Black Hills Golf Guide - 2015

2015 BLACK HILLS

GOLF GUIDE • Comprehensive course guide • Mini-profiles of area courses • The players you don’t want to play with • The most misunderstood rules in the game

2 | Sunday, April 26, 2015 RAPID CITY JOURNAL SPECIAL SECTION GOLF GUIDE

LET’S TEE IT UP Journal staff

After months spent inside avoiding wind and snow, dreams of lush, green fairways and putts taking that final turn before disappearing into the hole can once again be realized.

Golf season is here.

The arrival of spring means one thing to many around this part of the country.

It’s time to get the clubs out, check your grips, change your spikes and get out to the course. We are lucky in this part of the world to have plenty of great golf options to choose from, with a wide variety of courses easily playable in the same day if you want.

From the small-town prairie charm of Lake Waggoner Golf Course in Philip to the tree-lined, high elevation test at Lead Country Club, there’s a course for just about anybody within a short drive of where you’re sitting right now.

The job of the 2015 Golf Guide is to help find the right fit – location, price, difficulty, etc. – for you. We can’t all hit the ball like Dustin Johnson or putt like Jordan Spieth, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have just as much fun spending a day at the golf course.

Maybe your idea of fun is playing from the tips at the Golf Club at Red Rock (perennially one of the highest-rated courses in the state), or maybe it’s practicing your wedge-game accuracy over an extended lunch break at the nine-hole Executive Golf Course in the heart of Rapid City. That’s the beauty of playing the game in this area — there’s always an option that fits what you and whatever group you’re playing with are looking for.

So get out and enjoy what the region has to offer. The driver may not always go straight, but that doesn’t mean there’s not enjoyment to be found at a course that you may have never even thought of playing before.

Let’s tee it up.

Journal file photo

High school golfers walk to the 11th green at Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs.

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THE GOLFERS YOU DON’T WANT IN YOUR GROUP up his ball, then tosses a coin a few inches closer to the hole than where his ball had been.

Jim Stasiowski

Journal staff

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The “And just who the heck allowed you to be here on my turf, son?” golfer He and his pals have been playing this course starting at 7 a.m. every day for 30 years, so when you show up and politely ask if you may join the group, he acts as if you asked permission to take out his tonsils with a pair of pliers.

The “Those tee markers are really only a recommendation anyway, right?” golfer On the first few holes, you have only a vague inkling that he’s teeing his ball forward of the tee markers, but by the 7th or 8th, you’re convinced he’s a serial cheater who has the illusion that cutting 3 or 4 inches off each hole will improve his score.

The “I actually know what Peter Kostis is talking about when he mentions the ‘swing plane’” golfer On a good day, he shoots in the high-90s, sprays his ball to all fields (except, oddly, center), chunks plenty of chips and yips plenty of putts, yet he tries to give you lessons on everything golf-related, including how to dress.

The “Whoa, I hit that ball way right (or left), it’s either Associated Press out of bounds or Brian Davis hits out of a bunker to the 16th green during the second lost, so I can just round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament in Hilton Head Island, S.C., drop it up there” golfer on Friday, April 17. Professional players like Davis have caddies to rake sand traps for them. You don’t. Rake the trap.

He knows there are rules, which is a good start, but he errant shots, but when you’re hasn’t yet actually opened a The “Wow, that sucker scouring the left rough for rule book to figure out what is really out of bounds!” your own ball, and this guy is to do next, and if you try to golfer in the center of the fairway, explain to him the concept This guy can’t wait to tell you the obvious, so before of stroke-and-distance, he The “I am too important he pretends to be very busy you’ve even finished your follow- cuts off the conversation to rake a bunker or fix a working on his grip or stance or lunch plans. through on your headed-for-the- with, “So, what you’re ball mark” golfer saying is, I can just drop it interstate slice, he is declaring, Some golfers think that, up there?” loudly and with unmistakable after they trudge into a The “I spent big bucks glee, that your shot has left the sand trap and gouge craters on this electronic with their spikes and their rangefinder, so I intend property.

The “This is going to clubs, they should not have to use it before every be a five-hour round no to stoop to the kind of work shot, no matter how matter what” golfer The “Hmmmm … my ball they deem better suited to much time I waste by doing is in the middle of the cart This is the guy that the grounds crew. Deigning to so” golfer path, so I’m allowed to has to read every putt bend over and fix a ball mark? The people who insist on using drop on either side” golfer from four different angles ...

