Rotan Golf Club

Larry Hamlin, who caddied at the course as a youngster and is now one of the volunteers who helps keep the course in working condition, said it best: “My father is 87 years old, and there’s another fella that’s 92, and they both still play. These old-timers brought in a dump truck and filled up the water hazards. Then they had the city come out and cut down the trees that were in the way. We had one bunker but they filled that in, too.”

Unlike other nearby courses that are owned by the county and have an easier time funding the maintenance of their golf course (like Kent County GC in Jayton), Rotan’s course is owned by the city. The course is maintained by 12 volunteers who pay $100 per year to be members of the Rotan Golf Club. There is no pro shop and there are no carts. However in the old days, locals used their cars in place of carts, and one member actually backed his “cart” into a tree. These days, members ride their carts from their homes to the course.

The green fee is $5, enforced by the Golf Gods. The small Bermuda greens are watered by hand, although the club is considering the installation of sprinkler heads around the greens. Hole 3 is the signature hole, a par 4 highlighted by an approach shot over a “ditch” to a small green.

Getting there : Located in the city park, with a Little League field and swimming pool nearby, the course is on the north side of Hwy 92 east toward Hamlin (cross street is Lakeview).