Imagine playing nine holes of golf for $3. Or better yet, playing ALL DAY for $5. This is how much it cost to golf at the Roykota Golf Course when it opened in the late 1980s. Years later, it might cost a little more to golf, but the course and its clubhouse, located on Roy Lake two miles south of Lake City, are still going strong, thanks to many dedicated individuals. The business, now known as Royview Country Club, is vibrant and has a promising future.
The origins of Royview and the golf course can be traced back around 70 years to when Roykota Resort was established in 1955 by John Farley and Don Driscoll. The resort included a store and rental cabins on picturesque Roy Lake.
The business went through a few different owners’ hands before being purchased by Duane Strand in 1972. Strand improved the resort by constructing a marina and eventually constructing a new building. In the early 80s, Strand had a new idea for a big addition to the business- a golf course. Kent Duerre who also played a part in the history of Roykota and Royview, recalls that in those years, the lake was way down and the fishing was pretty poor. “Duane had a vision and he liked to golf,” explained Duerre.
The golf course took a few years to come to fruition though. The land had actually been a hayfield, but with persistence and hard work, Strand built a nine-hole course with sand greens. It opened in 1987 and attracted those from near and far.
THIS IS A SPONSORED STORY. READ THE FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL OR CONTACT US AT 605-448-2281 TO START YOUR ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION
