Willow Run Golf Course Makes Changes

If you plan on hitting the links at Willow Run Golf Course in Sioux Falls this summer, you're going to notice some changes.
    
Tom Walsh, Sr. is waiting for the decision from a bankruptcy court to buy the course from its past owners. But in the meantime, improvements are being made.

There's a long list of changes taking place at Willow Run and each and every one of them are with the golfer in mind.    
And from the sounds of it, golfers couldn't be happier.

"It's a course that I've always loved to play on anyway.  And after the input on what's going on now, everybody is just charged up to be out here a lot more," golfer Mike Gillespie said.

Gillespie has been playing at Willow Run for about 25 years. While the upgrades are only in the beginning stages, he says they're already making a difference.

"They all look great. I mean the way they're making the new tee boxes is going to be fantastic. I've only been out here a couple times so far. Already the course is in great shape," Gillespie said.

Walsh says crews plan on making changes to each of the 18 holes. 

"There will be four tee boxes on every hole. We're trying to make it more fun and playable, not harder, because this is really an entertainment business just like the Skyforce is. If you have fun, you'll do it more often," Walsh said.

He said the course will also add three water features, they will also move the creek in four places, and add quite a few sand traps.

"And I hate sand traps and then were going to make the holes about this big so some of us old golfers can enjoy it, too," Walsh said.

A brand new fleet of carts is also equipped with state-of-the-art GPS units.

"It will speed up play; it will make it more fun.  They'll know the distance right away and then in case you do have lightning, you'll be able to address it," Walsh said.

"It's just adding to an already great course. It's just going to be great," Gillespie said. 

The improvements are scheduled to last all summer long, but Walsh said all 18 holes will remain playable throughout construction.