The word Tatanka is a Dakota word that translates to buffalo, and the great buffalo will forever remain a part of the historic culture in northeast Nebraska. The Santee Sioux Nation plans for Tatanka to become synonymous with great golf there as well.

“This is easily one of the nicest pieces of property I have ever been involved with, and it has been incredibly interesting”

Golf course designer Paul Albanese has designed and is developing the new Tatanka Golf Club, which is scheduled to open in 2015. Seeding of the course was recently completed. “This is easily one of the nicest pieces of property I have ever been involved with, and it has been incredibly interesting,” Albanese said regarding the land that features bold movements of rolling hills and ridges with views that stretch for more than 30-40 miles.

The finished design is unique, each hole is different and memorable and each hole is named and derived from a different story from the Sioux culture. For Albanese it wasn’t as big a transition from his design work as some people might think. “We try to get into all the stories and backgrounds that reflect the owners of the courses we design and build,” Albanese said. “Then we try to reflect those in the design.”