New course at Sutton Bay

[Rick Shefchik]

Sutton Bay is adding nine new holes this summer, with the intention of doing nine more as soon as those are finished. Sutton Bay will have a new 18-hole course ready to play in 2013; it has been designed by Graham Marsh and is located atop the Mesa that overlooks the original course and lake Oahe. Marsh says on the club website that he is building some double greens and striving for shorter distances between greens and tees to make the course walkable. Views of the lake will still be a core element of the new design, according to Marsh.

A friend who plays the course often told me about this project yesterday, saying that it was the frequent repair work to the original course that necessitated the new holes. The Missouri breaks have created fissures in fairways and greens, an issue that Mark Amundson addresses on the club website:

"The level of constant change on the course, due to the land shifts, has been significant. We have battled irrigation breaks at a level 100 fold of most courses. We have had significant changes in the landforms of some holes and many of the greens, some to an extent that permanent changes in the integrity of the design have taken place. Possibly the most significant issue related to the land shifts is the realization that the constant change in the land is both unpredictable in the rate of change and unstoppable in its movement."

The original course will remain open this year and next year. It seems a bit unclear what will happen to it after that. There's a lot of information on the website and it's interesting reading:

http://www.suttonbay.com/2011Project/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=89

Sutton Bay is a spectacular facility, and I've had great experiences playing there. I hope this project is a success.

 

[PCCraig]

Rick:

I heard about this about a month ago from someone who had just returned from a trip there. It sounded like the strain on the first golf course due to the environmental conditions had become so constant and repetitive that they decided to build a new course and eventually abandon the original course. I hope someone can prove me wrong though.

[Tony Ristola]

That bit about land shifts is quite amazing, and sounds like a little nightmarish. Do you know if they had any idea about it before building? I guess not.
The letter from the owner, and actions taken by the ownership is class.

Aside from landfill projects, and earthquakes, the only property I'd heard of having those kind of shifts was in the Dolomites, where one layer of soil was sliding upon another. A farm house had to be abandoned and the greensite they were building where the old farmhouse was, they tried to remove as much soil from the area to reduce the burden.

[Kris Shreiner]

Paging Melvyn...  

[Gary_K]

Image of a Sutton Bay break can be found in my post in the following thread:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,27158.msg513962.html#msg513962

[RJ_Daley]

Of course the 'Missouri Breaks' refers to the unique breaking of the soil formation profile.  But, it sure also can be said that the bad breaks came to this project.  

I haven't been there in years, but the two successive years I did enjoy a stay there, were highlighted by a very enjoyable golf course and being welcomed by Mark.  The conversations I've had with him, lead me to believe he is a most sincere, honest and earnest in his mission to make Sutton Bay a world class facility.  

My heart sunk on the second visit to see the breaks that had occurred in a period of a mere 14 months or so.  But, the writing was on the wall.  The long term prospect of that course on that land, if the breaks would continue, seemed untenable. I thought it was particularly regrettable, because that whole design and project effort was so well done on its face.  

I don't know if one can be so confident as to imply that the 'breaks' should have been known and expected.  Because no one in their right mind would ignore that fact, if it were known and expected, it seems to me.  Yet, as explained by the geo-engineer, a series of events including the undermining or weakening of the strata or geological layer blocks from the creation of the dammed up huge -  otherwise beautiful lake, was just the catalyst along with the disturbance of the course construction to set things literally in motion.

I am very glad to see that they have more confidence that the new top land site is stable and not going to be subject to this aberration of landslide breaking.  Graham designed a first rate course the first 18, and he has in my opinion done a very fine one at Prairie Club.  I would bet that he will do as well with this new 9 and ultimately 18 holes.  The one rap about the first course was the walkability.  It seems they are going to address that in the new course lay-out.  The entire approach as described by Mark in his letter speaks highly to the sincerity by the developer group to rectify the problem.  I think they have no better ramrod to continue to oversee the operations than Mark and his letter is very much in character with his reputation.  

[RJ_Daley]

Gary, that is indeed one of my photos of the problem back in 2005.  I forget how you got it back on that old thread.  Did I e-mail it to you or post it before on GCA?  There are a few more pics of the problem out there, but I am too lazy to go through all the steps to post them to another host site, then import them here.  Needless to say, it was a shock to see.

[Kalen Braley]

RJ,

If you email them to me, I'd be more than happy to post them up.

<--- Email addy is right there..

[Gary_K]

RJ,

Actually, that photo is one that I took.  I believe we were standing next to each other taking the same pictures.  

Gary K.

[Dan Herrmann]

We stopped up at Sutton Bay before the 5th Major at Dismal River.  Mark and the staff at Sutton Bay treated us like royalty and we had a great time.  The club is a real class act.

Yes, unfortunately, the golf course is being torn apart by Mother Nature.  Lake Oahe (the Missouri River) is currently as high as it's ever been due to rapid snowmelt upriver.  The nearby towns of Pierre and Ft. Pierre have been subject to flooding as the Army Corps of Engineers release as much water as possible from the Lake (the fine citizens of South Dakota are very unhappy with the Corps, but that's a different story).

There's a fear that the course's fissures will grow significantly as the lake level drops.

Marsh has designed a new golf course up on top of the bluff above the current 18th tee.

It's a real shame, because the original course that's still there offered amazing views, a peaceful experience, and fun golf.     There are some temporary greens, and a makeshift #1 and #10.

I'm really pulling for complete success for Sutton Bay, and hope they make it through this challenging time.

