Our Big Day: The Desert Classic

South Dakota’s capital city, Pierre, is south of Lake Oahe along the Missouri River. Pierre’s only public 18-hole championship layout is Hillsview Golf Course. It plays up to 6,735 yards, is a par 72, and has been owned and managed by the city since 1981. Opening in 1966 with a design by Charles Maddox, Hillsview’s big tournament is the Desert Classic. This year marks the 55th edition.

“We always host the event in August and it’s always 100 degrees or more,” laughs Bryan Tipton, former Hillsview superintendent and current director of Parks & Recreational Services. The event title is a joke about the heat, but bentgrass greens are no joke to maintain in that weather. The fairways are bluegrass and Jordan Steiner, the current superintendent, is doing a great job.

“We are semi-arid and average 42 days annually above 90 degrees,” Tipton says. “The eastern and western parts of South Dakota don’t have half as much. It’s challenging. I have witnessed more than 30 days straight above 90 degrees and stuff is dying. We are 100 percent watered, but it’s still brutal when you don’t get rain or a break in the heat.”

Held Friday through Sunday, the dates in August shift. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is around the same time and some of Hillsview’s lean, full-time staff participate in that. The event also falls when seasonal staff are heading to school. “One year there was a kid who came in, mowed the greens and left straight for college. I was begging for him to spend one more night at home,” Tipton jokes.

The format of the Desert Classic changes to keep it fresh and engaging. One of Tipton’s favorite playing memories, years ago, was a horse-and-dog elimination competition, with a massive number of teams teeing off together. Alternate shot, match play and stroke play have all been enjoyed.

The staff is motivated by and takes pride in the event, which attracts locals and visitors from out of state. “We know the format in advance and we save our tougher pin positions for the tournament,” Tipton says. “We aim for maximum green speeds. It’s not hard when it’s hot and dry. We quit watering and do some extra rolling.”

Supported by the Oahe Men’s Golf Association, hundreds of golfers will play and there’s a large meal during the weekend. It used to be a more formal affair but is now a casual barbeque. There are no grand trophies or celebrations. The focus is squarely on the camaraderie and the golf.

Both are as much appreciated now as they ever have been. In 2011, there was destructive flooding. Due to the combination of record-setting snowfall in the Rocky Mountains and heavy rain that spring, several dams were opened along the Missouri River. There was extensive flooding throughout the Midwest and Pierre was one of the many cities affected.

“The course was under three to six feet of water,” Tipton says. “Unfortunately, there was no way to protect Hillsview. The flooding lasted for weeks. Ironically, the next year was extremely dry. The greens, tees and fairways were fine, but the rough was unacceptable.”

Bringing the event back in 2013, there were more participants than expected — a full contingent for this cherished outing. The maintenance team looks forward to it. It’s about celebrating a great course and the effort that goes into preparing for the event.

“It’s near the end of summer and it’s what we work towards,” Tipton says. “That’s the big tournament. It really is all about the people and the golf.”

— Lee Carr