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