ST. PAUL — The Department of Natural Resources has granted a two-month reprieve to the golf course at Fort Ridgely State Park in south-central Minnesota.

The DNR originally planned to close the nine-hole course northwest of New Ulm on July 6. But the agency said Friday it will keep it open through Labor Day weekend before closing it permanently and returning it to natural landscaping.

The DNR decided to close the only golf course it operates because it loses money and only about 4 percent of the park’s annual visitors use it. The DNR also views golf as inconsistent with its mission of managing parkland as natural habitat.

Supporters of keeping the golf course open said the DNR’s cuts to the park contributed to the failure of the course.