| Minnesota golf courses come in many varieties, | | | | seeded in bent grass. The primary rough is thick |
| from 9-hole mom and pop operations to 54-hole | | | | Bluegrass and Fescue. The secondary rough is |
| resort complexes. We have been discussing golf | | | | where the really tall Native Prairie grasses lie. The |
| vacation destinations in Minnesota during this series | | | | greens are multi-tiered with sloping and undulation |
| of articles. Today we will highlight Dacotah Ridge in | | | | playing an important role in strategy. Make sure |
| Morton, Minnesota. | | | | you are selecting the proper club to get the ball |
| Dacotah Ridge is located approximately 110 miles | | | | to the pin as well as to hold the green. |
| southwest of the Twin Cities. From other regional | | | | Dacotah Ridge offers four sets of tee markers. |
| centers it would be approximately 235 miles from | | | | The Tournament tees play at 7,109 with a course |
| La Crosse, Wisconsin, 310 miles from Des Moines, | | | | rating of 75.1 and a slope index of 144. The |
| Iowa or 144 miles from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. | | | | Regular tees play at 6,217 yards with a course |
| Dacotah Ridge is an enterprise of The Lower | | | | rating of 71.1 and a slope index of 131.There is |
| Sioux Indian Community. | | | | plenty of variety and challenge for golfers of all |
| Native American run casinos have been in | | | | abilities in your group. There is a nice virtual tour |
| operation in the United States for the better part | | | | of the golf course with hole by hole descriptions |
| of twenty years and over the past ten years | | | | on their website, which is |
| some of these facilities have been adding golf to | | | | There is a dress code at Dacotah Ridge and |
| the variety of entertainment being offered to the | | | | appropriate golf attire is required. Non-metal spikes |
| patrons. Being astute business people, the | | | | are also required at Dacotah Ridge. |
| leadership of The Lower Sioux Indian Community | | | | The green fees to play at Dacotah Ridge during |
| recognized an opportunity when it was presented. | | | | the summer season are $64.00 and cart fee is |
| In July 2000 the Rees Jones designed course | | | | $16.00. Walking is allowed at Dacotah Ridge. There |
| opened for play. A Grand Opening celebration | | | | is also play and stay package rates offered |
| followed in August 2000 with the likes of Notah | | | | through the hotel at the casino that is 4 miles |
| Begay III, Michelle Redman, and Lanny Wadkins | | | | away from the golf course. There are also |
| along with Rees Jones officially opening this course | | | | reduced rates to golf in the spring and fall season. |
| to the golfing public. | | | | There is a complete restaurant and bar facility |
| Dacotah Ridge is situated on 240 acres of rolling | | | | along with a completely stocked Pro Shop for you |
| prairie. Wabasha Creek runs through eight of the | | | | to enjoy at Dacotah Ridge. |
| holes on the course and five holes wrap around a | | | | The Lower Sioux Indian Community has done a |
| 14-acre lake. If the water hazards are not enough | | | | great job of putting together a complete |
| of a challenge for you there are 42 bunkers | | | | entertainment experience featuring the Jackpot |
| scattered around the course. Don't be lulled into a | | | | Junction Casino with it's gaming, live on-stage |
| false sense of security because the fairways are | | | | entertainment with many national acts, hotel |
| not lined with 70-foot elm or pine trees, Rees | | | | accommodations as well as numerous restaurant |
| Jones used what nature provided on this course. | | | | choices. Add to this the golf at Dacotah Ridge or |
| The elevation changes as well as the use of | | | | any of the neighboring communities of Redwood |
| Fescues, Blue Stem and Native Prairie grasses, | | | | Falls, Renville, Springfield, Fairfax or Buffalo Lake all |
| some of which is knee high, in the rough along | | | | within 30 miles and the combination of activities |
| with the wind sweeping across the prairie bring | | | | for your Minnesota rural golf vacation are endless. |
| trouble on poorly struck shots. For the golfer that | | | | Call Dacotah Ridge for tee times at |
| plays down the middle there are plenty of | | | | 1-507-644-5050 or the reservation desk at |
| rewards. The tee boxes, fairways and greens are | | | | 1-800-946-2274 extention: 4700. |