Minnesota Golf Courses:Dacotah Ridge

Copyright 2006 Dana Buttenhoff

Minnesota golf courses come in many varieties, from 9-hole mom and pop operations to 54-hole resort complexes. We have been discussing golf vacation destinations in Minnesota during this series of articles. Today we will highlight Dacotah Ridge in Morton, Minnesota.

Dacotah Ridge is located approximately 110 miles southwest of the Twin Cities. From other regional centers it would be approximately 235 miles from La Crosse, Wisconsin, 310 miles from Des Moines, Iowa or 144 miles from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dacotah Ridge is an enterprise of The Lower Sioux Indian Community.

Native American run casinos have been in operation in the United States for the better part of twenty years and over the past ten years some of these facilities have been adding golf to the variety of entertainment being offered to the patrons. Being astute business people, the leadership of The Lower Sioux Indian Community recognized an opportunity when it was presented. In July 2000 the Rees Jones designed course opened for play. A Grand Opening celebration followed in August 2000 with the likes of Notah Begay III, Michelle Redman, and Lanny Wadkins along with Rees Jones officially opening this course to the golfing public.

Dacotah Ridge is situated on 240 acres of rolling prairie. Wabasha Creek runs through eight of the holes on the course and five holes wrap around a 14-acre lake. If the water hazards are not enough of a challenge for you there are 42 bunkers scattered around the course. Don