As if a late start to the golf season wasn't enough, some courses in Iowa and South Dakota had to endure 17+ inches of rain over a 10-day period. We took to the road and visited with nine courses and emailed several more for this story. Rock River Golf Club said that their course was in the best shape it had been in years before the severe storms hit. All courses stated they were closed for at least 2 days and had limited access on other days. That included carts on paths only or worse, walking only. Being forced to shut down meant not only a loss of revenue but canceling league nights, Jr Golf events and lessons, and rescheduling tournaments. Most clubhouses stayed open despite course closings and served food and beverages in place of regular league nights.
The common thread we heard at every course was that they received at least seven inches of rain in about a 10-day span. It came down so fast and the ground became very saturated that it had no place to go. Then the next system would come through a day or two later and dumped more rain leaving them in the same situation. Courses that had a creek or river running through them fared worse. Rock River Golf Course in Rock Rapids, IA encountered a flooded Rock River that covered much of their course. Sheldon Country Club in Sheldon had it the worst. The Floyd River flooded the course three times covering eight of its nine holes. "We have been closed since June 14th and we expect to be closed well into next week," says Lyne Shoberg the course manager. That will mark close to three weeks of lost revenue. She went on to say that they don't even know how much rain they received as the flood wiped out their range gauge.
Here are some highlights from the courses we visited. How much rain did your course receive? Comment below!
Brandon Golf Course, Brandon, SD.
"We still have three holes closed along Split Rock Creek but overall we weathered the storms with no serious damage." - Kelly Eilers, Brandon Golf Course Superintendent.
- Received a total of 7" of rain total with 5.8" coming on Wednesday, June 20.
- Brought two pumps in that pumped an estimated 2.5 million gallons of water off the course.
- Total of four days closed.
- Holes 10-12 are still closed.
- No serious damage sustained.
Sheldon Country Club in Sheldon, IA.
- Has been closed over 2 weeks.
- Three separate floods covered the entire course except for green #4.
- Flooded cart storage shed.
- Came within one inch of ruining pump equipment.
- Reciprocity was given to Sheldon members to golf at Sioux Golf & Country Club, Sibley Golf & Country Club, Spencer Municipal Golf Course, and Silver Lake Country Club. Discounts at Otter Valley Country Club, Spencer Country Club, and Primghar Golf Course.
Sibley Golf & Country Club in Sibley, IA.
• Approximately 17" total rainfall.
• One cart bridge washed out.
• Lots of standing water that took days to recede.
• 100% fully open.
Sioux Golf & Country Club in Alton, IA.
"As fast as the water came up, that's how fast it went back down." - Dan Mulder describes the rising Floyd River and standing water on the course.
- Floyd River flooded the course twice.
- Various creeks backed up into Floyd River.
- 9.2" of total rain.
- Closed for five and a half days total.
- No damage and are running as usual.
Rock River Golf Course, Rock Rapids, IA.
- Rock Rapids River pushed outside its banks and covered at least four holes.
- Saturating rains filled low areas and took days to dissipate.
Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange City, IA.
- 10" of rain in eight days.
- Oversaturated the course.
- Closed for two days.
- No damage.
- 17 holes open as of Friday.
The Ridge Golf Club in Sioux Center, IA.
- Over 10" of rain flooded low lying areas.
- Closed for a few days.
- No significant damage.
- 17 and 18 were still closed as of Friday.
Sioux Falls Golf, course managers for Prairie Green, Elmwood and Kuehn Park in Sioux Falls, SD.
"It was very bad timing as we had to cancel or reschedule tournaments resulting in loss of revenue and play opportunities." - Justin Arlt
- 7" of total rain for all storms.
- Closed 2-3 days depending on course with various cart and walking restrictions.
- Bad timing as many events had to be canceled or rescheduled.
Par Mar Valley Country Club in Parker, SD.
- 8" of total rainfall.
- The creek that runs through the course has flooded it.
- Course closed for multiple days.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. How much rain did your course receive? Comment below.