Golf has become a big business in Indian Country, with 50 tribal-owned courses in 16 states and 20 more on the way.

Many of the facilities were built in the last six years, according to the Associated Press. The boom is associated with the expansion of the Indian gaming industry. Many tribes offer golf and gaming packages to lure players to their award-winning, large courses.

"When Native American tribes put up a course next to their resort, they don't put up just a run-of-the-mill course," Henry Boulley, a member of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan and the organizer of the Native American Cup golf tournament, told the AP. "They put up a really spectacular course."

According to the AP, Arizona has the most tribal golf courses, with eight owned by five tribes. New Mexico is a close second with six courses owned by five tribes. New York, California and Wisconsin each have five tribal-owned courses.

Get the Story:
American Indian Tribes Tap Into Golf (AP 4/21)
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Relevant Links:
Native American Cup - http://www.nativeamericancup.org

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