Dacotah Ridge Golf Club At Jackpot Junction Casino – Good As Gold

Ninety miles of cornfields from the southeast corner of the Twin Cities, this side of Redwood Falls, brilliant golf course architect Rees Jones built one of the Minnesota’s greatest hidden treasures on land that’s richer (in character) than all the rows of harvestable gold around it. (The Open) Dr. Jones is well known for his tribal partnerships and brilliant land transformations – for delivering casino amenities that people will fly from all over to play – and I’m always surprised by how many Minnesota golfers don’t even know the course is there. Translation: Thousands upon thousands of Minnesota golfers have never played one of (GolfWeek’s) “10 Best Public Golf Courses” in the state. If you’re part of that “problem” you easily could (and should) become part of the solution. Call three friends (or more) who like to win when they gamble, and take the short drive to Morton. No risk. All reward.

And a great deal of challenge. Dacotah Ridge isn’t an easy course. The 240 acres of turbulent landscape are blanketed by broad firm fairways and fast greens, but also by purposeful patches of thick rough and tall fescue. There are plenty of natural wetlands, a 14-acre lake, a snaking ball magnet they call Wabasha Creek, and trees all over the back nine. The front nine is more links-style by design, with the holes more defined by mounds than the out of bounds and hazards. Prairie and ponds, so much natural charm, it’s no wonder the golf groups line up here to play – which they really do. When you can spend your nights (only four miles) down the street at the Jackpot Junction tables and your days out here swinging away, why wouldn’t you?

Dacotah Ridge begins with one of my favorite opening holes in the state, a beautiful, short, Par 4 bender. The frontside brilliance continues at the downhill 3 Par, 4^th and lake-guarded 5^th, then packs a triple punch to close, with a daunting Par 3 (7^th) followed by two risk/reward jaunts across Wabasha Creek. However you grade it, that’s four or five signature holes already, and the back might be better. #10 launches back out from the clubhouse, leading you to a trio of gems around the aforementioned 14-acre lake. Most contend 11 is the “Signature” – a Par 3, all-water carry to what feels like an island green, and 12/13 keep you in that aquatic frame of mind. It’s a glorious grind, a 7,100 yard journey to the monster you’ll find at 18 – a three-shot Par 5 that demands your best – a championship conclusion worthy of a true championship course.

The Wabasha Creek Restaurant is a comfortable place to hang out before or after your round, open daily from 11am to either 9 or 10 (on weekends). The patio provides a photogenic panoramic perspective of what the golf round offers, and is a relaxing reflective point for scorecard tallying and friendly discussions. Indoors you’ll find a fireplace and warm décor, big screen TVs, and a layout that is both casual and elegant, with four full pages of food selection that give you a little bit of everything. There’s a great bar with bountiful beverage options, and a pro shop staffed by knowledgeable professionals adjacent a full practice range where those professionals can really improve your game (with just a few easy tweaks).

The associated casino – Jackpot Junction Resort – is a draw in it’s own right, a lively light and local night attraction. Offering an assortment of rooms and suites, with a pool, splash pad, and 440,000 square feet of slot machines (1,200) and game tables (24) you’re bound to find the action and reaction you seek on your time and money investment. Add in the three showcase restaurants, several quick-serve options and an entertainment calendar stocked full of big time attractions and you can easily make a 2 or 3 day stay out of your original intent to just play.

It’s safe to say that Dacotah Ridge Golf Club would be a marquee attraction, and much more expensive a round, in (or near) any big city, easily on par with the best in most metros. It’s a simple smooth-highway drive from St. Cloud, Albert Lea, Sioux Falls and the Twin Cities, and annually draws a good crowd from each. As I alluded to before, if you’re not yet part of that crowd, you really should be. You don’t know what you’re missing.