Sutton Bay course profile is posted...

[Ran Morrissett]

...under Architecture Timeline and Courses by Country.

As a long time fan of Graham Marsh after having played his courses in Australia, I was particularly keen to get to Sutton Bay. Rarely are high hopes exceeded but such was the case here. The course is replete with so many traditional design features that I really like that, when layered across such an incomparable setting, it is impossible not to fall under Sutton Bay's spell as a magical place for a game.

There is much to learn and appreciate here. The detail in regards to the formation of Sutton Bay, the challenges of construction, etc.  will be addressed in an upcoming Feature Interview with Mark Amundson (one of the super nice guys that golf has a way of attracting), so stay tuned.

In the meanwhile, several people have already asked if I doctored the photographs in the course profile. When you see them, you might understand perhaps why the suggestion would be made. However, people who know how technologically inept I am would laugh and the answer is “no.” The place is simply that beautiful.

In fact, its beauty is all that 95% plus may care about. However, the classic design elements really deserve praise and recognition in their own right and hopefully the course profile makes that point.

I suppose people will be tempted to compare Sutton Bay to Sand Hills but you couldn't have two more different settings or more different soil types. The characteristic that both have the most in common is how kind and considerate the people who work there are, a gene seemingly quite strong in people born in the mid-west!

E.C. Chilton's review of Brideshead Revisited in small part went 'It is a world in itself, and the reader lives in it and is loth to leave it when the last page is turned.' The golfer will appreciate that sentiment when it is his time to leave Sutton Bay.

Cheers,

[Jim Franklin]

The next question is what is the easiest (I am sure there is no easy way but) way to get there? Where is the nearest big city to fly to?

[Mike_Cirba]

Jim,

I'm not sure this is the best way to do it, but I flew into Sioux Falls and then drove four hours each way.  

It's an hour north of Pierre, which I assume has some type of air access.

It's worth the trip if you're in the region.  

[Jim Franklin]

Thanks Mike. I will be in Minnesota this summer so maybe I can try a side trip. It certainly looks impressive.

[Mike_Cirba]

Jim,

If you don't mind, let me know when you might be out there.  I'm likely going to be in Sioux Falls for portions of this summer (work related) and would enjoy getting together.

[Gene Greco]

   Ran's course profiles exude an infectious enthusiasm which continually compel us to trek to far off lands to experience golfing nirvana.

I'm sure the Sutton Bay profile will no doubt spark more than a few readers to plan a visit to see Lake Oahe firsthand.

[Dan Kelly]

It's worth the trip if you're in the region.  

It's worth the trip wherever you are.

As I've told Mark Amundson: It's a trip I hope to make every fall as long as I am welcome.

[Jim Franklin]

When does their golf season end?

Mike, it would be close to August 17-20 when I would potentially be there.

[Dan Kelly]

When does their golf season end?

Well into October.

-------------

I just read Ran's review -- and want to say that these are the truest words ever written (about the tee shot on the magnificent 16th):

"Watching a well hit tee ball bore the wind and drop from the sky against the background above
 is something the golfer will long remember. The challenges of one's regular
course at home might begin to seem a little pedestrian in comparison."

[Evan Fleisher]

Ran,

Fantastic pictures and a great write up!

Sutton Bay looks to be a very special place indeed.  I now regret more than ever I was unable to attend the group gathering there last year.  Hopefully there will be other chances, as the course appears to be a "don't miss" type of place.

How does the property and lay of the holes route in terms of wind directions?  Do you get the chance to be "tested" in that respect with varying angles taking advantage of or being burdened by the prevailing winds?

[Tom Huckaby]

Wow.
Wow.
Of course we've seen descriptions and pictures of SB before, but somehow Ran's profile really makes me want to get on a plane more than ever.  The man does have a way about these things...

So, horrible question I know, unfair to both places... but... it is my personal reality so selfishly I shall ask:

Say you have a chance to go to one, and only one, between Sutton Bay and Ballyneal.  For which do you cash in the marital chips?

TH

[Jason Topp]

Thanks Mike. I will be in Minnesota this summer so maybe I can try a side trip. It certainly looks impressive.

Jim - there are 1 or 2 non-stops to Pierre from Minneapolis on Northwest.  It is a very convienient trip - a 2 hour flight and 45 minute drive.

