Sutton Bay
Imagine you have 100 guesses to determine where the golf course in this photo is located…
Be honest, would South Dakota have been on that list? Sutton Bay Golf Course, is a classic links course designed by Internationally acclaimed architect Graham Marsh and constructed by master golf builder Bill Kubly. The 18 hole championship course overlooks the massive expanse of water known as Lake Oahe. It boasts some of the best views of any golf course in the country and is has earned the distinction of the best course in South Dakota and has also become a regular on the annual list of top 100 golf courses in America.
"In a civilized and cultivated country, wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen." -Theodore Roosevelt
Sutton Bay is the premier place to experience upland bird hunting in the Midwest. The club is located within more than 3,600 acres of prime pheasant hunting land, all in licensed preserves which are conservation zones and expertly managed to support healthy wildlife populations and ensure that this unique ecosystem will be enjoyed by for years to come by future generations.
Field Notes.
Driving across the country and passing through South Dakota it’s easy to never leave the freeway. Sutton Bay is a hidden gem, and one that few people ever see. It’s a private club with limited membership but there a few invites out there as well as an occasional open membership if you know where to look. The golf course is impressive and you feel miles from civilization. It was the perfect place to social distance for few days during the COVID-19 pandemic.
And not one to disobey CDC guidelines, my ball also seemed intent on social distancing itself from the hole on many of the large greens. A number of 3 putts later, surrounded by awe inspiring landscape and abundant wildlife, I saw the same truth Mark Twain and many others since have echoed: golf can be a great way to spoil a fine walk.