Montana’s one & only

Rising Sun Golf Course superintendent Mike Petersen has been involved in the golf business for over 40 years. He began working on the turf as a ball picker when he was just 13 years old. After college, he moved over to maintenance before getting an opportunity to lead a course construction project at 28. Petersen fell in love with the construction and renovation process, moving from course to course, and continued this work.

Until he met Montana.

In 2010, Petersen joined Johnny Miller of Johnny Miller Design in southwest Montana for the construction of Rising Sun Golf Course. Following construction, Petersen joined the staff as superintendent. “I got bit by the Montana bug, and then decided to stay,” Petersen says. “More than anything, we fell in love with Montana and the culture of the ranch. It’s an amazing opportunity, an amazing property and a very unique golf experience.”

Owned by Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is found in the Emigrant community of southwest Montana. It operates as an upscale ranch resort where guests visit for week-long stays, having access to horseback riding, hiking, golf, archery and other outdoor activities amid the Absaroka and Gallatin mountains. The ranch’s Rising Sun Golf Course operates as a guest amenity. 

Rising Sun Golf Course opened in 2011 as a 9-hole course and practice facility, designed by Miller. In 2016, following the purchase of more land, the course doubled to 18 holes.

The facility became the first and only Montana golf course to earn Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification from Audubon International in 2017. When the course earned certification, Petersen was working closely with former director of conservation Whitney Tilt on the initial paperwork and processes. Now Petersen works with Peter Brown, the current senior program officer of environment, through the AMB West Community Fund and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

Nearly 100 birdhouses are scattered around the property, attracting species such as bluebirds and red-tail hawks. Monarch-attracting plants have also been placed throughout the property, in hopes of attracting the endangered species. Blank has made sustainability a high value of not just the golf course but the entire property. Recycling and water conservation are top priorities. “He has a huge passion for sustainability and conservation,” Petersen says.

The course recently finished a bunker renovation project, using EcoBunker on sod walls, a product made of recycled field turf from soccer pitches in Europe. 

Sticking to the trend of recycled materials, the course is finalizing approval to use TRUEGRID Pavers to replace cart paths. The product is made up of recycled HDPE plastic formed into two-by-two sections of honeycomb design. These pieces are locked together like Lego bricks, making for a durable and sustainable paving option. “It’s another effort on our end to use something recycled as opposed to coming out here and blowing out 90,000 square feet of concrete,” Petersen says.

The course is planning to build solar-powered self-contained equipment wash stations. Petersen also uses the Toro Lynx Central Control System to monitor water usage, ensuring areas aren’t being overirrigated.

Located amid Montana mountains and plains, Rising Sun Golf Course has ensured the property is treated with care with sustainability on the front line. For Petersen, his role is an opportunity. “I’m a firm believer: leave it better than you found it,” Petersen says. “I think it’s an amazing opportunity we have as construction guys and golf course superintendents to change the landscape and make sure we leave it better than we found it.”