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South Dakota: Golf's Next Big Thing?
27 Aug
Summary
- Two new destination golf courses are set to open in South Dakota.
- These courses are designed by a renowned architecture team.
- South Dakota aims to become a national golf destination.
South Dakota is emerging as a surprising contender in the destination golf scene, with two ambitious projects slated to open in 2028: Sunken Prairie Golf Club and Lazy J Sporting Club. These developments are spearheaded by a notable design team comprising Steve Smyers, Colton Craig, and Tom Coyne, who are leveraging the state's unique landscapes.
Sunken Prairie, located in northeast South Dakota, will feature a links-inspired course set against the backdrop of Reetz Lake, an 800-acre body of water formed by past environmental changes. This club aims for a high-end national membership capped at 300, offering a blend of golf, fishing, and hunting.
Meanwhile, Lazy J Sporting Club, situated in the south-central region, will present a rugged heathland-meets-ranch aesthetic. Despite their contrasting environments, both courses are designed to offer some form of public access, aligning with the broader ambition to position South Dakota as a significant national golf destination.
Founder Riley Reetz, whose family has farmed the land for five generations, views these projects as a "lemons-to-lemonade" story, capitalizing on the surge in destination golf demand. The state aims to emulate Nebraska's successful transformation into a Midwest golf epicenter, attracting golfers with unique courses and appealing tax conditions.
