Couples Connection

Golf Adventures in the Sioux Empire

A couple’s guide to the best local links

By Chellee Unruh

When the Masters’ Golf Championship is held it heralds the unofficial start to the Midwest golf season beginning mid-March and extending through the end of October. Some spouses dread the golf season because they become a “golf widow." A golf widow is someone who is left alone for 2-5 hours multiple times during the week or weekend while their partner is out on the golf course alone or with friends.

The golf season can be a source of contention, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead of spending all that time alone, you could instead be spending it with your partner/spouse learning to play golf. Golfing with your partner/spouse can be a fun and relaxing way to bring you closer together rather than “driving” you apart.

Some people may have reservations about inviting their spouse into their golf time fearing they will lose out on their time alone or time spent with friends. However, the benefits of golfing with your spouse far out weight the often-exaggerated cons. For example, it is a notable way to spend uninterrupted time together. It’s likely you will end up playing more golf than you did before your spouse started joining you. Not to mention it is a great way to stay healthy and in shape.

An ideal place to test to see if golfing together is a good fit, is Great Shots, a place where you can eat, drink and play golf regardless of your age or skill level. With three levels and 60 climate-controlled bays, you can hit balls into their driving range to practice your skills or play a variety of easy, fun games. Ball tracking technology lets you see where your shots land, and you can hit a new ball with the wave of a club. Great Shots also offers a full restaurant and bar making it a perfect place for a date night. With the variety of games they offer, it takes the intimidation factor out of golf allowing you and your spouse to have an enjoyable time. It is also a

good alternative if you want to golf and “get a round in” but don’t have enough time to spend a full 2 hours like you would playing nine holes at a typical golf course. Golf bays are reserved on a first come first serve basis. If you decide that golfing is a sport you enjoy and you want to become more serious about it, you can also look into the golf lessons offered by Sanford Power, located within Great Shots.

After playing a few rounds at Great Shots and confirming that golf is a sport you want to enjoy together, you need to know the local golf course options to play. Sioux Falls and the surrounding area is rich with 21 beautiful golf courses that range from 9–18 holes and can accommodate players from beginning skillsets to the more advanced player.

Within Sioux Falls and on the fringe of the city limits are 7 golf courses open to the public:

• Prairie Green • Willow Run • Elmwood • Spring Creek • Kuehn Park • Northern Links • Bakker Crossing

Looking for a short road trip? Just a short drive from Sioux Falls a multitude of independent and GreatLIFE sponsored courses await you and your partner:

• Central Valley, Hartford • Rocky Run, Dell Rapids • River Ridge, Garretson • Worthington Golf Course, Worthington, MN • Lenkota Country Club, Lennox • Fox Run, Yankton • Hidden Valley, Brandon • Brandon Country Club, Brandon • Grand Falls Casino Golf Course, Larchwood, IA • Meadow Acres Golf Club, Larchwood, IA • The Bridges, Beresford • Par Mar, Parker • McCook Country Club, Salem • Parkston Country Club, Parkston • Sunrise Golf Course, Colman • Wild Oak, Mitchell • Bluffs Golf Course, Vermillion • Madison Golf and Country Club, Madison • Cattail Crossing Golf Course, Watertown

No matter where you decide to play it is always best if you book your tee times in advance. With the increasing popularity of golf in the Midwest, many courses get booked up as it gets closer to the weekend, especially those around Sioux Falls.

With this road map of golf courses to play laid out before you, there is no better time than the present to rescue your partner from being a widow of the golf season and start to enjoy some fun in the sun together. n

FUN AT THE COUNTRY APPLE ORCHARD

Greg and Katie Jones have been in the event venue business since 2016 when they built and opened The Meadow Barn at Country Orchards. In 2019, they built The Veranda, a second venue also located at the Country Apple Orchard in Harrisburg. Last year, they had the opportunity to purchase the Country Apple Orchard where they have been focusing on giving the orchard and the Fall Festival new life. “We’re working on rejuvenating and preserving the orchard. We’ve added free range chickens, goats, pigs, and other livestock for more sustainable, healthier gases and soils and improve insect control,” Greg said. Many of the tress in the orchard are over 30 years old. Newer varieties of apple trees that were not previously available, including over 200 Honey Crisp and Zestar trees, have been planted. Greg and Katie are also adding new attractions to the Fall Festival at the Country Apple Orchard. Festival goers can look forward to family friendly activities such as two 90ft jumping pillows, sand castle tire mountain, 150ft zip line course, giant hay bale maze, petting zoo, train rides, 160ft corn pit, apple cannon, hay rides and so much more. In addition to the attractions, there are concession stands, a Festival Beer Garden, food trucks and the Country Store, where you can purchase a large selection of local items along with candy. The store has it’s very own candy section. Located on the festival grounds, there are also private tents set up where attendees can host birthday parties, small group get togethers and large corporate events. The tents are free with purchase of admission. They have a catering menu as well to accommodate a meal for your event. Field trips are also

available for youth groups, daycares and churches. The Fall Festival runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting the first weekend in September and ending the last weekend in October. There will be themed weekends that bring some extra-fun entertainment for everyone. “We have made it a really great family event. You could spend an entire day out here and not be bored,” Greg said. Tractor rides through the orchard for apple picking along with pumpkins for purchase are available to those not attending the Fall Festival. There will also be craft vendors and many great fall displays for photo taking located outside the festival area. Greg and Katie are not done adding venues to their location. Beaver Creek Church and Eggers School House, both formerly located on Augustana University’s campus, were moved to the Country Apple Orchard for another wedding venue option. The Eggers School House will be across the pond from the church and act as dressing rooms and a bridal suite. Greg says that wedding ceremonies will be available starting in 2023. To learn more about the Country Apple Orchard and the Fall Festival, follow them on Facebook or at countryappleorchard.com.

ADMISSION INCLUDES:

Slides, Wave Pool, Lazy River, Swim-up Bar, Activity Pools, Caribbean Falls, Go-Karts, Mini Golf, Bumber Boats, Sand Volleyball, Batting Cages 605.361.9313 | Sioux Falls, SD | wildwaterwest.com SOUTH DAKOTA’S ONLY ALL-INCLUSIVE SLIDES & RIDES DESTINATION!