway for an additional 9 Holes. In addition to a championship layout with an awesome Northern Black Hills backdrop, Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club offers upscale Practice Facilities. Along with large practice greens and bunkers, Elkhorn Ridge also hosts the regions only double-ended Driving Range, enabling customers to practice fromboth the east and west ends of the facility, allowing privacy and the luxury of practicing away from the rising and setting sun.
Golf:
9 Holes - $38 per person (+ tax) w/cart & water $27 (+ tax) 7am-9pm 18 Holes - $67 per person (+ tax) w/cart & water 7am - 10am $51 (+ tax) 10am-2pm • $35 (+ tax) after 2pm
Punch Cards:
(10) 9-Hole Punch Cards - $289
Fully transferable, does not include cart, expires at the end of 2013 season.
Driving Range:
Small basket (50 balls) - $6 Large Basket (100 balls) - $11 • Tour basket (165 balls) - $15 All rates are plus tax except small, large & tour driving range baskets
Hours: 7am - Dusk Private, Semi-Private & Group Lessons available. Directions: From Spearfish, I-90 East to Exit 17, south on US 85 .3 mi., then left on St. Onge Highway, North approximately 1 mi. Elkhorn Ridge Clubhouse on left just before I-90 Underpass
J R Hamblet,
DiRectoR of Golf
GReG bRanDRiet
Golf couRse supeRintenDent
April 2013
April 2013
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Elkhorn Ridge Country Club offers scenic views By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
The Elkhorn Ridge Country Club offers many elevated tees with scenic views, like the tee box on hole No. 5. Courtesy photo
SPEARFISH — Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club features more than 285 feet of elevation changes along with hidden canyons, elevated tees, and large sloping greens. This course is located on St. Onge Road about three miles east of Spearfish. The nine-hole, par-36 course measures 3,655 yards off the longest tees and offers views of the Centennial Valley. Planned improvements for this year include adding about 130 trees, mainly from the fifth through ninth holes. Ash, maple, ponderosa pine, and Colorado blue spruce are among the tree types. Golf director JR Hamblet considers number 5 the course’s signature hole. This par 5 measures 536 yards off the longest tees, and features elk print bunkering. “It looks like a huge elk walked down the fairway,” Hamblet said in describing the bunker pattern. He said number 5 also offers a view of Elkhorn Peak as one looks to the southeast. Hamblet said players who enjoy modern golf in a spectacular setting would enjoy the Elkhorn Ridge course.
He added the “modern golf” definition features large greens that are broad and sloping, plus strategically placed fairway bunkers. Practice facilities feature the region’s only double-ended driving range. Tee areas, target greens, and a greenside practice bunker are also included. The clubhouse offers a full-service golf shop, plus food and beverage services. Reservations are required for tee times. Elkhorn Ridge has a dress code in effect. Collared shirts and sleeves are preferred for men, but T-shirts are allowed. Tank tops and cut-off blue jeans are not permitted. Proper attire defined as shirts with collars, blouses, slacks, and golf shorts are preferred for women. Neat T-shirts, mid-thigh shorts/skirts, neat jeans and shorts, and tops with shoulder straps at least 2 inches wide are also acceptable. All golfers must wear golf shoes/sandals with “soft spikes. ” They may not wear metal-spiked golf shoes, football or soccer cleats, work boots, cowboy boots, or high heels. Call Elkhorn Ridge at (605) 722-4653 for more information.
Rapid City offers a variety of golf courses By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
RAPID CITY — The Rapid City area offers a variety of golf courses including Praire Ridge, Executive, Hart Ranch, Fountain Springs and The Elks. Prairie Ridge Golf Course’s signature hole may make people think twice about adopting 7 as their lucky number. Number 7 is considered the course’s “signature hole.” This 233-yard, par-3 hole requires a tee shot over a creek to reach the green. “Depending on the wind speed, a person can play this short or long,” superintendent Jim Holec said of number 7. He added a golfer must hit uphill, and the elevated green slopes to the left. The nine-hole course, located outside the gates at Ellsworth Air Force Base, features a par-36 layout for men and par 35 for women. Total distance measures 3,228 yards from the longest tees. Water comes into play on five holes. The course also boasts narrow fairways with solid landing
areas. Prairie Ridge offers a driving range, practice bunker, cart rental, club rental, and putting and chipping greens. A pro shop and snack bar are in the clubhouse. Jeff Mulz serves as the course’s golf professional during the summer. The course is located next to Ellsworth Air Force Base. Location could play a part in a person’s decision to play here. “It’s like an air show some days with the B-1s flying over,” Holec said. “The course may not look challenging, but it is.” The course requires players to wear a shirt and shoes, but the shoes may not have metal spikes. Tee times are required two days in advance. Prairie Ridge is located at 239 North Ellsworth Street in Box Elder. Call the course at (605) 9234999 for more information. The nine-hole Executive Golf Course features a par-29 layout that spans 1,323 yards off the longest tees.
