May 11, 2022

This paid piece is sponsored by The Ramkota Companies.

Ask golfers in the Sioux Falls area where they go for a destination round or two, and they’re likely going to answer south or west.

“Nobody thinks about going east to golf,” said Mark Olson, director of operations at Regency Hotel Management.

“And not that there aren’t great courses in in western South Dakota or Nebraska, but if you drive less than five hours east, you can be in the mecca of western Wisconsin golf world, which has such great courses.”

Northern Bay Resort and Marina, which Olson oversees, offers one of them.

Its signature course replicates some of the most celebrated holes in golf, including from Augusta National.

“And the Dells area has three or four championship courses within 20 minutes of our resort, so there’s incredible golf in this area, plus so much to do for the non-golfers who want to visit,” Olson said.

Northern Bay has been owned by Sioux Falls-based Ramkota Companies since 2018.

“We saw incredible potential in this resort and were proven right almost immediately,” CEO Josh Schmaltz said. “We really invested in improving the overall experience of the resort, especially the golf experience, and all through the pandemic, we have seen our rounds go up dramatically. If you’re a golfer in the Sioux Falls area, this resort needs to be on your road trip plan.”

The course includes a replica of Augusta National hole No. 16, known as Redbud, which is considered one of the most unforgiving greens in major championship golf. With its Sunday back-left pin placement, this hole has been the deciding factor in numerous Masters tournaments. Jack Nicklaus birdied the 16th to win his first Masters in 1963 and his last Masters in 1986.

The Northern Bay course also includes replicas of the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, the 16th hole at Firestone Country Club, the fifth hole at Oakland Hills and the third hole at Oakmont Country Club.

The new owners “really concentrated on making the golf course able to compete with the other outstanding courses in the area, and it shows,” Olson said. “Plus, we’re situated on the second biggest lake in Wisconsin, Castle Rock Lake, and surrounded by 300 acres of wooded lands and hills, so it’s a beautiful setting whether you’re golfing or coming to get away.”

Offering more than 200 lakefront condos to reserve, Northern Bay offers two- through four-bedroom accommodations in a total of 29 condo buildings.

These privately owned, fully furnished units can accommodate up to 10 people in floor plans of up to 2,532 square feet. Each unit offers a full kitchen, washer and dryer, gas fireplace and other luxury amenities.

Two houses located on the fifth and ninth holes sleep 12 and 16 people, respectively.

Rental homes have laundry facilities available and come completely furnished with dishes, cookware, and bed and bath items. Each condominium and house has a patio or deck area to relax and take in the beauty of the northern woods.

“So we can do big groups, whether it’s a group of friends golfing, a lot of families getting together for vacation or a bachelor or bachelorette party,” Olson said.

“And you don’t have to stay at the condos to play our course. We’re open to the public seven days a week, and you can make tee times now for anytime this summer.”

Stay at Northern Bay, though, and you can take advantage of a variety of stay-and-play packages, plus find amenities your entire party will love.

“We’ve got a beach and offer swimming, plus you can bring your own boat or rent from us,” Olson said. “Bring your jet skis, rent a pontoon, play some basketball or volleyball or do a little fishing.”

Unwind at the resort’s lakeside Tiki Bar or dine at the Island View Pub & Grille, where you can overlook the golf course from the patio or through large beautiful windows.

Northern Bay also is a popular location for private events, including weddings, corporate retreats and family reunions. The secluded property can accommodate corporate meetings of up to 60 guests. Wedding ceremonies often are held on the beachfront during sunset and also can be located in a relaxed setting near the golf course. The main dining room of the clubhouse is a popular reception spot, and larger receptions can be hosted in the event tent adjacent to the main dining room.

“If you’d like to come visit us soon, we have availability, but we are filling up,” Olson said. “Our busiest month is July and into early August, but we’re open until Nov. 1 with the golf course, and the resort is open year-round.”

Winter months offer snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hunting and ice fishing.

“Plus, there’s always something waiting in the Wisconsin Dells area,” Schmaltz said. “We have some families stay or golf with us and then go visit the water parks and take in the shopping and activities there. This offers a more secluded, less crowded and more laidback atmosphere for your stay while working in some great rounds of golf while you’re here. We’re looking forward to another outstanding season.”

To learn more and schedule your visit to Northern Bay, visit its newly redesigned website here.