Construction begins on new Scott Hoffman design in South Dakota

Construction work is under way on a golf course designed by Scott Hoffman for the new Mapleton Golf Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

The private, golf-only club will be located on the site of a  19th-century Norwegian homestead, with 210 acres that feature high ridges, meadows, mature trees and the meandering ‘Slip Up Creek’.

“Mapleton will definitely have the feel of some of the great Long Island courses, with similar overall movement and sandy soils,” said Hoffman. “I don’t like to copy other courses but for visuals and keeping with the Long Island theme, the overall look of the fairways, bunkers and surrounding fescue will have the feel of Shinnecock while the green surfaces and shapes will have more the look of National Golf Links. With the amount of sand we are finding beneath the surface I’m hoping to add some more exposed sandy waste into the fescue areas.”

The property has three distinct environments. “The upper plateau is made of rolling sand-based ground, the lower meadow is bordered on all sides and ends at a large group of mature trees, and the Slip Up Creek valley runs along a 100-foot-tall ridge and runs through 60-to-80-foot cottonwoods,” said Hoffman. “I wanted both nines to experience all three zones so that the environment is constantly changing. Holes one to four, ten to twelve, seventeen and eighteen are upper plateau. Holes five, six, fifteen and sixteen are lower meadow, while holes seven, eight, thirteen and fourteen play along and over Slip Up Creek.”

Hoffman has designed the green-to-tee connections to be short to create “an extremely walker-friendly experience”. Fairways will be bentgrass and bunkers will have “rugged shapes and edges framed in fescue”. 

Landscapes Unlimited is handling construction and its sister company Landscapes Golf Management will look after operations, grow-in and opening.

“Mapleton takes advantage of the beautiful heartland topography on which it sits,” said Jack Morgan, senior vice president at Landscapes Unlimited. “The golf course will not be contrived; it will feel like it’s been there for generations yet boast all the modern trappings today’s golfers desire.”

Mapleton is scheduled to open in summer 2025, and will also include a driving range, practice facility and a 13,000-square-foot clubhouse. The club is also planning accommodation.

Alice ChambersAlice Chambers

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