Getting To Know: Dacotah Ridge Golf Club

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Eric Hildreth who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
Dacotah Ridge is the only Rees Jones course in the state of Minnesota. It's a prairie style layout which most golfers coming from the Twin Cities area do not play too often. Since we have 5 sets of tees, it doesn't matter what the golfer's ability level is, the course is challenging but fair.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
One of the more popular items that come up from our guests are the greens. They have subtle breaks to them and are usually very fast and true. I hear it constantly from golfers saying they read too much break into their putts. So the one tip I can give a golfer coming to Dacotah Ridge is trust your first read and don't try to read something into a putt that isn't there.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Currently #3 Best Public Access Golf Course in Minnesota. Golfweek Currently #5 Best Public Course in Minnesota. Golf Digest

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
We do not have a "signature" hole however, hole #18 is typically the most photographed of all the holes. It's a 569 yard par 5 from the back tee with an elevated tee box and doglegs from right to left. Trees line both sides of the fairway with Wabasha Creek winding down the left side of the hole.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
Personally my favorite hole is #8. It's a 406 yard par 4 that doglegs from right to left. Hitting the fairway on this hole is very important. A water hazard runs down the entire left side of the hole with a steep bank leading down to the hazard. Any ball hit towards the embankment runs into the hazard. The main reason this is my favorite hole is it's a total risk/reward tee shot. The more you try and cut off the dogleg, the shorter your second shot will be. However, if you try and cut too much off, your ball will end up in a watery grave.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
One of the favorite lunch items at Dacotah Ridge's Wabasha Creek Restaurant is the Smoked Brisket Rueben Sandwich. It's our take on the traditional Reuben. It seems that the popular drink item at the bar is the Bloody Mary. Guests always rave about them.

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
The course record was established in 2001 by Joe O'Brien. His score was 65. It was the first PGA Assistant's golf tournament we had ever held at Dacotah Ridge. I believe he made 7 birdies with no bogies.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 7109
Slope: 145
Rating: 74.8

More Information
Dacotah Ridge Golf Club
31042 County Hwy 2
Morton, Minnesota, 56270
507-697-8050
www.dacotahridge.com