[Jason Hines]

Here is a link showing the plateau north of the 18th tee, obviously the terrain is not as dramatic as the original 18.  However, it sounds like Sutton Bay is tired of “dramatic” terrain.  A bit ironic that back in 2005 Lake Oahe, “some” were acting like the reservoir system may never be full again.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Sutton+Bay,+Agar,+South+Dakota&hl=en&ll=44.894993,-100.365214&spn=0.006673,0.021136&sll=38.925294,-94.865658&sspn=0.007746,0.021136&t=h&z=16

Dick, I remember the same trip that last weekend in April of 2005, I also remember the blowing snow as well!  The more my novice eye looks at this terrain, the more options I see to vary the direction of the routing.

No doubt that the next course, mixed with the rest of the amenities and experience at Sutton Bay will be a success.

[Tyler Kearns]

I can only echo the sentiments already expressed regarding the hospitality of Mark and the high quality of the existing facilities. The current golf course is very strong, and it will be a real loss if it is ever abandoned. The only drawbacks were walkability and the abundance of rock in the native areas, two issues that do not seem to be in play for the new course. It is a shame that the original course has had to deal with these issues so early in its life, but the possibilities of the new course are exciting and I wish all involved the very best. 

TK

[Tony Ristola]

The geologists report is both interesting and sad. It must have been gut wrenching when the shifting began and then continued. I wish them well.

[Dan Herrmann]

Tony - very well said.  We all wish them nothing but success.

[Kalen Braley]

Here are additional pics of the problems they've been having...

[Chris Johnston]

WOW, that is very tough stuff for a great club!  ANw new definition of "movement"  Sutton is among the best around and they are doing the right things for their members.  A tribute to Mark and the classy owner group up there. 

[RJ_Daley]

Chris, your attitude is also a winning approach.  I feel it is notable and revealing that you have been highly complimentary and respectful of other similar unique prairie to plains golf facilities that have sprung up out there in a decade.  On some level there must be some competition for national or regionally situated members that are a target market.  Yet, I think you are the posterboy proponent of a rising tide lifts all boats and cheer the uniqueness and quality efforts of the products that the several of these prairie golf facilities are offering. 

[Rick Shefchik]

Those photos are heartbreaking. I saw less extensive examples of what Sutton Bay has been dealing with on my last visit a couple of years ago, but seeing these photos is like seeing someone slash a valuable painting. I'm sure Marsh's mesa-top 18 will be very good, but it's hard to imagine a new course farther away from the lake being as good as the original was.

[Ken Moum]

Having lived in Pierre for 23 years, and having spent hundred of hours hunting the land allong the Missouri over those years, I first found it hard to believe that no one ever thought about how much the river breaks move over time.

But then I realized that it never occured to me either.

FWIW, those crack are NOTHING compared to what's possible in that area.

I have seen slumps that dropped 30 to 40 feet overnight.

K

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I am very sorry to hear this as well. I do not know how this could be a surprise to anybody who lives on the land in that area.

[Brad Isaacs]

I have heard very good things about the course from a member friend over the years.  It breaks my heart that this has happened to a really good course. I hope the new course lives up to its father. 

Is the present course playable currently?

[Chris Johnston]

Chris, your attitude is also a winning approach.  I feel it is notable and revealing that you have been highly complimentary and respectful of other similar unique prairie to plains golf facilities that have sprung up out there in a decade.  On some level there must be some competition for national or regionally situated members that are a target market.  Yet, I think you are the posterboy proponent of a rising tide lifts all boats and cheer the uniqueness and quality efforts of the products that the several of these prairie golf facilities are offering. 

RJD - Thanks  

I am (and hope we all are) a big fan of golf courses.  What happened at Sutton is a tragedy and they are a great place and good neighbor.  I don't think of anyone around here as competition and don't subscribe to any zero sum (I win/you lose) viewpoint.  Working together and supporting each other is a double win - always best for the game and each other. Great and unique golf is to be cheered, cherished and shared, and everyone out here provides a different variant of something very special.  Mark and his team have their hands full and they have done, and are doing, quite a good job up there.  Like all the golf outposts around here, Sutton Bay a GREAT place!

We at Dismal River are ready to assist any neighbor, anytime. That's what neighbors do.  We are all brothers, part the same great game.

[Mac Plumart]

We are all brothers, part the same great game.

AMEN!!!

[Derek Dirksen]

Tiger, to be honest no one who was involved in the course (originally) actually "lives in the area".  Not even Mark, who was a resident of Soiux Falls and was from Brookings which both are several hrs down the road.  When it was built there were no voids or cracks in the terrain.  The last I heard was the damage was due to the lake being so low (they thought it was sucking water from the bluffs and that was why the cracks and sluffs were occuring).  At the time of construction it was 20 to 30 feet below normal and up until this year was even lower.  In fact they had to redo the irrigation intake line from the lake as it was above water level after a few years. 

I actually would be surprised to see what the "new" course looks like as the top of the bluffs are really flat.  They will have to move some dirt to make it interesting.  Not to mention the man made irrigation pond is up there and it is rather rectangle.  In my opinion and it has been a while (since construction) but it will take a lot to make the lake very viewable from up there.  As we all know anything can be done!!!

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Derek, I understand. There has to be more to this story. How do you get insurance for a clubhouse, hotel etc without this coming up? How does an architect design the clubhouse/hotel without  some local input? How do you do groundwater studies etc without this coming out? the areal photos from the greater area should disclose this. However maybe all fell through the cracks as you noted it was not handled with local knowledge. It just seems to me soil stability is a big deal from a design point of view. I know on my project that did not get off the ground in 2001 I had a good bit of soil and subsurface studies on the planning end for a variety of reasons.