Located on the historical Whitecap Dakota First Nation lands at the heights of the South Saskatchewan River Valley Basin, Dakota Dunes Golf Links opened to the public April 30th, 2004. This 18-hole, full service, natural masterpiece is the Province’s only complete Graham Cooke, Cooke-Carleton designed golf property.
Dakota Dunes Golf Links is laid spaciously throughout natural sand dune formations and the indigenous prairie grasses that surround it's edges. Five tee deck yardages ranging from 5100 to 7300 yards remove the threat of being over-powered by today’s technology. Undulating fairways with large greens will welcome shots of every shape. Whatever your ability to play, you will find the yardage and challenge to fit your game.
Golfers playing a round of golf at Dakota Dunes will experience the ever-changing beauty and character that this special property has to offer. Flora changes regularly throughout the golf season. Crocuses, cactus flowers, wild roses, yellow violets and more repaint the dune-scapes and the rugged land that frames in this golf course.
Dakota Dunes Golf Links is the proud host of the PGA Tour Canada's Dakota Dunes Open each year during the first full week of July. A field of 156 Professional Golfers from aound the world compete for a total purse of $150,000. Past champions and notable participants include Graham DeLeat, Josh Geary, Andres Gonzales, Matt Hill, Adam Hadwin, Brad Fritch, and James Hahn.
Partnership
Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear and his Council were instrumental in developing a ‘land use planning study’ for economic development, and they saw a vision in their land base, that was originally viewed as marginal for any traditional agricultural use. The designated land was ideal for golf course construction and the local golf course market was buoyant with strong demand for play.
The idea to build a golf course was born, but Whitecap Dakota First Nation needed partnering as the capital required to undertake a golf course development was beyond their existing resources. Chief Darcy Bear and his Council brokered partnerships with the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band to see this development come to life.
Together, this partnership of First Nation Economic Development has achieved the reality of the Dakota Dunes Golf Links. Their purpose is focused on economic growth and financial self sufficiency. The Partnership is also committed to providing an avenue to train, develop and retain First Nation employment.
Philosophy
From the onset, the Partnership has chosen quality in its approach to their golf course development. Hiring one of Canada’s best Golf Course Architects in Cooke-Carleton International started the move towards excellence. Graham Cooke and Wayne Carleton are internationally renowned for their design approach and product.
The irrigation system has over 1180 heads and its infrastructure is state of the art, with twice the capacity and coverage of most systems. The construction materials and seed used are of the finest grade. Dakota Dunes Golf Links overall approach is to create and maintain a leading edge in every aspect of its operation, passing that experience on to its patrons.
"We are committed to providing our guests and patrons with an exceptional experience each and every time they visit."