[Jason Topp]

Having only played the course in a North wind it is interesting to see the differing perspective with the prevailing wind.  The course works well the other way as well.  There is a lot of interesting shots trying to fit downwind drives into the back nine holes.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Rapid City, SD (airport) is about a 3-hour drive (I'm guessing) and has some major airlines (and also may be ~3-4 hours from Dismal River and their lesser-known neighbors).

Ron Farris' Red Rock is supposed to be a good course in Rapid City (has been a few threads in the past):

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=2172;start=msg143682#msg143682

Also, Phelps/Atkinson's GC at Devil's Tower is supposed to open (new 9)/re-open (original 9) and looked promising:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=22690

[Tom Huckaby]

Jason - re how to get there, well... short hops from Minneapolis don't help those of us coming from CA.  

To get to Sand Hills, one takes a 2 hr non-stop to Denver, then drives 5 hours or whatever.  Generally one would not try to get there in one day, but rather go to N. Platte, stay overnight, head to SH the next morning.  Still it could be done.

Is there a city one could get a non-stop flight to that would allow for a decent drive, so one could get there in one day?

I've done some brief searching and all I can get are connections to either Pierre or Omaha or Linclon... what big city would make this doable?   Seems like a flight to Denver and then a VERY long drive might be the best way to do this...

TH

ps - Scott, we crossed - same question for you - is there a decent way to get to SB from the west coast?

[Scott_Burroughs]

Huck,

I thought I had made a suggestion in my post above (Rapid City is west of SB), but there are no 'major' airports anywhere close.  Did you catch the part about it being not terribly far from Dismal River and the neighbors?  Heck, Prairie Club, too, if it ever gets the green light.

[Tom Huckaby]

Huck,

I thought I had made a suggestion in my post above (Rapid City is west of SB), but there are no 'major' airports anywhere close.

Gotcha.  Of course there's no easy way to get to either Pierre or Rapid City... and the flights are very expensive... so I'm getting that there really is no easy way to do this.  Heck, it is South freakin' Dakota, not sure what I was expecting.  

BTW, any thoughts on the difficult choice between SB and Ballyneal?  The latter is a simple flight to Denver and a 2 hour drive or so....

Late edit - gotcha also re this being near Dismal, etc.  So it would seem a doable multi-stop trip to make, for those with time... a commodity I shall not have.  I see myself being allowed a long weekend at most.  Thus my queries...

TH

[Scott_Burroughs]

Rapid City may not have super-cheap flights, but I have found plentiful frequent flier flights available on United (connects through Denver from the west, I believe).

To choose between SB and Ballyneal.....oh, to be one of the first to see and talk about Ballyneal....I know you want to.... .

Frankly, I want to see Dismal River just as much as SB and Ballyneal, it looked that good.....that might make my decision (if I had one).

If you can wait until fall, Colorado GC near Denver supposely opens....Rochelle Ranch is 3 hours to the north also....

[Jason Topp]

Jason - re how to get there, well... short hops from Minneapolis don't help those of us coming from CA.  

To get to Sand Hills, one takes a 2 hr non-stop to Denver, then drives 5 hours or whatever.  Generally one would not try to get there in one day, but rather go to N. Platte, stay overnight, head to SH the next morning.  Still it could be done.

Is there a city one could get a non-stop flight to that would allow for a decent drive, so one could get there in one day?

I've done some brief searching and all I can get are connections to either Pierre or Omaha or Linclon... what big city would make this doable?   Seems like a flight to Denver and then a VERY long drive might be the best way to do this...

TH

ps - Scott, we crossed - same question for you - is there a decent way to get to SB from the west coast?

Tom -  

I have done the connection through Denver to get to North Platte, which was pretty cheap last September.  I think there is a Denver connection to Pierre because we had Denver people fly out there last time I was there for work.

You also could connect through Minneapolis, because, at least for the last year, the last flight to Pierre is very late - gets in around 11:30 or so.  I found an internet special last May that was a lot cheaper for a flight and hotel than it was for just the flight.  We stayed in the hotel after the late flight in and then got a ride to Sutton Bay - abandoning the hotel for the rest of the trip.  With the long summer days, you can sleep in until 9, and get out there to easily play 36 or probably 54 if you want.


I think Scott lists the right options for nonstop all of which would involve a pretty long drive - although traffic is not an issue.

