Hidden gems along the I-80/I-29 corridor

[ALo314]

Headed up to Landmand over Labor Day weekend and I'm looking for a place to play Monday (Labor Day). I'll be headed up I-35 to Des Moines, then across I-80 and up I-29 with the same return route.

 

I have a couple places on my radar, but curious as to what you all have in mind.

Not necessarily looking to play a high end course ($60+) like a Bent Tree or Quarry Oaks ect, but more of a muni-vibe or small town track that's nice.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited August 25, 2022 by ALo314

[Stetson]

I would play Highlands in Lincoln as a tune up

[Cysmic]

Starting on the west side of Des Moines, you could check out River Valley in Adel, IA.  A nice little 18 hole course made famous during the Iowa Girls High School tournament this spring when the greenskeeper had some fun with the pin location on the 18th green.  Here's a link to the carnage.

 

Continuing west, there's an 18 hole on the south side of Anita, IA which is just south of I-80.  I played it several years ago but remember it being in pretty good condition (at the time) and there being some fun holes. 

 

West of that is Atlantic which has two 18 hole courses.  The Atlantic Country Club was definitely the better of the two course.  I played them the same time I played the course in Anita.  Nishna was in a little rougher shape and had many straight out and back holes from what I remember.  That was at the tail end of a very long day during a guys trip though, so my memory could be faulty.  

 

Further west and a little further south off I-80 is a little 9 hole course in Oakland, IA.  I played that this spring after playing at Bent Tree on my way back home.  If you're looking for a "quirky" course, then this one would certainly fit the bill.  The second hole in particular was shaped like a backwards 7.  It's not long but I found it quite enjoyable just because of the quirk and elevation changes.  

 

I have not played the 9 hole course in Neola, IA just south of the I-80/880 intersection.  

 

As far as once you get on I-29 heading north.  There's not much along the way on the Iowa side.  Onawa and Sloan both have little 9 hole courses that wouldn't be much to write home about.  

Maybe Stetson can speak to the courses on the Nebraska side.  

 

There's a course in Woodbine, IA which is up Hwy 30 off I-29 that was fun to play.  It's a 9 hole course with some fun holes but I know the course was for sale this past year so I can't speak to the condition of the course currently.  

 

If you decide to travel I-35 up to Hwy 20 and take that west across to Sioux City, let me know.  Ankeny and Ames have some nice courses that would be equivalent to Bent Tree.  Webster City has a unique 18 hole course.  Sac City, Holstein and Moville have some nice 9 hole courses.  

 

[ALo314]

On 8/25/2022 at 11:04 AM, Stetson said:

I would play Highlands in Lincoln as a tune up

The schedule isn't going to allow any golf on the way up there. I've got a 1:45 tee time and a 4.5 hour drive the morning of. I've got all day on Monday coming back to find a place to play.

[ALo314]

On 8/25/2022 at 3:26 PM, Cysmic said:

Starting on the west side of Des Moines, you could check out River Valley in Adel, IA.  A nice little 18 hole course made famous during the Iowa Girls High School tournament this spring when the greenskeeper had some fun with the pin location on the 18th green.  Here's a link to the carnage.

 

Continuing west, there's an 18 hole on the south side of Anita, IA which is just south of I-80.  I played it several years ago but remember it being in pretty good condition (at the time) and there being some fun holes. 

 

West of that is Atlantic which has two 18 hole courses.  The Atlantic Country Club was definitely the better of the two course.  I played them the same time I played the course in Anita.  Nishna was in a little rougher shape and had many straight out and back holes from what I remember.  That was at the tail end of a very long day during a guys trip though, so my memory could be faulty.  

 

Further west and a little further south off I-80 is a little 9 hole course in Oakland, IA.  I played that this spring after playing at Bent Tree on my way back home.  If you're looking for a "quirky" course, then this one would certainly fit the bill.  The second hole in particular was shaped like a backwards 7.  It's not long but I found it quite enjoyable just because of the quirk and elevation changes.  

 

I have not played the 9 hole course in Neola, IA just south of the I-80/880 intersection.  

 

As far as once you get on I-29 heading north.  There's not much along the way on the Iowa side.  Onawa and Sloan both have little 9 hole courses that wouldn't be much to write home about.  

Maybe Stetson can speak to the courses on the Nebraska side.  

 

There's a course in Woodbine, IA which is up Hwy 30 off I-29 that was fun to play.  It's a 9 hole course with some fun holes but I know the course was for sale this past year so I can't speak to the condition of the course currently.  

 

If you decide to travel I-35 up to Hwy 20 and take that west across to Sioux City, let me know.  Ankeny and Ames have some nice courses that would be equivalent to Bent Tree.  Webster City has a unique 18 hole course.  Sac City, Holstein and Moville have some nice 9 hole courses.  

 

Thanks for the intel. I really appreciate it.