Yeah, right. Don’t be that guy. rangefinders usually aren’t good twice. And it doesn’t matter He clearly has a creative Respect the course and leave how many groups are stacked enough to know the difference interpretation of the meaning it better than you found it. up on the tee box behind between hitting a shot from of the phrase “closest point of him. If you want to treat your 162 yards or 156, but using relief.” weekend round with your The “I am too important the rangefinder gobbles up buddies like the back nine otherwise valuable shot-playing to help you look for The “Marking my ball on at the U.S. Open, that’s your time, and as most rangefinderyour ball” golfer the green is really only equipped players know, it’s an approximation anyway, prerogative, but please, please, You try to help all the please just let everybody else important to play slowly, the right?” golfer players in your group, play through. way the pros do on TV. even strangers. find their He leans down, first picks

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Rapid City Elks Golf Course at the Elks Lodge #1187

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Non members welcome every day except Wednesday.

Fully Stocked Pro Shop, Club Fitting, Club Repair, Driving Range, Great Restaurant & Lounge Weddings & Receptions

18 Holes Non-members: $45.00 Members: $36.00 9 Holes Non-members: $30.00 Members: $25.00 Twilight Green Fees 18 Holes with cart after 2 p.m.

Non-members: $48.00 Members: $38.00 9 Holes with cart after 5 p.m.

Now Selling Season Passes Non-members: $33.00 to Non-Elk Members Members: $28.00 No Twilight Rates on Wed. Hours: 6 a.m. to Dusk

Ask how you can become a member

• 18 Holes • Par 72 • Driving Range – Open to the Public • Junior Program • Cart Rental • Lessons – All Levels We Specialize in Corporate Outings and Benefit Tournaments 3333 E. 39th Street, Rapid City, SD Call to schedule your tee time

605-393-0522 or online at

www.rcelks.org

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THE GAME’S MOST MISUNDERSTOOD RULES Journal staff

Editors note: This is a piece written by local golf professional Craig Hatch of Hart Ranch on the most misunderstood, misinterpreted or flat-out ignored rules in golf.

I suppose there are many rules of golf that get misinterpreted or even ignored, but many of them also occur infrequently. In looking at situations that happen often, the first that comes to mind is affectionately known as ‘The Village Idiot’ rule (17-4).

Say you chipped in from off the green and the ball is resting against the flagstick and the lip of the hole. It is not holed yet because the entire ball is not below the lip. So, if you carefully remove the flagstick and the ball falls to the bottom, then you are deemed to have holed out with the last stroke; otherwise the ball, if moved, must be placed on the lip of the hole.

Another that happens frequently is determining relief for a ball in a water hazard (26-1). If the ball is not actually found, it could very easily be considered a lost ball (27-1) instead. It can be a big deal because the penalty for the water hazard is one stroke; the penalty for the lost ball is stroke and distance.

It can’t be a guess, and players are always trying to convince me that it went into the hazard — thereby receiving the lesser sentence. It is a question of fact whether the ball is in the hazard or not. The Rule book states, “In the absence of knowledge or virtual certainty that a ball struck toward a water hazard, but not found, is in the hazard, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.”

Now, as a Rules Official, my side of this story is simple … most of the time I drive up to the

Associated Press

Jordan Spieth tees off on the 18th hole during the third round of the 2015 Masters in Augusta, Ga.

Three from Arrowhead pro J.R. Hamblet • Players thinking they can just drop a ball at the point of where your ball last crossed the margin of the golf course boundary.

• Utilizing the “equidistant” option when your ball has crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard.

• And not necessarily a rule, but the thing that bugs me the most: The use of the phrase “best ball” being mistaken for a scramble! That one drives me batty!

situation and people are looking everywhere for a ball. I mean rough, hazard, bushes, trees — they’re looking everywhere. At that point “knowledge or virtual certainty” just flew out the window. They don’t know where it is. Period. It is always good to at least get a consensus from your group before you leave the original lie. “Knowledge or virtual certainty” doesn’t mean you have to have seen it go in, but be careful in making assumptions.

A provisional might be in order.

All in all, there are very few of us (PGA Tour players included) that really have a working

knowledge of the Rules of Golf.

It is a daunting task. There is no game like golf.

Most outdoor games — baseball, football, hockey, tennis, for example — are conducted on well-defined playing fields, on which the conditions are pretty much duplicated wherever that particular sport is played. The one common standard for golf is the size of the hole, 4-¼ inches, and perhaps also the number of holes, 18. Otherwise, it is difficult to imagine the tremendous variety of conditions, objects and circumstances with which the rules must cope. In addition,

there is no other game which may be played in such a variety of ways, such as match play or stroke play or with sides constituted as singles, foursomes or four balls.

It started out very simple, “play the ball as it lies and play the course as you found it.”