Clubs and carts are available for rent. Golfers may not wear metal spikes while on the course. A golf professional is available. The Executive course is located at 200 12th Street in Rapid City. Call the course at (605) 3944124 for more information. The Hart Ranch Golf Course has hosted many South Dakota State Championship events since becoming an 18-hole course in 1995. This course located south of Rapid City boasts a par-72 layout spanning 6,841 yards off the longest tees. One-half of the course rests along a ridge, and the rest is out in the open. The front nine is a par 36 that measures 3,361 yards off the longest tees. The back nine spans 3,480 yards off the longest tees and is also a par 36. Head professional Craig Hatch said the first five holes give golfers a lot of room. Trees create a smaller margin for error starting on number six.
“We say you can take five holes to warm up,” Hatch said. “Then, you need to start paying attention.” Assistant pro Dustin Lecy offers lessons along with Hatch. Hatch said the back nine in general serves as Hart Ranch’s signature holes. “The course gets harder as you go along,” Hatch in in describing the back nine. “Holes 12 through 18 offer a combination of length of holes.” Hatch said that Spring Creek winds through the grounds. Hatch said the course also features wavy, big greens. “There is not a shot you can take off,” he said. The course plans some changes this year. They include providing easier access to number 16 and installing a new ladies’ tee box on number 15. Fountain Springs Golf Club is one of the area’s shorter courses. The 9-hole, par-35 course spans 2,880 yards from the longest tees. Fountain Springs is located at 1750 Fountain Plaza Drive in Rapid City.
Call the course at (605) 3424653 for more information. The Elks Golf Course offers lots of variety and challenge for golfers of all experience levels. The 18-hole, par-71 course measures 5,909 yards off the longest tees. Creek-side vistas dominate the front nine. Golfers may see wildlife including ducks, deer, geese, and the occasional wild turkey or mink. Elevated tees are featured on the back nine, which also allows chances for birds to nest. Views of prairie lands and the Badlands dominate the scenery. A pro shop offers the newest merchandise. Golf professionals offer lessons; club-fitting services are also available. The course also offers a full-service bar and dining room. A driving range, rental carts, and rental clubs are offered. Golfers may not wear metal spikes on the course. The Elks course is located at 3333 East 39th Street in Rapid City. Call (605) 393-0522 for more information.
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April 2013
Meadowbrook Golf Course offers challenging holes By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
RAPID CITY — South Dakota has hosted only two United States Golf Association events. Meadowbrook Golf Course in Rapid City sponsored one USGA Women’s Public Links Championships in 1984. The Meadowbrook course features 18 holes spanning a total of 6,933 yards from the longest tees. Par on this course is 72. Rapid Creek comes into play on five holes. The course features more than 60 bunkers. David Gill Corporation of St. Charles, Ill., designed the layout in the mid-1970s. Golf pro Matt Kimball considers number 9 as Meadowbrook’s “signature hole.” He said the three-shot par 5 double doglegs around large cottonwood trees. “Golfers must cross Rapid Creek twice en route to the green,” said Kimball, who provides golf instruction by appointment. Meadowbrook superintendent JJ Walraven regards number 18 as another signature hole. “This par 5 is the finishing hole, and the creek is on the right side,” he said. “It is 10 or 15 yards from the fairway.” A full-service pro shop is available at the clubhouse, along with snack bar and grill facilities. A driv-
ing range and two practice greens are also at the course. Golf cart rentals are available, and people may store their carts on site. Walraven said Meadowbrook is ranked as the state’s number 3 course. “It’s easy to walk and doesn’t have any big hills,” he added. “It has a park-like atmosphere, is in the heart of Rapid City, and easy to get to.” Changes for the near future include a new restaurant vendor, a new fleet of EZ-Go golf carts, and use of a Starter Shack that has not been used in five years. Kimball said those changes would result in improved customer service. The 60 bunkers occupy a total area of 75,000 square feet. Walraven said that would be reduced to about 55,000 square feet this fall. Meadowbrook holds many high school golf events throughout the year. Golf Week magazine named Meadowbrook third on the list of best courses in South Dakota for 2012. Golf Digest magazine ranked this course number three in the state during 2011. The course is at 3625 Jackson Boulevard in Rapid City. Call the course at (605) 394-4191 for more information.
