Quad Cities Suggestions

[ME27]

We are planning a golf trip this summer around quad cities area and was looking for some suggestions on what courses to play, what courses to stay away from, and best places for hotel/lodging? We are doing a Thursday -Sunday and will be playing about 6-7 rounds. I have a short list of places people have mentioned to me and want to get some feedback on which ones are the best and if im missing any quality courses.

 

TPC Deere Run

Fyre Lake

Blue Top Ridge

Palmer Hills

Byron Hills

Glynns Creek

Highland Springs

 

Thanks in advance

[DavePelz4]

You might consider Eagle Ridge in Galena. You can rent a house, all stay together which adds to the fun and play 3 amazing and challenging courses along with a fun 9 hole course. The town of Galena also has some great bars, live music and you're not terribly far from a casino is that piques your interest. You can also make a day trip to Deere Run which is about 45 minutes away.

[ME27]

> @DavePelz4 said:

> You might consider Eagle Ridge in Galena. You can rent a house, all stay together which adds to the fun and play 3 amazing and challenging courses along with a fun 9 hole course. The town of Galena also has some great bars, live music and you're not terribly far from a casino is that piques your interest. You can also make a day trip to Deere Run which is about 45 minutes away.

 

Guys are pretty set on Quad Cities area but thanks for the suggestion. Might be an option for next years trip.

[Hawkeye77]

Just my opinion and tastes are always different, but I wouldn't drive over an hour from a base in the Quad Cities just to play Blue Top Ridge. I've played it a few times, but having had the good fortune to play Deere Run (thanks DP4!), I'd play that a second time (someday I'll get "even" with her, lol) before I'd go play at Riverside. And even if you don't stay in Galena, I'd second the nod for that (have played there a few times as well) and the drive, if you are making one, over driving to Riverside.

 

Or Spirit Hollow in Burlington.

[marks21]

I live up near Dubuque and would strongly recommend Eagle Ridge, if not this trip, then a future trip. Galena is nice small town with good food and bars and Eagle Ridge is a solid resort.

 

If you are looking to stay in the Quad Cities and the interstate 80 corridor, your list contains the majority of courses I would recommend. TPC is top dog, I love Glynns Creek and make the trip down a few times a year to play it. Palmer Hill’s is nothing special but a solid city muni course. Not sure your opinion of staying at a casino but Jumers Casino has great access off the interstate, nice rooms, added entertainment with casino, sports bar and restaurants. A few years back they offered a stay and play at TPC, May be worth looking in to as the deal was decent. 2 rounds and one night for pretty much the cost of 2 rounds if booked directly through the course(May have been slightly more but it was worth it). Bluetop is a solid course but about an hours drive. If you decide to head that way, Finkbine in Iowa City may be worth a stop. Home course for the University of Iowa. Could be able to make it a 36 hole day but it could be tight with travel time.

[CircleC29]

I agree with the others, definitely a couple rounds at TPC. Glynns Creek is good and I always enjoy Fyre Lake, it's a Nicklaus design. Personally I would go to Spirit Hollow or Eagle Ridge over Blue Top Ridge.

 

And definitely make reservations at Duck City Bistro!

[jshel]

If you can get access to Davenport CC, it is definitely worth it. Very good classic course.

[tatertot]

> @Hawkeye77 said:

> Just my opinion and tastes are always different, but I wouldn't drive over an hour from a base in the Quad Cities just to play Blue Top Ridge. I've played it a few times, but having had the good fortune to play Deere Run (thanks DP4!), I'd play that a second time (someday I'll get "even" with her, lol) before I'd go play at Riverside. And even if you don't stay in Galena, I'd second the nod for that (have played there a few times as well) and the drive, if you are making one, over driving to Riverside.

>

> Or Spirit Hollow in Burlington.

 

I usually agree with Hawkey77, but am the exact opposite here ... I really enjoy Blue Top Ridge, but am luke warm on Deere Run.

 

I do agree about Spirit Hollow though, excellent track.

[stickfish]

Wherever you decide, happens to be favorite of Feherty as well as mine.

 

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whiteysicecream.com%2Fwp-content%2Fthemes%2Fwhiteys%2Fimages%2Fwhiteys-ice-cream-logo.svg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whiteysicecream.com%2F&tbnid=xZKxHGqTdBFrDM&vet=1&docid=24PbaE6DXRASeM&w=800&h=507&hl=en&client=safari&ved=2ahUKEwiI8bHzuO_hAhUQaq0KHXrLDmwQMygAegQIARAW

 

[Hawkeye77]

> @tatertot said:

> > @Hawkeye77 said:

> > Just my opinion and tastes are always different, but I wouldn't drive over an hour from a base in the Quad Cities just to play Blue Top Ridge. I've played it a few times, but having had the good fortune to play Deere Run (thanks DP4!), I'd play that a second time (someday I'll get "even" with her, lol) before I'd go play at Riverside. And even if you don't stay in Galena, I'd second the nod for that (have played there a few times as well) and the drive, if you are making one, over driving to Riverside.

> >

> > Or Spirit Hollow in Burlington.

>

> I usually agree with Hawkey77, but am the exact opposite here ... I really enjoy Blue Top Ridge, but am luke warm on Deere Run.

>

> I do agree about Spirit Hollow though, excellent track.

