Inside City Hall: Golf course wraps up successful 2017 season

By: 
Zane Swenson, Brandon Golf Course manager/pro
Even though the 2017 golf season is coming to a close, the lack of snow in November is keeping the golf course open for those “not so fair weather” golfers. Even if the temperatures dip down in the 40’s, we will usually have some play as long as the wind is moderate. The last time we opened for golf in the month of December was back in 2014 when we were open for play from the first through the ninth. For the first time in our 38-year history, the BGC opened for a few days in the month of February this year. However, it was short lived because the weather in March and April was below average for play.
Another first for the BGC this summer was hosting the Men’s and Ladies State Amateur back in August. It is the largest tournament for the South Dakota Golf Association. Golfers from all over the state participated in the three-day tourney. Everything went very well as our Superintendent Kelly Eilers had the course in pristine condition. As a result of the tourney’s success, the SDGA would also like us to host the Men’s and Ladies State Match Play in 2019, which we are very much looking forward to. BGC has hosted nine SDGA State events over the years with the first being the Senior State held back in 1999.
We poured another 1,600 linear feet of cart paths this year, which included holes six through nine. All we have left to construct are holes number four and 10, which we will finish next spring. This will complete our cart path master plan in three and a half years, which is a year and a half ahead of schedule. These paths have been a major capital improvement for the golf course and all have been completed with our own staff and volunteers. 
When all is said and done we will have poured over 6,000 linear feet or approximately 55,000 square feet of concrete, making it a $200,000 capital improvement for the golf course. So far, we have paid for this project mainly through our brick/granite rock fundraising program. I would like to thank all those who supported this program, especially the Golf Committee, as well as the Brandon City Council for their continuing support. 
For those thinking about the 2018 golf season, do not forget to take advantage of our early bird season pass discount program. If you buy your 2018 season golf pass and cart lease before the end of this year you will receive a 10 percent discount. Brandon residents also get an additional 10 percent discount. 
For more information, visit our website www.brandongc.com or call 582-7100. Our December pro-shop hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. We hope to see you golfing in 2018 and have a happy holiday season!

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