Meadowbrook Golf Course in Rapid City has received many honors including being named as the No. 3 golf course in South Dakota by Golf Week Magazine. Courtesy photo
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BLACK HILLS PIONEER GOLF GUIDE
April 2013
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Southern Hills Golf Course By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
HOT SPRINGS — Hot Springs is home to Southern Hills Golf Course, one of the few 18-hole courses in the area. Southern Hills Golf Course is a par-70 course measuring 5,905 yards off the longest tees. The course features many ravines and ponderosa pine trees. Both nine-hole sides boast a par 35. The front nine spans 2,969 yards off the longest tees. The back nine covers 2,936 yards. Golfers will likely see mule deer, wild turkey, and cottontail rabbits. A red fox has also made an occasional appearance. General Manager Jason Happe said number 10 and number 11 are the course’s signature holes. Number 10 is a 147-yard, par-3 hole featuring a water hazard between the tee box and green. The 11th hole contains a ravine in front of the green. Number 11 measures 338 yards from the longest tees, and it is a par 4. Happe said those holes stand out because of the scenery and challenge. He added the 10th hole also boasts a 75-foot elevation change, while number 11 has a narrow fairway. Course personnel will add several trees to make numbers 9 and 17 more challenging, according to Happe. Happe cited the playability and enjoyment factors as reasons to give the course a try. He said this course is not as busy as others in the area. Southern Hills Golf Course also offers club rentals, cart rentals, a snack bar, and new pro shop. The course is located at 1130 Clubhouse Drive, just off Highway 18 in Hot Springs. Call the course at (605) 745-6400 for more information.
The Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs puts golfers in touch with nature. Courtesy photo
Hart Ranch Golf Course By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer
RAPID CITY — Hart Ranch Golf Course has hosted many South Dakota State Championship events since becoming an 18-hole course in 1995. This course located south of Rapid City boasts a par-72 layout spanning 6,841 yards off the longest of tees. Onehalf of the course rests along a ridge, and the rest is out in the open. The front nine is a par 36 that measures 3,361 yards off the longest tees. The back nine spans 3,480 yards off the longest tees and is also a par 36. Head professional Craig Hatch said the first five holes give golfers a lot of room. Trees create a smaller margin for error starting on number 6. “We say you can take five holes to warm up,” Hatch said. “Then, you need to start paying attention.” Assistant pro Dustin Lecy offers lessons along with Hatch. Hatch said the back nine in general serves as Hart Ranch’s signature holes. “The course gets harder as you go along,” Hatch in in describing the back nine. “Holes 12 through 18 offer a combination of length of holes.” Hatch said that Spring Creek winds through the grounds. Hatch said the course also features wavy, big greens. “There is not a shot
you can take off,” he said. The course plans some changes this year. They include providing easier access to number 16 and installing a new ladies’ tee box on number 15. Hart Ranch is close to Rapid City, but Hatch said the environment is like leaving town. “It’s really quiet here,” he said. “The course conditions, I’m told, are the best in the Black Hills.” Hatch said the course runs Internet specials if price is an issue. Club rentals and cart rentals are available at Hart Ranch. The course boasts one of the Black Hills’ largest driving ranges, along with putting greens, chipping greens, and practice bunkers. Hart Ranch also contains a snack bar, plus an outdoor grill for the weekends. The facility also offers the Professional Golfers Association Family Course program, which uses a beginner-friendly short course. Patrick H. Wyss and Associates of Rapid City designed the course. This firm has designed several courses in South Dakota. Hart Ranch Golf Course is located at 23645 Clubhouse Drive in the Rapid City area. Call the course at (605) 341-5703 for more information.
Hart Ranch offers wavy big greens to make putting a challenge for golfers. Courtesy photo
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BLACK HILLS PIONEER GOLF GUIDE
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