The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation finalized the sale of a golf course just outside Sioux Falls that’s been a decade in the making.
The foundation purchased Spring Creek Golf Course in 2015 with plans to incorporate it into Good Earth State Park. But after local opposition, the foundation decided the best path forward was to sell the property as a golf course.
Kristina Coby is the Executive Director of the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation.
“But you know, a lot of people say, ‘Oh my gosh this has been going on forever.’ In truth, the foundation closed on our contract for deed in October," Coby said. "We haven’t been the full owners. You know, yes, we signed a contract for deed in 2015, but we just paid it off in October 2024. So, it’s not as if it’s just been sitting for 10 years."
At one point, a potential buyer was looking at the property and wanting to turn it into a private course, something the public preferred didn’t happen.
Coby said that fell through and opened the door for a situation where everyone could win.
“We did know that the general public’s consensus was that they would prefer, or they were really hoping, crossing their fingers, that it would remain a public course because the Sioux Falls population is growing which means demand for tee time is growing, which means the fewer there are available to everyone, the less people are going to go," Coby said. "And this is a particular local favorite, this course is. We were excited that the new owner, Fore Score, their intention has always been to keep it a public course."
Fore Score LLC is a newly formed group of local golf enthusiasts and bankers from Plains Commerce Bank. The group is spearheaded by Dann and Mike Grevlos.
“We know about the history of this land and the uncertainty that people have experienced about its future," Mike Grevlos said in a statement. "We are happy to resolve this uncertainty and keep a great course available to the Sioux Falls, Harrisburg, and nearby communities.”
Coby said the proceeds are being reinvested to support future enhancements at Good Earth State Park and the surrounding area.
