The photo was taken April 18th, 2018, at Prairie Green Golf Course in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A cold winter followed by below average temperatures this spring has had area golfers chomping at the bit to get outside and golf. Golf course managers are even more anxious to get the courses open. Tony Laurvick, Course Manager at The Bridges at Beresford Golf Course says "Every spring in South Dakota is different. We have seen extremes in temperature, precipitation, and winds over the years, but this spring has been one of the most unpredictable and difficult years since we opened in 2006."
It hasn’t just been the cold temperatures hampering the start of the season. After the April 18th snow, Sioux Falls is now 5th all time for seasonal snowfall with a measurement of a little over 70 inches. What is even more amazing is that over 31 inches came in the month of April alone.
The photo was taken April 18th, 2018, at Prairie Green Golf Course in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
“It has been incredible!” says Jason Arlt of Sioux Falls Golf who manages Prairie Green, Elmwood and Kuehn Park in Sioux Falls. “But our staff has been amazing and we will be ready when mother nature is. Our courses are in great shape and have weathered the winter extremely well.”
Despite the late start, courses are optimistic for this coming season. Samantha Vogler-Rinder, Course Manager at Par Mar Valley Golf Course near Parker South Dakota said “It is even harder for smaller courses. However, we have a full kitchen, a new food menu and some additional events that I'm hoping can make up the difference". And to top it all off, they have a new deck that was completed in 2017 with all volunteer help and materials.
A Call to Action
What can make up the difference is golfers and guests. That’s right, you don’t have to be a golfer to go to a course and have a few drinks and dinner with your friends. There isn’t a more scenic and relaxing place to have lunch than at a clubhouse. The staff are welcoming and would appreciate your business. In addition to green fees, golfer’s can take the next step by supporting the course by purchasing merchandise. Golf balls, tees, clothing and hat purchases can go a long way and you will look good wearing a hat from a course that you frequently golf at.
Are you currently a member of a local course? Excellent! If not, consider becoming a member or upgrading your current status to enjoy what your course offers. For our casual golfers, guest green fees also make a huge impact. Grab a Sioux Links Golfer’s Guide and plot out a course or two on a Saturday and make a day trip to a new track you haven’t been to. Our map makes it easy to plan a golf outing and all of our courses are listed on SiouxLinks.com/courses as well.
The photo was taken April 17th, 2018, at The Falls-Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort, Larchwood, Iowa.
If you enjoy the challenge of competition, enter a tournament! Grab your foursome and pick a format that interests you and signup for one of the more than 300 open tournaments that we have listed online. There are many opportunities to compete every weekend.
Let's get out there and do what we can and grow golf in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.
The power is in our hands.
We encourage you to patronize any and all of the 120 golf courses in Sioux Links area.
Derek Soukup
Sioux Links Editor