Then we began to try to make certain situations fair, and being fair gets complicated.

The important thing is that golfers acquire a certain spirit of the game. Tom Watson’s longtime caddy, Bruce Edwards, also caddied for Greg Norman for three years in the middle of his career. He was asked how the two legends were different to caddy for and he put it quite simply. He said that when Greg Norman would walk up to his drive in the fairway and find it in someone else’s divot, he would ask, “Why me?” When Tom Watson found his drive in a divot he’d say, “Watch this.”

That’s the spirit.

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Hart Ranch is a super scenic course off Highway 16.

Journal file

HMMMMM ...

WHERE SHOULD I PLAY GOLF TODAY? Black Hills and surrounding area has a cascade of terrific tracks Journal staff

When you boil it down, playing golf in this region comes down to handling a pair of key course attributes: elevation and undulation.

While courses in other parts of the country have lakes, bunkers or length as their main defenses, in the Black Hills the biggest thing that makes playing golf a challenge is the topography, which ranges from rolling to outright raucous.

Golfers here know they must hit to certain spots on the fairway or greens to have a chance at a birdie or par.

And that demand for accuracy, required course knowledge and incumbent skill set are what make golf here such a treat. Add in abundant wildlife, tall sweet-smelling pines, crisp mountain air and generally

friendly folks, and you’ve got a recipe for a fine morning or afternoon.

So, to whet your appetite for a taste of that great golf, and let you know which courses might tickle your fairway fancy, here are short profiles of courses across the region.

RAPID CITY AREA Arrowhead Country Club

This private 18-hole club on Sheridan Lake Road relies on narrow fairways and tough greens to make up for a relative lack of length. The greens are usually hard to hit and quick once you’ve reached them.

Length off the tee is not a necessity on most of the holes but accuracy is as tree-lined fairways are sure to penalize even a slightly errant tee shot. A

long-hitter can definitely shave a few strokes on the course’s par-5 holes, which are all reachable in two shots. Arrowhead has added a new practice tee as well as a new cart path.

Elks Lodge 1187 Golf Course

This course on Rapid City’s south side is a tale of two 9-hole tracks. The old-school front nine is pretty flat and not overly long as it snakes its way around scenic Rapid Creek. Its mostly smallish greens require solid iron play, and mature trees can wreak havoc on loose shots.

The back nine is more of a classic subdivision course, with tighter landing areas and far more elevation changes than the front. Overall, a very playable and interesting test of golf.

Fountain Springs Golf Club

This fun 9-holer along the

interstate in Rapid City is short but demanding, requiring solid shot-making to find its small greens that are usually tucked up on mounds or guarded by creeks or ponds. Many holes only require a fairway wood from the tee rather than driver, and wedges are a common tool to approach the greens. Veteran players speak of keeping your eyes open to other players since holes are parallel and errant shots common.

Golf Club at Red Rock

Two tips will help players succeed, or simply survive, at the “Red Rock,” an 18-hole Rapid City track known for its elevation changes and super vistas. First, control your tee ball on this winding up-anddown course or you can easily » Play, 10

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SUNDANCE COUNTRY CLUB 1-307-283-1191 1612 East Cleveland, Sundance WY 82729

9-Hole Regulation Length Course • 35 par | 2,915 yards | 105 slope

Green Fees are

Weekdays

9 holes $16.00 18 holes $22.00

Weekends

9 holes $20.00 18 holes $30.00

We off a military discount and we have a Monday special of $25.00 for all day and includes cart.

Sundance Country Club, Inc. Great Golf, Great rates and a Great time

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Play

NORTHERN HILLS Belle Fourche Country Club

end up in a ravine or rocky hillside. Secondly, keep your approach shots below the hole since most of the ultra-quick greens have severe back-tofront slopes that make threeputts a certainty if rolling them downhill. A scenic but testy track. Watch out for the many deer that populate the course. Red Rock has added a new practice green, including a sand facility for practicing bunker shots.

Journal staff

Hart Ranch Golf Course

LaCroix Links is a great beginner’s course and a great place to hone The super-scenic 18-hole your skills.

track south of Rapid City off the road to Rushmore boasts some of the best views and variables in the area. Some holes are flat but tight; others require pinpoint accuracy off the tee; and the par-3 holes are all testy but attractive. A flatter front nine is followed by a backside nestled along a ridge of Ponderosa pine trees. Players will literally use every club in their bag here, and must take special care with the flatstick, since most greens undulate significantly. Additions in 2015 include a new wedge practice course.

