Sunken Prairie Golf Club
Alex Elias
Located five miles south of Webster, South Dakota, along Reetz Lake, Sunken Prairie Golf Club is a master-planned high-end golf club with a residential component, a first-class clubhouse, and private hunting and fishing in addition to other luxury amenities.
Designed by Steve Smyers, Colton Craig, and author Tom Coyne, the routing of the golf course takes advantage of the natural terrain and water formed by flooded farmland—land that the Reetz family had farmed and raised livestock on for decades—requiring minimal dirt-moving to preserve a traditional links feel similar to courses in Scotland and Ireland.
“We want the golf course to fit the land. We are not going out there to carve and create golf holes—they already exist,” said Riley Reetz, President of Sunken Prairie Golf Club. “It is one of the most natural golf layouts our golf architects have seen. To capitalize on that potential, Smyers Craig & Coyne (SCC) drew directly from centuries of British Isles golf course architecture. Grounded in Smyers’ European competition and design experience, Coyne’s extensive play of every links course in Scotland and Ireland, and Craig’s research from his 2024 World 100 Architectural Fellowship, SCC has crafted a true ‘love letter to links golf,’ a rare neo-links course anchored in the heart of America. The routing is a true linear out-and-in design, with the ‘turn’ taking place at the far end with Holes 11 and 12.”
As the “Big Turn” from 11 green to 12 tee unveils a dramatic vista across the landscape—a standout signature moment—the back nine builds to a dramatic closing stretch.
A “chameleon hole” that can play as a traditional Par-4, a risk-reward drivable Par-4, or a long Par-3, Hole 16 is followed by a short Par-3 along the shoreline guarded by a Lion’s Mouth bunker, and a reachable Par-5 crossing the lake and climbing toward the clubhouse.
Rustic in nature, the clubhouse will sit above Hole 1 and 18, with stunning views of Reetz Lake.
“The hunting lodge-style clubhouse will match the quiet country it resides in and will feature a fine dining restaurant, a bar and social club, a second-story wraparound deck with views of the entire course and lake, locker rooms, and conference and meeting rooms,” said Reetz.
Although Sunken Prairie is envisioned as a private destination club, there will be a “back door” policy for the public golfer.
“Anyone can get a one-time, unsponsored round at Sunken Prairie if they buy a green fee at Webster Golf Club (the local municipal course in Webster) and bring the receipt along with a short note, story, or drawing about what the game of golf means to them,” said Reetz. “Eventually, all those notes will be pinned to a dedicated wall in the Sunken Prairie clubhouse.”
After the corn is harvested, Sunken Prairie will begin breaking ground on the clubhouse and golf course, both projected to be completed by the end of Summer 2027.
“Our goal with Sunken Prairie is to create a sporting tradition that honors the history of the land while delivering a world-class experience for golfers and outdoorsmen alike. By highlighting the natural beauty of eastern South Dakota, we are building a destination where families, members, and guests can connect with nature and enjoy top-tier hospitality,” said Reetz.
