Craig & Coyne designs new Lazy J course on ‘extraordinary’ site

Landscapes Unlimited is set to begin construction of a new golf course by Craig & Coyne, the design firm of Colton Craig and Tom Coyne, at Lazy J Grand Lodge in Ideal, South Dakota.

Under a new Lazy J Sporting Club brand, the luxury hunting lodge will be transformed into a private destination club with a 7,216-yard layout that is expected to open in summer 2027.

The Jorgensen family owns and operates Lazy J Grand Lodge. The family has deep roots in the area, tracing back to 1909 when Martin Jorgensen Sr established a farm on the land. Today, the lodge is part of a broader family business that includes Jorgensen Land & Cattle, which is renowned for its farming, cattle breeding and conservation efforts.

“The process of acquiring this project was unconventional, as is often the case in the world of golf course architecture,” said Craig. “I was introduced to the Jorgensen family through a referral from Marc Cline, whom I happened to meet one day at a popular lunch spot in Oklahoma City. Marc was wearing a Lido hat, which sparked our conversation. I shared with him details about a new course we were developing just outside of town, and I invited him to visit the construction site. Over the next few weeks, Marc and I crossed paths several times, and I was able to convince him to come out and see the course in progress. After our visit, Marc mentioned he had a friend, Cody Jorgensen, who was considering building a golf course. He subsequently introduced us via a group text, and that marked the beginning of our relationship.”

Landscapes Unlimited is managing planning, development and construction, and Landscapes Golf Management is overseeing pre-opening activities, including membership campaigns and financial management.

“The Jorgensen family is world-class in everything it does, and we expect the new golf course to meet the same standards,” said Tom Everett, president of Landscapes Golf Management. “With significantly growing participation in golf and hunting, and the premium calibre of Lazy J Sporting Club at large, members will absolutely love their experiences time and again.”

Craig describes the brief for designing the new course as “refreshingly open-ended”.

“The Jorgensen family own 20,000 acres of land,” he continued. “Their only request was that we approach the design with the utmost respect for the property’s natural beauty and its cultural significance. There were no constraints on layout or style – only a desire to honour the land.

“This property is truly unparalleled – it’s without a doubt the most extraordinary land we've had the privilege of working on. A dynamic waterway, Thunder Creek, runs through the site, and the way the golf course interacts with this natural feature will offer golfers a thrilling and visually captivating experience. We refer to the terrain as being in the ‘Goldilocks zone’ – not too dramatic, but just dramatic enough. The land is naturally conducive to walkable golf, and we anticipate minimal earthwork will be required, allowing us to preserve its natural charm and features. Our goal is to create a course that feels like it’s always belonged there, utilising the land’s inherent beauty and challenges.”

The design duo is planning subtle greens, naturalised bunkers and short connections between greens and tees, making use of the site’s rolling hills, dramatic ravines and elevation changes.

“The front nine follows a linear out-and-back layout, while the back nine is more axial, with a central ridge acting as the hub for many of the greens and tees – much like the centre of a wagon wheel,” said Craig. “We believe the third hole could become one of the best bunkerless holes in the world. The land is begging to become a golf hole.”

“Our design is influenced by the club’s commitment to creating a space that emphasises the spirit of the game. We are particularly excited to announce that the Lazy J will be a sister club to the Sullivan County Golf Club, a very rural, very public club. The partnership between these two clubs – one private and intimate, the other more public and community-oriented – embodies a beautiful balance that we believe will elevate the golfing experience at Lazy J.”

Other new amenities at Lazy J include the creation of a short-game practice area and a 12-hole short course. The existing 42-bed lodge, including a lounge and restaurant, will also undergo interior and exterior renovation.

“Lazy J will be far more than just a golf course – it will be one of the best playgrounds in the world,” said Craig. “In addition to the new golf course, there will be The Grandchildren’s course (12-hole layout). Bryan and Greg, both sons in the third generation, have twelve children. Members will also have access to exceptional non-golf amenities, including pheasant hunting, a sporting clay course, long-range shooting, and the renowned Midwestern hospitality that the area is known for.”

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