The Falls at Grand Falls & Casino Golf Resort

'Prairie Golf Course' Newest Feature Planned For Grand Falls

Courtesy of Nick Lowrey
Argus Leader

Grand Falls Casino Resort near Larchwood, Iowa. / Jay Pickthorn / Argus Leader

Sioux Falls golfers could be playing their first rounds on one of the area's newest courses by late summer of next year if all goes according to plan.

The Grand Falls Casino Resort is in the process of building its newest feature - an 18-hole golf course designed by world renowned course designer Rees Jones. The course will be located directly adjacent to the resort building, and has been designed to take integrate the natural landscape, something Jones tries to do with every course he designs or redesigns.

"It's going to be firm and fast, which is appropriate for the environment," Jones said of the course.

Construction began last year before being interrupted by weather and with this spring's rough weather, only recently restarted. Grand Falls Casino Resort General Manager Sharon Haselhoff said construction will likely be completed by the end of this summer, which will allow seeding in the fall, spring and early summer of 2014 for the grass to grow before the course opens for play.

One of the reasons Grand Falls chose Jones to design the course was his reputation for keeping all skill levels in mind when designing a golf course, Haselhoff said. The course, which will be open to the public, will include tees for every skill level and each hole, according to Jones, will be designed with many options for each shot.

"It's going to feel like a new game of golf every time you play," Hasselhoff said.

Not surprisingly the most recognizable and challenging aspect of designing the course has been the wind. Jones said every hole had to be designed with the wind in mind.

"It's going to be a prairie golf course," Jones said. "It's going to change every day."