Golf architect Jim Engh and contractor ACC Golf have completed the bulk earthworks, along with half of the irrigation system, at the new Minot CC course in North Dakota. The new course replaces one that was lost to flooding in 2011; with flood mitigation uncertain, club members designed to make a move to a new site in the area.

Spring and early summer of this will see the course fully grassed, ahead its planned opening in spring 2015. The states of North and South Dakota have a number of golf projects under way at present; the area is experiencing an economic boom as a result of the oil industry.

“Though this land has provided my associate Mitch Scarborough and I with a great challenge, it has also provided for great potential,” said Engh. “The rolling nature of the terrain means the course has tremendous elevation changes throughout, with many tee shots dropping more than 100 feet. Fairways are designed to be extremely generous to accommodate the topography and of course, the North Dakota winds.”

“The flood of 2011 got a lot of attention due to its severity,” the architect added. “The old course was completely flooded. Many hurdles have been overcome along the way. However, we are now in the home stretch, with the finish line in sight.”