 

I really love Finkbine, but I've played it forever off and on so a little biased, and I'm always surprised some folks don't like it, but that's what makes courses interesting. Funny thing, whenever I've played both Blue Top and Finkbine in two days, I always score a lot better at Blue Top and enjoyed playing it, so don't want to give the wrong impression. Maybe I just look down at the lower part where those few original holes are they can't use anymore and wish they were still part of the course. A couple of the replacement holes just don't do much for me. Greens have always been good, I like the routing and elevation changes in general, but I'd always choose Finkbine first (and tatertot is probably in the clear majority liking Blue Top). I have had several fittings there, and may have another this summer - hands down a top notch facility for that. Deere Run seemed more of an "experience", but that's my $.02 and the course was "big" and I enjoyed the views and surroundings more than Blue Top.

 

 

 

[ME27]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Looks like we’re gonna play spirit hollow blue top and Deere run for sure.

 

Any other opinions on hotels/lodging? I know my crew would definitely not be opposed to staying in a casino as Jumer’s was mentioned.

[marks21]

Just a tip but BlueTop, TPC, and Spirit Hollow all offer savings using TeeOff.com. Usually can get on half price with coupon code and instant savings.

 

Quad Cities is mostly chain hotels, can’t think of any place that is really special and a most stay. In regards to food; Machine Shed, ThunderBay Grill, Filling Station are some local places that offer nice dining options. Their are a hand full of breweries in the area that have outdoor seating to relax a bit after the rounds. If you have down time, Le Claire is a few minutes drive and has a good eats, shopping, brewery and distillery.

[Hawkeye77]

Jim's Rib Haven - Rock Island

[braincramp52]

It's not that far from the quad cities to the General at Eagle Ridge. Well worth the trip.

[ME27]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. After hearing all the suggestions and opinions it looks like we are going with this for an itinerary:

arrive wednesday night spirit hollow play spirit hollow thursday am

drive to blue top for a pm round stay at riverside casino

friday am play amana colonies then finkbine

drive to jumers stay there and play tpc deere run saturday morning then fyre lake in the afternoon

stay at jumers again and play tpc deere run again sunday morning and possibly glynns creek after or just head home after TPC depending how everyone is feeling

[henniga]

That's a pretty good itinary. Just a couple of small suggestions. Riverside casino is a decent little casino, but there is nothing else around. You may want to stay in Iowa City. Some good restaurants and bars with Uber/Lyft to get around to avoid drinking and driving. I personally hate Amana Colonies. It is pretty, but it is the defination of target golf thru the the woods. Unless you hit it dead straight you may lose 10 balls. Although I don't love Brown Deere in Coralville, I like it much better. I'm not familar enough with Cedar Rapids courses to give any recommendations there. Just a couple of thoughts.

 

 

 

> @ME27 said:

> Thanks for all the help and suggestions. After hearing all the suggestions and opinions it looks like we are going with this for an itinerary:

> arrive wednesday night spirit hollow play spirit hollow thursday am

> drive to blue top for a pm round stay at riverside casino

> friday am play amana colonies then finkbine

> drive to jumers stay there and play tpc deere run saturday morning then fyre lake in the afternoon

> stay at jumers again and play tpc deere run again sunday morning and possibly glynns creek after or just head home after TPC depending how everyone is feeling

 

 

[Hawkeye77]

> @ME27 said:

> Thanks for all the help and suggestions. After hearing all the suggestions and opinions it looks like we are going with this for an itinerary:

> arrive wednesday night spirit hollow play spirit hollow thursday am

> drive to blue top for a pm round stay at riverside casino

> friday am play amana colonies then finkbine

> drive to jumers stay there and play tpc deere run saturday morning then fyre lake in the afternoon

> stay at jumers again and play tpc deere run again sunday morning and possibly glynns creek after or just head home after TPC depending how everyone is feeling

 

That's ambitious! Hope you have a great time.

[ssp]

Spirit Hollow has a select lodging option that may work well for you if that is of interest.

[ME27]

> @ssp said:

> Spirit Hollow has a select lodging option that may work well for you if that is of interest.

 

Can you elaborate

 

 

[henniga]

As of a couple of years ago they had a handful of rooms on the property. A couple are attached to the restaurant/bar and they had access to their own lounge with TV, card table, recliners. I have never stayed, but I did see them and they were pretty nice. Like I said that was 2-3 years ago.

 

 

> @ME27 said:

> > @ssp said:

> > Spirit Hollow has a select lodging option that may work well for you if that is of interest.

>

> Can you elaborate

>

>

 

 

[ssp]

> @henniga said:

> As of a couple of years ago they had a handful of rooms on the property. A couple are attached to the restaurant/bar and they had access to their own lounge with TV, card table, recliners. I have never stayed, but I did see them and they were pretty nice. Like I said that was 2-3 years ago.

>

>

> > @ME27 said:

> > > @ssp said:

> > > Spirit Hollow has a select lodging option that may work well for you if that is of interest.

> >

> > Can you elaborate

> >

> >

>

>

 

As Henniga said ... I saw a couple nice cabin style buildings on the property near the clubhouse and range. Looked nice. Outdoor fire pits also. Something to check into. I think there is a gambling boat there also.

[ssp]

[https://iowagolf.com/articles/article.cfm?ID=24956](https://www.iowagolf.com/articles/article.cfm?ID=24956 "https://iowagolf.com/articles/article.cfm?ID=24956")

Some info on the lodging.