Golf courses, those all-in-one destinations that boast scenic settings, welcome group play, encourage team bonding and accommodate sit-down meal functions or receptions, are plentiful in North Dakota’s meetings-friendly destinations.
Planners will find an array of popular and award-winning options to choose from when putting together itineraries throughout the state, and attendees can reap the rewards with tournaments and pre- or post-play gatherings, including award ceremonies and luncheons.
Following are eight standout golf clubs to help keep meeting agendas par for the course.
Fargo-Moorhead
Back in 1975, eight men who didn’t like the rules at Fargo Country Club bought some farmland in nearby Oxbow and created their own golf course, according to Jill Halvorson, director of sales at the Fargo-Moorhead CVB. The Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed Oxbow Country Club (www.oxbowcc.com) has been entertaining locals and visiting groups ever since.
“The most dramatic finishing hole in the upper Midwest is its No. 18, a par-four, which requires two strategic shots over water to make the green,” said Halvorson, who added the No. 6 at Oxbow is particularly picturesque.
Oxbow also has a clubhouse and outdoor spaces for group events with up to 180 people, and Moorhead, Minn.-based Moorhead Country Club (www.moor
headcountryclub.com) accommodates banquets for up to 200 people.
“While both are private clubs, each keeps Mondays and Tuesdays open for outside events such as conferences, associations and charities,” said Halvorson.
And both can arrange fun games, including prizes for chipping or successfully putting with a hockey stick or broom.
Grand Forks
In Grand Forks is King’s Walk Golf Course, (www.kingswalk.org) an 18-hole links-style prairie course.
“Arnold Palmer designed and donated the plans to the Grand Forks Park District after the Flood of 1997,” said Deb Stewart, sales manager at the Greater Grand Forks CVB.
The course has four sets of tees to accommodate players of varying abilities, as well as a driving range, putting greens, practice chipping greens and a clubhouse that seats 160 inside and 80 people outside on the patio or under a tent.
The area also sports the Grand Forks Country Club (www.gfcountryclub.com), a private 18-hole course that also has four sets of tees.
“There are four holes crossing a creek and two holes crossing a large pond,” said Stewart. “The country club has a driving range with chipping and putting greens as well.”
While the course is private, it’s available with advance notice for group events of up to 260 people seated inside, or larger groups can overflow outside.
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Bismarck-Mandan
According to Tim Doppler, facilities specialist for the Bismarck Parks & Recreation District, Riverwood Golf Course (www.bisparks.org/facilities/golf-courses) is among Golfweek magazine’s 2016 Best Courses You Can Play.
The heavily forested 18-hole Riverwood accommodates tournaments, and all skill levels can count on an enjoyable round with its five-tee system.
“Tournaments love to add long drive contests and closest-to-the-hole contests for competitors to display their skills as they play their rounds,” said Doppler.
Riverwood also has a lounge for up to 80 people to enjoy a post-tournament dinner and awards ceremony inside, and larger groups can rent tents in the areas adjacent to the golf shop and lounge buildings.
Also in Bismarck is Hawktree Golf Club, (www.hawktree.com) where golfers will notice unique black sand in the bunkers.
According to Jordan Berglund, PGA, head golf professional for the course, it’s a “beautiful and challenging 18-hole facility” that’s consistently ranked among the best courses in North Dakota and top in Bismarck-Mandan.
“We host everything from professional events to corporate outings,” said Berglund. “We have a full-service bar and restaurant to accommodate any event’s needs.”
There is also an on-site pro shop with merchandise, a chipping green, putting green and driving range.
Minot
Opened in 1929 as a nine-hole golf course, today the Minot-based Vardon Golf Club (www.vardongolfclub.com) has 18 holes that according to Todd Lee, its head golf professional, “are not long in distance, but the greens are always kept in excellent shape.”
Lee added that after a flood in 2011, the course is “better now than pre-flood.”
The on-site pro shop offers name-brand golf equipment including clubs, bags, apparel and other accessories, and there is also a clubhouse that accommodates 60 to 80 people for pre- or post-tournament meal functions and receptions.
The Souris River winds throughout the 18-hole Souris Valley Golf Course (www.minotparks.com/golf), which opened in Minot in 1968 and was also impacted by the flood of 2011.
“The golf course is in better shape now than it was before the flood,” said Steve Kotter, director of golf. “The course was designed to stand the test of time, and people throughout the country have expressed it is one of the nicest public golf courses they have golfed.”
Souris Valley features a clubhouse, pro shop and a banquet room that can accommodate up to 150 people.