LaCroix Links Golf Course

This executive course run by the local YMCA in south Rapid City is a great place to sharpen the short game, or to learn the game from the ground up. The track has eight par-3 holes and added its first par-4 hole in 2012. The home of the local First Tee program for youth golfers, the course is a perfect place to take a child to learn the game. Very affordable rates that rarely go above $10 make this one of the most accessible courses in the region for beginners.

Meadowbrook Golf Course This municipal 18-holer on Rapid’s west side is fair but challenging to golfers of all skill levels. Flat in some areas, hilly in others, the track features a mix of holes that require a variety of shots.

With babbling Rapid Creek winding through the course, there are plenty of places to lose a ball but also take in a scenic view. Great for walking, this track is a great spot for a relaxing, not overly demanding day on the links.

players who are just learning the game. While there were no additions to the course itself, the clubhouse got a “face lift,” with new lighting and a new deck.

Mature trees and tight fairways make for a major challenge at this public 9-hole track in Belle Fourche.

At around 3,000 yards, it isn’t long, but the track makes up for it with super scenery and what the course says is the second-hardest par-3 in the state: the 210-yard second hole.

Affordable and fun, the course features water on three holes and challenges throughout.

The clubhouse is under new management and now offers food, including takeout.

On the course itself, they’ve added a new ball dispenser on the driving range, new tee boxes, sand traps, water hazards and grass bunkers.

Golf Carts, In s ’ r e t t c.

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Rapid City Municipal Executive Course

This 9-hole par-29 track will not test every club in a player’s bag, but it’s a good way to get out and get some work in on the wedge game.

The course has seven par-3 holes that are all under 150 yards and a pair of par-4 holes that both play under 300 yards. The executive plays along Rapid Creek, which comes into play on four holes. This is a great course for youngsters and other

6805 Black Hawk Road Black Hawk, South Dakota Sales • Parts • Accessories Service • Lease • Rental Fleet

(605) 716-6805

RAPID CITY JOURNAL SPECIAL SECTION

GOLF GUIDE

Journal file

The course at the Lead Country Club has the highest elevation east of the Rockies.

Boulder Canyon Country Club

challenge both from the tee and on the approaches. Its location This 9-hole track just south just below a large hill make for of Sturgis boasts 3,430 yards scenic vistas; overall a sporty of lush golf in a classic Black and fun Hills course.

Hills setting of mature pines and winding fairways. Driving Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club Views of Centennial Valley areas are fairly wide open, but its small greens and numer- abound on this 9-hole pubous dogleg holes provide a lic track located in Spearfish.

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Situated on the side of the Black Hills, this track has numerous elevated tee boxes that provide impressive views of accessible fairways that are often protected by elk-footprint shaped bunkers. Large but sloping greens make a round fair but also challenging. Watch out for hidden canyons that can eat duffed drives. Recent changes include a raised tee box at hole No. 1 and a new irrigation system along holes No. 5 and No. 8.

Lead Country Club

This public play course 7 miles south of Lead boasts the highest elevation east of the Rockies at 6,200 feet, and also one of the best starting holes in the state. The first tee looks out over the entire course and valley below. With holes that cut through woodlands and tree-lined meadows, and small greens that are extremely

undulating back-to-front, the 9-hole course may be only 3,331 yards but plays much tougher.

Newell Golf Club

Though mostly flat, wideopen and fairly straight, this 9-hole course west of Newell in Butte County is located along a large lake and wetlands that provide for some interesting holes and terrific views. Whipping winds are also a frequent factor on this public track that offers very affordable rates.

Spearfish Canyon Country Club

This public course in Spearfish is a study in contrasts as the front and back nines play differently. The front nine is a traditional layout with plenty of trees coming into play before reaching the smallish, humpbacked greens. The smaller  Play, 16

11519 Sturgis Rd. (Exit 48, I-90) Black Hawk, SD

1-888-400-2827 605-787-9111 M-F 8-5, Sat 8-12

Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota

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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COUR Belle Fourche Reservoir

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W. Chica g o St.

