| Minnesota golf courses come in many | | | | well as the use of Fescues, Blue Stem |
| varieties, from 9-hole mom and pop | | | | and Native Prairie grasses, some of |
| operations to 54-hole resort complexes. | | | | which is knee high, in the rough along |
| We have been discussing golf vacation | | | | with the wind sweeping across the |
| destinations in Minnesota during this | | | | prairie bring trouble on poorly struck |
| series of articles. Today we will | | | | shots. For the golfer that plays down |
| highlight Dacotah Ridge in Morton, | | | | the middle there are plenty of rewards. |
| Minnesota. | | | | The tee boxes, fairways and greens are |
| Dacotah Ridge is located approximately | | | | seeded in bent grass. The primary rough |
| 110 miles southwest of the Twin Cities. | | | | is thick Bluegrass and Fescue. The |
| From other regional centers it would be | | | | secondary rough is where the really tall |
| approximately 235 miles from La Crosse, | | | | Native Prairie grasses lie. The greens |
| Wisconsin, 310 miles from Des Moines, | | | | are multi-tiered with sloping and |
| Iowa or 144 miles from Sioux Falls, | | | | undulation playing an important role in |
| South Dakota. Dacotah Ridge is an | | | | strategy. Make sure you are selecting |
| enterprise of The Lower Sioux Indian | | | | the proper club to get the ball to the |
| Community. | | | | pin as well as to hold the green. |
| Native American run casinos have been in | | | | Dacotah Ridge offers four sets of tee |
| operation in the United States for the | | | | markers. The Tournament tees play at |
| better part of twenty years and over the | | | | 7,109 with a course rating of 75.1 and a |
| past ten years some of these facilities | | | | slope index of 144. The Regular tees |
| have been adding golf to the variety of | | | | play at 6,217 yards with a course rating |
| entertainment being offered to the | | | | of 71.1 and a slope index of 131.There |
| patrons. Being astute business people, | | | | is plenty of variety and challenge for |
| the leadership of The Lower Sioux Indian | | | | golfers of all abilities in your group. |
| Community recognized an opportunity when | | | | There is a nice virtual tour of the golf |
| it was presented. In July 2000 the Rees | | | | course with hole by hole descriptions on |
| Jones designed course opened for play. A | | | | their website, which is |
| Grand Opening celebration followed in | | | | There is a dress code at Dacotah Ridge |
| August 2000 with the likes of Notah | | | | and appropriate golf attire is required. |
| Begay III, Michelle Redman, and Lanny | | | | Non-metal spikes are also required at |
| Wadkins along with Rees Jones officially | | | | Dacotah Ridge. |
| opening this course to the golfing | | | | The green fees to play at Dacotah Ridge |
| public. | | | | during the summer season are $64.00 and |
| Dacotah Ridge is situated on 240 acres | | | | cart fee is $16.00. Walking is allowed |
| of rolling prairie. Wabasha Creek runs | | | | at Dacotah Ridge. There is also play and |
| through eight of the holes on the course | | | | stay package rates offered through the |
| and five holes wrap around a 14-acre | | | | hotel at the casino that is 4 miles away |
| lake. If the water hazards are not | | | | from the golf course. There are also |
| enough of a challenge for you there are | | | | reduced rates to golf in the spring and |
| 42 bunkers scattered around the course. | | | | fall season. |
| Don't be lulled into a false sense of | | | | There is a complete restaurant and bar |
| security because the fairways are not | | | | facility along with a completely stocked |
| lined with 70-foot elm or pine trees, | | | | Pro Shop for you to enjoy at Dacotah |
| Rees Jones used what nature provided on | | | | Ridge. |
| this course. The elevation changes as | | | | |