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(Editor’s Note: The Pipestone Country Star will be running an eight-part series on local golf courses to promote the game from this issue through Aug. 21.)
SLAYTON — Since the late 1950s, Murray County golfers have enjoyed playing at Slayton Country Club.
One recent change has been made to the par-5 Hole No. 2, now converted into a dogleg with slightly different yardage.
Slayton Country Club has plenty of distinct features, including that tee boxes on Holes Nos. 1, 4 and 7 are just steps from the clubhouse.
The course plays as a par-35, which plays at 2,853 yards from the blue tees and 2,514 yards (red tees).
Golfers will face an elevated tee box on Slayton Country Club’s Hole No. 8, a par-3 measuring 184 yards from the blue tees and 107 from the red. This hole is tougher than it looks. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
According to the golf scorecard, Slayton Country Club’s toughest hole is No. 4, a par-4 measuring 355 yards and Hole No. 9, the easiest (par-4, 333 yards).
Another distinct feature of Slayton Country Club is the creek running through the facility with several wooden-plank bridges.
The venue serves as the site for Murray County Central boys and girls golf tournaments, and a cross country running meet typically toward the end of September.
The Rebel girls golf team, paced by senior Ava Johnson’s 21st-place finish (33-over par 177), was fourth overall at the Class A state tournament in Becker. Kaden Landsman was an all-Red Rock Conference boys’ golf team selection.
There is a practice putting green in front of the clubhouse at Slayton Country Club. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
All of them fine tune their games at Slayton Country Club, which provides a stern challenge with its elevation changes and plentiful trees in the hundreds.
James Wajer, who also serves as Murray County Central’s activities director, is the Slayton Country Club course manager with Scott Connell superintendent.
Rate structure
Like most nine-hole courses in the region, affordability is one of Slayton Country Club’s calling cards.
The cost for nine holes on weekdays is $16 ($26 for 18 holes) and weekends $25 ($35 for 18). The daily cart rental fee is $20 ($10 for a trail fee).
Accuracy helps at Hole No. 3, which has a tiny green. This area also doubles as the finishing area for high school cross country meets. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
The website also lists punch card options, $75 for a member punch card with five punches (one per nine hole), and a non-member punch card (six punches, $100).
Membership costs $750 for a family, $650 individuals and $500 for a first-timer. There are other membership levels for high school and college-age students.
The facility boasts several cart storage buildings with a yearly lease charge of $500 and additional charges are based on other factors — including whether your vehicle is gas- or electric-powered.
Here’s a look at the tee box area on closing Hole No. 9. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Club events
Every Monday is couples league, with women’s league on Tuesdays and men’s league Wednesdays. The cost to sign-up for league play is $20 per person.
The club championship is forthcoming on Sunday, July 20, with the Ken Sagedahl member-guest the weekend of Aug. 2-3.
There are other tournaments scheduled, including a glow-ball event every Friday in September.
There is not a full-service restaurant; however, bar food is available in the form of pizza, quesadillas and chicken tenders. The beverage selection features both Pepsi and Coke products.
The clubhouse features plenty of outdoor seating for socializing after a round of golf. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Interested golfers may book a tee time at www.slaytoncountry.club/book-tee-time. The course opens at 8 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. weekends during the summer.
For information, call 1-507-626-5570 or email: slaytoncountryclub59@gmail.com.
Hole No. 7 is challenging because it’s both uphill and a dogleg left. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
GOLF
At Slayton Country Club
Slayton
Hole by hole
(From regulation tee boxes)
Hole No. 1: 361 yards, par 4; slight dogleg right onto the green with creek running north
Hole No. 2: 474 yards, par-5; has recently been reconfigured with a slight dogleg
Hole No. 3: 190 yards, par-3; one of the easier pins, but it’s uphill
Hole No. 4: 355 yards, par-4; golfers tee off from a sharply elevated box
Hole No. 5: 317 yards, par-4; features a great risk-reward drive
Hole No. 6: 171 yards, par-3; choose your iron carefully on this one
Hole No. 7: 468 yards, par-5; sharp dogleg left makes it difficult
Hole No. 8: 184 yards, par-3; elevated tee box highlights this hole, too
Hole No. 9: 333 yards, par-4; wide fairway helps every golfer