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Canyon Lake Park

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Dahl Arts Center

Dinosaur Park

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Bear Butte National Wildlife refuge and recreation area

SPEARFISH

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CUSTER

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Thunder Basin National Grassland

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Jewel Cave National Monument

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89 385 Wind Cave National Park

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Buffalo Gap National Grassland

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RSES IN AND AROUND THE BLACK HILLS Black Hills Visitor Center

more Mall

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City Hospital

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Course/Address/Phone/Website/Holes

Course/Address/Phone/Website/Holes

Arrowhead Country Club; 3675 Sheridan Lake Road, Rapid City; 605342-6389; arrowheadccrc.com; 18

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Elkhorn Ridge, 6845 St. Onge Road, Spearfish; 605-722-4653; golfelkhorn. com; 9

Rapid City Executive Golf Course; 200 12th St., Rapid City; 605-394-4124; None; 9

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Elks 1187 Golf Course, 3333 Jolly Lane, Rapid City; 605-393-0522; rcelks.org/ golf; 18

Ridgeview Country Club; 16611 Hwy 385, Chadron, Neb.; 308-432-4468; None; 9

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Fountain Springs Golf Course; 1750 Fountain Plaza Drive, Rapid City; 605342-4653; fountainsprings.net; 9

Riverview Golf and Country Club, 100928 County Road 19, Scottsbluff, Neb.; 308-635-1555; none; 18

Golf Club at Red Rock; 6520 Birkdale Drive, Rapid City; 605-718-4710; golfclubatredrock.com; 18

Rocky Knolls Golf Course; 12181 US 16, Custer; 605-673-4481; rockyknollsgolfcourse.com; 9

Hart Ranch Golf Course; 23645 Clubhouse Drive, Rapid City; 605-3415703; hartranch.com; 18

Southern Hills Golf Course; 1130 Clubhouse Drive, Hot Springs; 605-7456400; hotspringssdgolf.com; 18

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Golf Course; 3625 O Meadowbrook Belle Fourche Country Club; Highway Jackson Blvd, Rapid City; 605-394B 85 & 34, Belle Fourche; 605-892-3472; 4191; golfatmeadowbrook.com; 18 www.bellefourchecountryclub.com; 9 Country Club; 2302 West Main, P Newcastle Boulder Canyon Country Club; 12312 Newcastle, Wyo.; 307-746-2639; None; 9 C US 14A, Sturgis; 605-347-5108; bouldercanyoncountryclub.com; 9 Golf Club; 12963 Orman Road, Q Newell Newell; 605-456-2195; newellgolfclub.

Golf Course; Highway 85, com; 9 D Buffalo Buffalo; 605-375-3313; None; 9 Ridge Golf Course; 239 N. R Prairie Devils Tower Golf, Hulett, Wyo.; 307Ellsworth Road, Box Elder; 605-923E 467-5773 devilstowergolf.com; 18 4999; ellsworthfss.com; 9

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Note: Information in this list has been collected from websites and interviews.

Always call ahead to fully confirm information.

Legend Buttes G.C.; 3440 Hwy 20, Crawford, Neb.; 308-665-2431; None; 9

Indian Meadows Golf Course, 2746 West Walker Road, North Platte, Neb.; 308-532-6955; www.golfindianmeadows. com; 9

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LaCroix Links; 3820 Odde Drive, Rapid City; 605-394-5325; rcymca.org; 9

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Spearfish Canyon Country Club; 120 Spearfish Canyon, Spearfish; 605-7174653; spearfishcanyoncountryclub.com; 18 Tomahawk Country Club; 21496 US 385, Deadwood; 605-578-2080; golftomahawk.com; 9

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Country Club; 21826 Hanna Road, Z M Lead Lead; 605-584-1852; leadcountryclub.

com; 9

Wall Community Golf Course; 1801 Golf Course Road, Wall; 605-279-4653; None; 9

14 | Sunday, April 26, 2015 RAPID CITY JOURNAL SPECIAL SECTION GOLF GUIDE

Don’t miss out on the sweetest sounds in golf.

Don’t settle for under par hearing.

If you’re ready to hear what you’ve been missing, Miracle-Ear can help. Call or visit us today.

Rapid City Miracle-Ear Center 29 Baken Park Shopping Ctr • 605-343-9262 Spearfish Miracle-Ear Center 1940 North St, Ste A • 605-642-1757 800-727-2459

RAPID CITY JOURNAL SPECIAL SECTION

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Play greens, elevation changes and tree-lined fairways make for a definite challenge. The back nine is a little more modern in its setup and plays longer than the front nine by nearly 400 yards, but errant tee shots will be penalized just the same. A true test. Additions include new tee boxes, bunkers and a remodeled pro shop.

The Golf Club at Devil’s Tower

This Hulett, Wyo., course provides not only views of its namesake 1,300-foot rock intrusion but also incredible challenges and treats for a golfer.

With a blend of short and long holes — some open and some tight — this track boasts a memorable round from any tee box.

