Jan. 10, 2019

This paid piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitnesss.

Golfers in Yankton and beyond will have another option this season as GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness has started a four-year lease with the city of Yankton for Fox Run Golf Course.

“We really like the course,” GreatLIFE president Donn Hill said. “It’s in good condition, and they really do a nice job maintaining it.”

The 18-hole course is on the north side of Yankton just off Highway 81. It includes a pro shop, practice putting and chipping greens, a practice sand bunker, driving range and indoor simulator.

“It’s a parkland course with mature trees,” Hill said. “And it has big greens and wide fairways, so it’s good for golfers of all abilities.”

The relationship will be a good example of how GreatLIFE can partner with municipalities similar to Yankton, which has about 15,000 residents, to turn their golf courses from liabilities into assets.

“We believe that most municipalities in that size range lose money on their golf courses. They’re subsidizing them,” Hill said.

“We think this is an opportunity to work with Yankton to show that doesn’t need to happen anymore. Other cities, as they see what we’re able to do with our model, will realize they too don’t need to lose money operating golf courses.”

Yankton-area residents can begin signing up for memberships this month. They also will have access to unlimited fitness at the Summit Activity Center, which includes an indoor pool and waterslide along with an indoor walking track, cardio equipment, free weights, fitness classes and two gyms.

“And we’ll be bringing additional fitness options to Yankton,” Hill said. “We’re working on several opportunities we think GreatLIFE members will really enjoy.”

Fox Run Golf Course will continue to be staffed by pro Matt Drake and superintendent Jason Metz.

“We’re looking forward to working with them, and we’ll be hiring many more people in the community as well,” Hill said.

GreatLIFE members from outside Yankton also can use their unlimited golf and fitness benefits there.