Mitchell board recommends pursuing par-3 "short course" at Lakeview; will ask council for funds
October 17, 2025 | Mitchell, Davison County, South Dakota
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Mitchell Parks & Recreation Board members unanimously signaled support for pursuing a par‑3 “short course” at Lakeview and agreed to send a recommendation to the City Council.
Board members said the project — described as a compact practice-oriented course for beginners and juniors sited north of the driving range — would relieve pressure on the 18‑hole course, expand junior programming and bring additional tournament and recreational revenue. Jeff McIntee said, "I am a 110% in support of this par 3 course," and other board members echoed that support.
Why it matters: proponents told the board the short course would increase access for beginners, reduce wear on regular tee boxes and help sustain rising rounds and membership. Board members pointed to large recent junior participation and tournament business as evidence of demand.
Key details discussed: the most recent cost estimate shown to the board was about $900,000 (plus contingency and design fees). The golf enterprise would provide the majority of funding (board discussion estimated roughly 67–70% of the total), private donations were cited at about $250,000, and the remaining shortfall — described in discussion as roughly $300,000 — would be requested from general‑fund dollars. Board members described foregoing a cart‑path project on hole 15 as one potential reallocation of golf enterprise funds.
Board members discussed siting the short course north of the current driving range so clubhouse staff could provide oversight, and said construction would not interrupt play on the main 18‑hole course. The board also discussed the possibility of purchasing adjacent land to expand the planned footprint and keeping existing trees and contouring to improve aesthetics and playability.
City staff and board members emphasized the project’s operational implications: maintenance would add recurring work, but speakers said the short holes (roughly 60–100 yards) would use smaller greens and simpler teeing areas so the ongoing labor increase should be modest and could be scheduled after regular course work.
What the board will do next: members asked staff to carry the board recommendation to the City Council during upcoming budget discussions. The board did not take a formal roll‑call vote at the meeting; members said they reached a consensus to recommend proceeding and offered to appear at council budget meetings for questions if requested.
Remaining uncertainties: the council had previously cut the broader phase‑3 renovation that included other course changes and later signaled interest only in the short course. Final cost estimates, the exact general‑fund ask and timeline (construction could be next year but was not guaranteed) were not finalized at the meeting.
Board members said the project — described as a compact practice-oriented course for beginners and juniors sited north of the driving range — would relieve pressure on the 18‑hole course, expand junior programming and bring additional tournament and recreational revenue. Jeff McIntee said, "I am a 110% in support of this par 3 course," and other board members echoed that support.
Why it matters: proponents told the board the short course would increase access for beginners, reduce wear on regular tee boxes and help sustain rising rounds and membership. Board members pointed to large recent junior participation and tournament business as evidence of demand.
Key details discussed: the most recent cost estimate shown to the board was about $900,000 (plus contingency and design fees). The golf enterprise would provide the majority of funding (board discussion estimated roughly 67–70% of the total), private donations were cited at about $250,000, and the remaining shortfall — described in discussion as roughly $300,000 — would be requested from general‑fund dollars. Board members described foregoing a cart‑path project on hole 15 as one potential reallocation of golf enterprise funds.
Board members discussed siting the short course north of the current driving range so clubhouse staff could provide oversight, and said construction would not interrupt play on the main 18‑hole course. The board also discussed the possibility of purchasing adjacent land to expand the planned footprint and keeping existing trees and contouring to improve aesthetics and playability.
City staff and board members emphasized the project’s operational implications: maintenance would add recurring work, but speakers said the short holes (roughly 60–100 yards) would use smaller greens and simpler teeing areas so the ongoing labor increase should be modest and could be scheduled after regular course work.
What the board will do next: members asked staff to carry the board recommendation to the City Council during upcoming budget discussions. The board did not take a formal roll‑call vote at the meeting; members said they reached a consensus to recommend proceeding and offered to appear at council budget meetings for questions if requested.
Remaining uncertainties: the council had previously cut the broader phase‑3 renovation that included other course changes and later signaled interest only in the short course. Final cost estimates, the exact general‑fund ask and timeline (construction could be next year but was not guaranteed) were not finalized at the meeting.
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