At more than 7,100 yards from the tips, this can be a brute; though it can also play as a shot- Prairie Ridge is a 9-hole public course near Ellsworth Air Force Base. maker’s course from the forward tees. The scenery and the winding nature of the course make it this volunteer-run course of length as they navigate the worth the drive from Rapid. operates on the honor system ravines, rolling hills and Ponand only charges $5 or so per derosa Pines that guard many Tomahawk Lake Country Club round. For that rate, no one holes. Truly a local gem that The breathtaking views could expect perfection, and sticks in one’s memory. at this public 9-hole gem near on that standard, this public Deadwood may distract golf- 9-hole delivers. It boasts allers from the game itself. Cut grass greens, but not much in through tall pines within the terms of fairway sod. Still, a Rocky Knolls Golf Course This 9-hole track in Custer Black Hills National Forest, this few dogleg holes and a small plays to 3,084 yards and meanlush 3,390-yard tester has eleva- creek winding through the ders through mature Ponderosa tion changes so severe shots may course give it some character.

Pines with scenic views of the require two more or less clubs. A southern Black Hills. Accuracy winding creek comes into play on off the tee is at a premium here four holes in this mile-high track Southern Hills Golf Course since wayward drives will often whose holes are cut through a True Black Hills golf can be lead to chip-outs or blocked dense forest. Legend has it a disgruntled golfer once chain-sawed found at this 18-hole, par-70 approaches. Some holes sway a stand of trees, but no worry: track in Hot Springs. A favorite with the landscape, making for of many area players, this track a different round each time it is mature trees remain abundant. is short but tight and each hole played. A few holes have greens brings a unique driving and tucked back into stands of approach challenge. A 2011 pines. A playable, entertaining SOUTHERN HILLS “Golfweek’s Best” course, the track for all skill levels. Recent track plays to only 5,905 yards renovations have been made to Edgemont Golf Course Located south of Edgemont, but players who aren’t care- the club house, including the ful may never notice the lack addition of a bar.

Journal file

AROUND THE REGION Buffalo Golf Course

If ever you find yourself in Buffalo, in Harding County in the far northwest corner of the state, you may want to give this unique track a try. The course has a par of 32 and artificial grass greens, but it has no clubhouse to speak of and no phone or web site. Payment is on the honor system. For less than $10, a player can go all day. The course is located north of town near the airport.

Indian Meadows Golf Course

This North Platte, Neb. nine-holer describes itself as a “parkland” design, probably due to the fact it is pretty flat and on the open prairie. Still, this fun, highly playable course »» Play, 18

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the clubhouse, including the addition of a lounge and pro shop and rental carts are now of 6,536 yards is no simple available. walk in the park. Golfers must navigate some dogleg holes, two-tier greens and a creek Riverview Golf & Country that winds through a woods. Club The signature hole is probably One claim to fame of this the short par-3 third, where Scottsbluff, Neb., 18-hole a 161-yard shot must launch country club is being home to from a small nook in the trees, Nebraska’s only aqua-driving traverse a creek, and find a range. But the golf itself is home on a split-level green. what really stands out. Cutting The course wraps up with two through mature oaks, pines consecutive par-5 holes. and cottonwood trees on a rolling landscape, this track is Prairie Ridge Golf Course as scenic as it is tough. Water Located on Ellsworth Air comes into play on four holes.

Force Base in Box Elder, this A series of greenside bunkers public 9-hole track features requires accurate approach several dogleg holes, a few play on this par-70 track of green-side bunkers, a large 6,024 yards. Holes six through lake and smallish greens that nine are well-known for being require accuracy with the guarded by towering trees and irons. With few trees, miss- requiring strong iron play. ing a fairway is often forgiven.

A very playable course that Legends Buttes Golf Club allows golfers to bomb away This Crawford, Neb., course (no pun intended!) but which is nestled at the bottom of a often takes the brunt of local large butte just west of town. winds that can add difficulty. A few of its nine holes wind Some solid par-3 holes round around a small lake and some out the track. Prairie Ridge cut through stands of mature has also added a restaurant, trees. Dogleg holes are comexpected to open sometime in mon here, so wise club selecmid-May. tion is rewarded. A fun track all around.

Play

Ridgeview Country Club

This 9-holer in Chadron, Neb., is set on a relatively flat but scenic patch of land that is surrounded by hills and buttes and overlooks the town. With 3,465 yards to play with, the typically lush fairways are fairly wide open, allowing for big swings of the driver that are needed because several holes play long (No. 7 is 570 yards!)

Traps and ponds are present to catch wayward shots. Well worth the drive south. Renovations have been made to

Wall Golf Course

A long but relatively wideopen 9-hole course awaits golfers who venture east from Rapid City to Wall. This 9-hole course that plays to 3,800 yards features few trees and only a handful of greenside bunkers, but several doglegs and a steady breeze that add difficulty. Great rates and a relatively easy go-round make this a course for players of all skill levels. Renovations in 2015 include the addition of a restaurant in the clubhouse.

