Tatanka

Tatanka Golf Club first opened its doors to visiting golfers in 2015 within the Ohiya Casino Resort of the Santee Sioux Nation. Course architect Paul Albanese, inspired by his research and the culture of this native American tribe, fashioned the fairways to fit naturally on the land and integrate with the environment as much as possible.

“We took the history and the culture of the area and the Santee Sioux Nation and used it as a design inspiration in a subtle and respectful way,” he said. “We looked at the land forms and designed something that might reflect local stories. For instance, how a certain mountain looked and got its name was used. We used a story about a medicine woman as inspiration, too.”

Many of these tales involve the great buffalo of the region, and in that regard Albanese took great care to make sure there was literal interpretation. In fenced off areas close to the golf course, herds of these great animals roam.

“Depending on where the buffalo graze on a given day the golfer on a tee can be 10 yards from buffalo,” he said. “We routed the golf course close to them, especially at holes 11, 12 and 13 and they will be part of the experience of playing Tatanka.”