Cowboy Golf Foundation Receives JDA Funding for Interior and Exterior Improvements

The Cowboy Golf Foundation in Killdeer, North Dakota, will soon open an indoor golf facility to support student teams and the community at large. This facility is made possible in part by the Dunn County Job Development Authority (JDA), which donated $100,000 toward interior construction and approved grant funding of up to $100,000 with a 4-to-1 match for façade improvements.

“It’s just a godsend,” says Clayton Johnsen, president of the Cowboy Golf Foundation. “The city and county believed that our vision could be a reality. They really want to help the community.”

He and Jeremy Bird, the Foundation's vice president, have worked to develop a vision and bring it to life.  

The new facility will change the face of golf in Dunn County and all of Southwest North Dakota. It will allow high school students to be competitive while providing a warm, safe place for the community to enjoy the sport in the winter months. Join the Cowboy Golf Foundation this 4th of July weekend to celebrate its grand opening.

The Foundation Will Provide Year-Round Golf Support 

The Cowboy Golf Foundation was formed 10 years ago to help local youth receive golf scholarships, buy equipment, and improve their skills. It pays for DJGA (Dakota Junior Golf Association) memberships, which allows youth to play most courses for $5. Johnsen is the first to admit that the Foundation has grown into something bigger than he ever expected and reached a point where it needed its own facility.

The Foundation's biggest obstacle was finding a place to practice indoors. Previously, local high school students were hitting golf balls in the elementary school gym and competed for space with the track team. While some youth golfers tolerated the cramped gym, others simply gave up the sport until it warmed up outside.

“North Dakota winters are extremely long,” says Johnsen. “In order to be competitive, our youth need to be hitting year-round. You can’t not pick up a club for three months and expect to compete against bigger schools that have the resources Killdeer once lacked.”

Johnsen adds that spring can also be tricky for golfers. Late snow can coat a driving range or turn a course into a muddy mess. Local golfers need a place to train regardless of the weather. 

The New Facility Will Benefit the Whole Community 

The Foundation expects to support around 40 youth golfers per week, but will have a larger impact once the community starts using it. The facility will offer classes for elementary and middle school students, and will also be open to adults. Anyone who wants to learn how to play golf and grow their skills can visit the Foundation.

“Golf is a game you can keep playing as you get older; it’s not as hard on the body as other sports like tennis or basketball,” says Johnsen. “I talk to a lot of people who say they wish they had played golf in high school or started playing earlier in life.

The Foundation can also serve as a community gathering place by offering year-round classes and events. Residents will be able to leave their homes and socialize with friends and neighbors regardless of the weather.  
The Foundation expects to support around 40 youth golfers per week, but will have a larger impact once the community starts using it. The facility will offer classes for elementary and middle school students, and will also be open to adults. Anyone who wants to learn how to play golf and grow their skills can visit the Foundation.

“Golf is a game you can keep playing as you get older; it’s not as hard on the body as other sports like tennis or basketball,” says Johnsen. “I talk to a lot of people who say they wish they had played golf in high school or started playing earlier in life.

The Foundation can also serve as a community gathering place by offering year-round classes and events. Residents will be able to leave their homes and socialize with friends and neighbors regardless of the weather.  

Multiple Local Leaders Supported the Project

Johnsen and Bird would like to thank Carie Boster, Director of the JDA, for her support on the project. While the interior investments are essential for giving local golfers the tools they need to grow, the façade improvements will create a “wow factor” that makes the facility visible as soon as you drive into Killdeer on Highway 22.  

“Without the JDA, this project would not be what it is today,” he says. “They are helping us build something the community can be proud of.”

Johnsen and Bird also want to thank the City of Killdeer for its support, specifically the city commissioners and Ryan Schleppenbach at the Parks and Recreation Department for letting them know about the vacant building they are moving into.

“If he didn’t say this building would be available, we’d still be looking for a space indoors,” says Johnsen.

Additionally, Johnsen and Bird would like to thank all the sponsors who jumped on board. “The overwhelming support and momentum we received was more than we could’ve imagined, and we’re very thankful.”

The Cowboy Golf Foundation is currently working on a website, but interested golfers can visit its Facebook page for updates. They can also contact Johnsen at cowboygolffoundation@gmail.com or by phone at 701-764-600

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The Cowboy Golf Foundation is a great example of residents working to grow Dunn County. New businesses are opening across the region as entrepreneurs launch ideas and other companies move to the area. The JDA works year-round to support growth and create opportunities for residents. Follow us for additional news updates and stories.

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