Who would’ve thought South Dakota would become known for much more than Mount Rushmore?
But like Nebraska with award winners Lost Rail Golf Club and Landman Golf Club, America’s 40th state is developing a strong golf portfolio aligned with golfers wanting to pioneer more than the typical golf destinations.
Furthermore, golfers are moving to far-flung locales like South Dakota where the cost of living is less, and the tranquility is more.
From what we can tell, Mapleton Golf Club, the new private, golf-only escape in Mapleton Township, South Dakota, five miles north of downtown Sioux Falls, will unquestionably raise the bar.
Scheduled to open in mid-2025, the exclusive club will feature an 18-hole championship golf course traversing natural prairies with the look and feel of famous classics Shinnecock and National Golf Links on Long Island, New York.
Renowned golf course architect Scott Hoffman promises wide bent-grass fairways, sloped landing areas, greens with subtle movements and short-grass surrounds for creative recoveries, and bunkers with natural fescue edges. Extremely short distances from greens to tees will make Mapleton hands-down “one of the easiest walks in all golf.”
“We want to test the best players, but just as important, make Mapleton extremely playable and enjoyable for less accomplished golfers,” says Hoffman whose work includes acclaimed Gozzer Ranch, Lost Rail, Monterey Dunes and Scottsdale National. “No two holes will be remotely the same and shot values will differ from day to day.”
Across the property’s 210 acres, a landmark, 50-foot, dome-less silo, Slip Up Creek, high ridges, low meadows, mature trees, natural streams and long-range rural views mark golfers’ journeys. Cottonwoods towering above the rolling prairielands and frequent wildlife sightings provide additional character and tranquility.
Golf industry pundits who previewed Mapleton’s layout consider it a prime candidate for media-bestowed “America’s Best New Golf Club” honors and status as a premier destination golf club.
In addition to a driving range and practice facility is a roughly 13,000-square-foot clubhouse with a full-service dining room, bar and lounge, boardroom, locker rooms, and pro shop. Overnight accommodations are also in ownership’s development plans. True to its golf focus, Mapleton doesn’t plan to offer tennis, swimming, banquet facilities for large parties and other amenities often found at other clubs.
Landscapes Unlimited’s Project Development Group is overseeing all aspects of site planning, design and engineering, permitting, contractor selection, project administration and budget planning, and will undertake golf course construction. Sister company Landscapes Golf Management is directing membership strategies, business and operational planning, pre-opening activities, course grow-in and full-service operations upon Mapleton’s opening.
“Mapleton is the first new private golf club in Sioux Falls in more than 60 years,” says Danny Amundson, Managing Partner of the club’s ownership group, a Sioux Falls area native, lifelong golfer and son of a South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame inductee. “It’s the perfect opportunity for members to host guests for an all-inclusive golf, business meeting with dining and overnight accommodations.”
This is the second collaboration between the Amundson family and Landscapes Unlimited. Danny Amundson’s dad, Mark, along with Landscapes Unlimited Chairman Bill Kubly, developed Sutton Bay in Agar, South Dakota. It is perennially ranked among the top 50 private clubs in the U.S.“Mapleton takes advantage of the beautiful Heartland topography on which it sits,” says Jack Morgan, Senior Vice President of Landscapes Unlimited’s Project Development Group. “The golf course will not be contrived, feel like it’s been there for generations yet boast all the modern trappings today’s golfers desire.”
Mapleton Township’s history dates to 1866 when Norwegian settlers discovered ideal farming conditions. Years following, the Milwaukee Railroad stopped at Renner Station, bolstering residency and commerce. Today, Mapleton Township’s is home to almost 2,000 people and a comfortable community to work, live and play.
Catering to the purest golf enthusiast looking to break the daily routine, single, corporate and national memberships are selling briskly.
More information: www.mapletongolfclub.com, [email protected].