Shortly after acquiring the property this year, its owners made known their intent to work with the Kandiyohi County Soil and Water Conservation District on a multi-faceted project to address erosion in Shakopee Creek, according to Mark Haugejorde, President of Tepetonka Club, located two hours west of the Twin Cities, Minn. Haugejorde said the club is committed to placing land along the creek on the golf course property into a permanent easement for the project. Ryan Peterson, with the Kandiyohi County Soil and Water Conservation District, says the golf course owners are among a number of landowners along the creek who have indicated their willingness to participate.

Plans to develop a destination golf course in northern Kandiyohi County are moving forward with a commitment to being an environmentally friendly project, the West Central Tribune reported.

Shortly after acquiring the property this year, its owners made known their intent to work with the Kandiyohi County Soil and Water Conservation District on a multi-faceted project to address erosion in Shakopee Creek, according to Mark Haugejorde, President of Tepetonka Club, which is located two hours west of the Twin Cities, Minn.

Haugejorde said the club is committed to placing land along the creek on the golf course property into a permanent easement for the project, the West Central Tribune reported.

Club + Resort Business recently shared a story about CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz being selected to collaborate with Tepetonka’s design firm OCM Golf on the creation of The Prox, the club’s short course.

Ryan Peterson, with the Kandiyohi County SWCD, told the West Central Tribune that the golf course owners are among a number of landowners along the creek who have indicated their willingness to participate. If funded, work would be undertaken to fix eroded stream banks through a variety of practices, from establishing new vegetation to hard-armoring some areas with rock.

Peterson said the SWCD is hopeful of obtaining state funding for the project, the West Central Tribune reported. With many landowners on board, it can offer a complete project to address erosion, rather than a piecemeal approach, he explained.

Tepetonka Club is now several weeks into its permitting process for the course, the West Central Tribune reported. The first step is to complete an environmental assessment worksheet to determine if there are any environmental issues to address.

Haugerjorde said bromegrass on the site will be replaced by traditional golf course grasses, including bent grasses and fescue mixes, the West Central Tribune reported. There will also be native prairie and pollinator areas incorporated into the course landscape.

Many of the cedar trees on the site will be saved, while others will be processed for on-site use, the West Central Tribune reported. The intent is to develop benches and trim using the cedar available on site, according to Haurgejorde.

The club is planning to convert a house on the site to become “The Landing,” a place where members and guests first gather when arriving at the course in Lake Andrew Township, the West Central Tribune reported. It will be near the main entrance.

Haugejorde said they also intend to convert a 40-foot by 90-foot pole building on the property as “The Hang,” a gathering place for golfers after play, the West Central Tribune reported.

Haugejorde told the West Central Tribune they are hopeful of completing the permitting process for the project this year. If so, construction could get underway next spring. The course could see its first play in early 2025.

Looking longer-term, Tepetonka Club would like to construct member-owned cabins on the site, as well as a lodge for members to stay, the West Central Tribune reported. There are also plans down the road for a supper club.

The club has completed its initial membership round, the West Central Tribune reported. It now counts members from locations as diverse as Florida and Arizona, Haugejorde said. Many come from regional centers in this area, including the Twin Cities, Rochester, Fargo-Moorhead and Sioux Falls.

“The biggest surprise has been how much interest our members have in coming out in the off-season,” said Haugerjorde. They are interested in a wide range of other opportunities, from visiting nearby communities and restaurants to fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities, he said.