[Tom Huckaby]

Scott:

This has nothing to do with being first... and please, that ship has sailed anyway - or don't you read any of Adam Clayman's posts?  John Kirk's?

 

I just do have a chance to go to Ballyneal in a few months.  I can either push for that, or wait a little longer and go to Sutton Bay.  And while hell yes I'd like to see Dismal... well... if I'm that close to Sand Hills I can't see NOT going there.  And once I'm within those gates there's no way I leave.

In any case, this necessarily will have to be a one-course only trip, due to time constraints and other factors.

So is it worth the wait and the extra hassle to go to SB, or should I just be content with Ballyneal?

TH

[RJ_Daley]

Tom, sorry - but I'm going to admonish you here.  Why ask for a choice between Sutton Bay and BallyNeal? They are completely different courses and experiences.  Why does golf have to come down to a dramatic "Sophie's Choice" between which child to save.  All this marital capital stuff sounds like you are going to only get one more golf trip allowed in your life, and that your life will be too short to fit in another.  That may be true in the big cosmic sweepstakes, but in your case, we all know you well enough that you will make it back again and again to Sand Hills and all points on the golfing charts, anytime you get a chance, and will somehow find your marital capital re-invested to be used yet another day.  Just work the magic you are perhaps best at and get invited to stop at BallyNeal when you get your next invite to SH.  As for Sutton Bay, go a seperate time (as no one believes you can only go to one place) fly to Denver change planes to Pierre, rent a car and drive 45 minutes to Sutton.  

When you get there, you will meet one of the great gentlemen of golf, Mark Ammundson who will take care of you like no other golf retreat you have been to in your long and illustrious career as America's guest.

[Tom Huckaby]

Jason - thanks.  Seems like going through Denver to Rapid City or Pierre would be the best way to do it, and it's not that bad cost or time-wise.

Dick:

I'm talking THIS YEAR.  Hell yes I put no limits on myself and believe anything's possible in the long run.  But it is a Sophie's Choice, and it has to be asked.  Ballyneal or SB, this year, only one doable?

That is, which gets the priority?

One final thing:  if I ever get asked back to Sand Hills, well... it's tough for me to take time AWAY from that for anything.  I would always do so for Wild Horse, but that works very well logistically.  I kinda have the same feeling re Ballyneal although of course I've never been there... In a world of limited time available, I'd just not want to short-shrift either place.  So of course one COULD hit Ballyneal "on the way" to Sand Hills, but that's just not how I'd want to do it.

And if I am gonna invest the marital capital - which is going up in price, btw, due to an addition coming in August - I am going to do it how I want to.  

TH

[Ron Farris]

Gentlmen, South Dakota is what it is - remote -and expensive to get to.  I live in Rapid City and Pierre is 2.5 hours away, less if you do 80 o more mph in some of the places where you can see for miles.  (careful as Pierre is where the state patrol go to train) Sutton Bay is more than likely 3 hours from Rapid.  I plan to play SB later this summer.  Having been there numerous times during construction I would encourage you to go see and experience the place.  It is not the Sand Hills and you will realize that the moment you walk in the door.  Heavy clay soils at SB are also contrasting to Sand Hills. These places are like beautiful women.  They can be hard to deal with and are sometimes inaccessable or hard to get to.  Cheryl Ladd and Daisy Duke K. Bach are from South Dakota but even they do not have the beauty of Sutton Bay at sundown.

If anyone comes thru Rapid City, I would entertain showing them Red Rock.  

[Tom Huckaby]

Ron - that is sage counsel and much appreciated.  I guess one just gets used to having things quick and easy in a modern world where that is possible so frequently... Of course one of the joys of Sand Hills is it being the end of a long journey - that is, the journey itself is part of the reward - and I truly ought to look at Sutton Bay that way as well.

It just looks SO great and I have such a small window of opportunity, well...

 

[Jason Hines]

Ran, perfect write up and photos, especially the fall away greens.  I have so many memories of the golf and experiences, I had completely forgotten how much fun they were. I am looking forward to your interview with Mark A as well.  As everyone has stated, he is a true gentleman and an interesting person to visit with.

I also remember the snow on the last weekend in April, bring your mittens.  It is exactly 6 hours from Omaha with a pit stop in S. Falls, but if you have to switch planes you might as well fly into SD.  Changing in Denver to fly into PIR is nothing.

J.