SDGA CALENDAR SDGA Championships www.sdga.org 2015 U.S. Open Qualifying May 11 This is an 18-hole qualifying event open to professional golfers and to amateur golfers who have a handicap index of 1.4 or better. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, April 29 at 4 p.m. CDT. Entries are accepted only though the United States Golf Association.

The Country Club of Sioux Falls 36th Annual Mid-Amateur Championship June 6-7 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, May 27 at 6 p.m. CDT. Hillsview Golf Course 29th Annual Two-Man Championship June 13-14, 2015 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, June 3 at 6 p.m. CDT. Meadowbrook Golf Course 2015 U.S. Girls Junior Qualifying June 23 This is an 18-hole qualifying event open to amateur players with a handicap index of 18.4 or better. Entrants cannot be 18 years old on or before July 25. Deadline to enter is June 3 by 4 p.m. CDT. The Country Club of Sioux Falls 41st Annual HusbandWife Championship June 27-28 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. CDT. Brookings Country Club 5th Annual Senior HusbandWife Championship June 27-28 Deadline to enter is Wednesday,

June 17 at 6 p.m. CDT. Brookings Country Club 5th Annual Mixed Team Championship TBA Deadline to enter is Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. CDT. Mixed Team Championship competitors will play from a different set of Tees than the Husband/Wife and Sr. Husband/Wife divisions.

Husband/Wife teams wishing to compete in the Mixed Team Championship must declare their intent when signing up for the event.

Brookings Country Club 2015 U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifying June 30 This is a 36-hole qualifying event open to players with a handicap index of 6.4 or better.

Entrants cannot be 18 years of age on or before July 25.

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, June 3 by 4 p.m. CDT. Bakker Crossing Golf Course 2015 U.S. Amateur Qualifying July 6 This is a 36-hole qualifying event open to amateur players with a handicap index of 2.4 or better. Deadline to enter is June 24 by 4 p.m. CDT. Bakker Crossing Golf Course 95th Annual Match Play Championship July 9-13 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. CDT. Lakeview Golf Course

»» Calendar, 22

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20 | Sunday, April 26, 2015 RAPID CITY JOURNAL SPECIAL SECTION GOLF GUIDE

Features: • The Black Hill’s only Private Club • 18-hole Golf Course • New Cart Paths • New Practice Tee • Unlimited Driving Range • Greens open year round • Indoor/Outdoor Tennis Facility • Fitness Center • Swimming Pool • Full Service Clubhouse • Fine and Casual Dining

Arrowhead is proud to be one of the finest golf courses in Western South Dakota.

Not only can you play 18 holes in 4 hours or less, most days you can get a tee time whenever it’s convenient for you.

Arrowhead features fast greens that are open year round, and the course is challenging due to many undulations and doglegs, relatively small greens, bunkering, water hazards, and strategically placed trees. Arrowhead offers our golfing members unlimited pracice facility privileges, bag storage service and many other amenities.

Arrowhead staffs a PGA Professional and offers junior programs and private or group lessons.

The Golf Shop can meet all your golfing needs with a vast selection of apparel, products and supplies.

For Membership Information or connief@arrowheadrc.com.

contact

Connie

Forstner

at

605‐342‐6477

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GOLF GUIDE

Sunday, April 26, 2015 | 21

CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS OLYMPIC GOLF COURSE Courtroom drama swirls around Rio 2016 track Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO | The golf course for the 2016 Olympics has been embroiled in legal wrangling since the day three years ago when American golf architect Gil Hanse won the design contest over other bidders including Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

Local prosecutors have sued wealthy developer Pasquale Mauro about ownership rights of the golf course property — some of the most expensive in Rio de Janeiro — and then for infringing environmental rules to carve the course out of a nature reserve.

A n o t h e r p ro se c u to r i s weighing charges against Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes for granting concessions to Mauro to build the $20 million course.

Paes has been lauded by International Olympic Committee officials as a “key player” in getting things done in Rio, which has faced delays preparing the games.

The developer is planning 160 opulent marble and glass apartments at the edge of the course, starting at about $2 million. A few penthouses could go for four times that much in Barra da Tijuca, the western Rio suburb at the center of the Olympics.

Some question whether another golf course is needed in Rio, where few play the game.

The city has two courses, and one — Itanhanga Golf Club — has 27 holes and has held a European Tour event and an LPGA tournament.

