The Sutton Bay Golf Course, designed by Internationally acclaimed architect Graham Marsh and constructed by master golf builder Bill Kubly, sits above the spectacular landforms of the Missouri breaks and overlooks the massive expanse of water known as Lake Oahe. The 18-hole championship golf course can be authentically described as true inland links golf located on a parcel of land that provides some of the most breathtaking views found on any golf course in the world.
The routing of the course with the crossover after the third and sixth holes has been orientated to maximize those views. This orientation, combined with the double greens at 1/8 and 3/6, and the adjoining fairways that link holes 1 and 9 and holes 4 and 6, all contribute to a unique front nine experience. The return loop captures lake views on five holes whilst the remaining four holes wind their way through the prairie. As the back nine moves away from the mesa, a number of natural elevation changes occur. The drivable 11th plays downhill 30 ft., the well bunkered 12th plays uphill, the long downhill par three 13th offers a plateau green, and a natural creek dissects the par five 14th as you climb to the green. The long and difficult 15th completes a 180-degree change of direction from the previous five holes and has the effect of offering a stern challenge regardless of the daily wind direction. The final combination of the par three 17th and the par five 18th will see many a round of golf either destroyed or culminate in glory. This section of the course is situated such that Mother Nature has the opportunity to exhibit her full strength. Some days it will be a torturous journey as they wind their way back along the edge of the mesa to Swampy’s Shack while other days will feel like a walk in the park.
Sutton Bay is one of only a handful of golf courses in North America that replicates genuine inlands links golf, yet offers its own unique characteristics. The Old School design philosophy provides the enthusiast a golf course they will find immeasurably charming, rewarding, challenging, fair and pure in every sense of true golfing tradition.
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