The Fargo, N.D., property was closed for two years to implement a flood mitigation project, with all 26 acres receiving a total makeover, including grading designed to channel water to a pumping station, a new clubhouse and footgolf.

El Zagal Golf Course in Fargo, N.D., reopened on June 15 after two years, the result of a flood mitigation project that turned the par-3 course into an all-new, modern facility, and saving nearly $2 million in the process the Fargo-based Inforum reported.

“It almost ranks right at the top because we didn’t have to pay for anything,” said Roger Gress, the executive director of the Fargo Park District. “I just don’t know if people understand how lucky Fargo is but this is an area where the levee could easily breach. I mean, it’s one of those projects that fell out of the sky and it’s right at the top of my list as far as, wow, how did we get this?”

The original concept was to build a concrete floodwall around the course, but the cheaper solution involved incorporating the earthen levees into the course. So it closed in August 2014 and the entire 26 acres got a total makeover, with grading designed to channel water to a pumping station on the northeast corner, the Inforum reported.

The east levee, which was not touched, is still at flood stage 33 feet and when water gets into the bowl, Gress figures the course can re-open in seven to 10 days. The levees on the other three sides and the elevation of the clubhouse are at 44 feet, the Inforum reported.

The total cost, including a new clubhouse paid for by city funds, was $2.4 million—down from the original estimate of $2.5 million—with work still yet to do on the southeast corner of the facility that includes a parking lot, the Inforum reported.

The longest holes on the par-27 layout, designed by Gill Design Inc. out of River Falls, Wis., are the 175-yard fifth and eighth holes from the blue tees. The shortest is the 75-yard ninth hole from the white tees. The tee boxes are much longer than the previous version, with the difference in yardage of the white and blue tees usually around 40 yards, the Inforum reported.

“It is very player-friendly,” said head professional Greg McCullough. “It does not have any water and it doesn’t have any bunkers. You can come here and have a good time whether you’re a beginning player or an advanced player.”

Also new to the design is footgolf. “It’s an opportunity to introduce people who normally wouldn’t play golf, and hopefully introduce them to golf,” McCullough said

The fee for footgolf is $5. Green fees for golfers are $10.50 for adults and $6.75 for juniors seven days a week, the Inforum reported.

“It will be a fabric of youth golf for many, many years,” said Fargo Park District vice president Matt Magness. “I used to get dropped off here many days and it’s where I learned the game to a certain degree.”