Golf Course taking shape

Elkhorn Ridge scheduled to open next summer

By Joshua R. Russo, Journal staff | Friday, November 14, 2008

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SPEARFISH — Area golfers have plenty to look forward to this next year.

A new nine-hole golf course is under construction near Spearfish, and it is slated to open late next summer.

 “It will serve public golfers in the Spearfish area and all of the northern Hills,” said J.R. Hamblet, the golf pro at Elkhorn Ridge Golf Course located east of Spearfish off Exit 17 on Interstate 90. “We’d like it to be the best-kept golf course in 110 miles.”

The course is being built by Duininck Brothers Construction of Minnesota, which also owns and operates Hart Ranch Golf Course in Rapid City. The course is owned by Daryll Propp, of Denver, and the city of Spearfish. The course is being designed by Pat Wyss, of Rapid City.

Hamblet said the idea for the golf course came eight years ago but the project did not come into fruition until the past four years. While there is no exact date targeted for the opening of the course, Hamblet said the course is planning on opening the driving range in June and the course in late July.

The course itself is on one of only two historical sites in South Dakota — the Frawley Ranch. Henry Frawley originally settled on the ranch in 1876 amid an Indian uprising and the height of the South Dakota gold rush. Frawley’s ranches are among the few historic ranches where original buildings, furnishings, tools and memorabilia dating to the late 19th century have been preserved virtually intact.

The golf course, which is on the ranch’s 10 square miles, will be special as well, according to Hamblet.

The nine-hole course has an elevation change of about 285 feet throughout and it will have plenty of unique features. The most prominent of which will be the practice facilities. There will be a double-ended driving range and there are two practice greens with fairway and greenside bunkers.

The course itself has many elements, and it caters to different types of golfers. It is open and flat at points for links-style golfers. It also involves parts of two canyons for mountain-style golfing. Some areas of the course are similar to the back-nine holes at Hart Ranch, but on a larger scale with deeper canyons and higher tees.

“It is in and out of canyons without the severity,” Hamblet said.

One of the features unique to the course will be modern, cool-weather grasses. Andy Nelson, the superintendent of the course, said that a low-mow Kentucky Bluegrass will be used on the fairways. Nelson said the grass can be cut shorter than most varieties, and it provides a much superior playing surface to the ones on courses 20 to 30 years old.

Nelson has spent much time getting the grass on the course to his specifications. While it only takes 14 days for the grass seeds to germinate, he said it will take him at least two months to get the fairways and greens in the shape he wants them to be in.

The course also pays some tribute to the area’s wildlife and nature. Several of the bunkers on the course are shaped like elk hoof prints, and cart paths weave through the trees on the way through canyons.

While waiting to open the course, Nelson and Hamblet have plenty to keep themselves busy. Nelson must hire staff for the course and secure equipment and supplies for maintenance of the course.

Hamblet will handle the pro shop — which he says could have a “soft” opening day later this month, depending on several factors.

Hamblet, who was the club pro at Meadowbrook Golf Course in Rapid City for eight years, hopes the greatest draw to the shop will be the custom-fit irons. Also featured at the shop will be a wide assortment of merchandise of primarily the Titleist, Cobra and Ping golf brands.

Hamblet said he has heard many positive comments about the new course from people in the area. Most have been anxious to see the course.

“Most folks are excited to have a place to practice,” Hamblet said. While there are many ranges at area courses, Elkhorn Ridge will offer a practice range which will have greater access for people using woods and some distance irons.