Golfers enjoy ‘bonus golf’ on city courses

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — It’s a good time to be a golfer in the Sioux Falls area.

All three of the city of Sioux Falls’ public courses opened for play Wednesday and will remain open through Friday this week.

Longtime golfer Gerald Peterson spent part of his day on the Elmwood Golf Course.

“First swings of the year,” Peterson said.

While mid-March isn’t the earliest people have golfed on the city courses, the soft opening is still a treat for golfers.

“The seasonality is usually that April 1st, the target date, so anything before that in the industry we kind of consider bonus golf,” Sioux Falls Golf General Manger Cat Clark said.

The bonus golf has many golfers excited to get out on the courses and enjoy the spring-like weather.

“We were super excited to get out here and get people playing. As soon as we announced it on Monday we were going to be open these three days the phones were ringing off the hook. Tee sheets were filling up, so super excited about the 2025 season,” Clark said.

But the courses aren’t officially open for the season just yet.

“We are closing again on Saturday and Sunday and probably in the next week as snow looks to be lingering around a little longer. This is kind of a soft open is what we call it, but we’ll announce when we’re officially open once the grass kind of greens up and mother nature allows,” Clark said.

But for now, Peterson can enjoy some time back on the course.

“Feels beautiful. No wind, sun is shining, couldn’t be better,” Peterson said.

This week, golf carts are supposed to stay on the cart paths.

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