The activist group Golfe Para Quem (Golf For Whom) has held

“challenges” building the course a year ago in an interview with AP. Last month he spelled them out in an interview with the Golf Channel.

“Everybody knows there have been ups and downs, bumps in the road with this,” Hanse said.

“There’s just been issues with the landowner-developer, proper resources, timing, etc. I think I was very naive about doing business in Brazil. I was warned by a lot of people it would be a challenge. But I just assumed this is the Olympics. This is a priority.

They have to get this straight. I Associated Press think what we found over these 3 1/2 years is that’s not necesA worker cuts the grass on the Olympic Golf course in Rio de Janeiro sarily the truth.” on March 25, 2015. The mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, has defended the city’s controversial Olympic golf course, which has become a NO COMPROMISE touchstone of criticism from environmental activists and is at the Hanse, who hinted last year center of complicated legal wranglings since the course was partially the course might fall short of carved out of a nature reserve. expectations, talks confidently over the next six months heading now. small protests for months at into Rio’s mild winter season.

“At the end of the day, all of the course. Last month a group There is probably plenty of time those issues that have occurred of protesters entered a luxury for the Olympics. The crunch have impacted the timeline,” hotel at Copacabana Beach as comes in getting ready for a he said. “They’ve not impacted IOC President Thomas Bach critical test event. the quality of the golf course. was wrapping up 2 1/2 days of They’ve not impacted the design. meeting. They held signs that TEST EVENT They’ve allowed us to build what read: “Thomas Bach is a nature Rio organizers last week we wanted to build.” killer” and “The city is not for published a schedule of test sale.” events showing a golf event LATEST SUIT Paes gave reporters access to for Nov. 26-29. However, in an Prosecutor Alberto Flores parts of the course on Wednes- email to The Associated Press, Camargo is weighing civil day.

International Golf Federation vice charges of “misconduct causing Here’s how things stand with president Ty Votaw said the date damage to the public treasury” the course with the Olympics “is simply a placeholder for the for concessions Mayor Paes opening in less than 500 days date a golf test event might take allegedly granted the course on Aug. 5, 2016: place.” He said it all depends on developer. Plaintiffs say Rio’s city when the course is ready, “which government gerrymandered the COURSE PROGRESS is too early to confirm at this boundaries of the nature reserve The next few months are time.”

— changing zoning laws — to critical. Construction work has It’s unclear if it will be a tour allow the course to be built. Corstopped, grass is down and this event, or something less. Plans ruption charges could resonate is what’s known as the “grow-in call for the course to be public, in Brazil. Federal prosecutors are phase.” Southern Brazil is though the public is unlikely to investigating the largest graft going through one of its worst get an early chance to play a case in Brazil’s history involving droughts in 80 years, bad news round. at least $800 million in a kickback for growing grass. Rio is coming scheme at state-run oil company out of its summer season, mean- PROBLEMS GALORE Petrobras. ing grass will grow more slowly Hanse talked about the

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Calendar 42nd Annual Women’s Match Play Championship July 9-13 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. CDT. Lakeview Golf Course 38th Annual Women’s Senior Championship July 11-12 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. CDT. Moccasin Creek Country Club 2015 Women’s MidAmateur Championship July 11-12 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. CDT.

Moccasin Creek Country Club 9th Annual Adult-Junior Championship July 26 Deadline to enter is Monday, July 20 at 6 p.m. CDT. Hart Ranch Golf Course 37th Annual Junior Championship July 27-28 Hart Ranch Golf Course 29th Annual Two-Woman Championship August 1-2 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 22 at 6 p.m. CDT. Brandon Golf Course 45th Annual Men’s Amateur Championship August 7-9

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 29 at 6 p.m. CDT. Broadland Creek Golf Course 53rd Annual Women’s Amateur Championship August 7-9 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 29 at 6 p.m. CDT. Broadland Creek Golf Course 47th Annual Senior Championship August 22-23 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. CDT. Golf Club at Red Rock 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying Sept. 6 This is an 18-hole qualifying event open to amateur players

with a handicap index of 3.4 or better. All entrants must be at least 25 years of age on or before Oct. 3. Deadline to enter is Wednesday, Aug. 19 by 4 p.m. CDT. Minnehaha Country Club 10th Annual Mid-Amateur Two-Man Championship Sept. 12-13 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 2 at 6 p.m. CDT. Central Valley Golf Club Willow Run Golf Course 12th Annual Senior TwoMan Championship Sept. 12-13 Deadline to enter is Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. CDT. Willow Run Golf Course Central Valley Golf Club

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24 | Sunday, April 26, 2015 RAPID CITY JOURNAL SPECIAL SECTION GOLF GUIDE

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