Simplified: Elmwood, the city’s flagship golf course, is celebrating a century in operation this year, and the festivities kicked off this week with a ribbon cutting for a brand new, $7.5 million clubhouse. Here’s a closer look.
Why it matters
- The city has seen an increase in demand for golf in recent years, and with more golfers, Elmwood’s old clubhouse – built in the ’60s – wasn’t cutting it. Talks of replacing it first started in 2021, and surplus cash during the pandemic ultimately helped fund the project.
- The new clubhouse is twice the size as the old one at 10,000 square feet. With more space, the city also hopes it can serve as a source of revenue for event rentals, weddings, anniversaries, etc.
- In addition to more space, the city also added a new, indoor cart storage facility after the previous one burned down in 2019. That building also houses the new headquarters for the state’s First Tee youth golf program, as well as offices for the South Dakota Golf Association.
“Essentially, what you have here is the home of golf in the state of South Dakota,” said Justin Arlt, Sioux Falls Golf market manager. “This is the mothership for golf.”
The clubhouse has several new features, including a 1,300-square-foot covered patio with fire places, TVs, and a view of the course.
The first thing visitors will see upon entering is the new South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame, with both physical memorabilia on display as well as interactive digital displays with details on hall of famers…