Best course in Iowa not named Harvester?

[brwgolfer]

What is everyone's opinion on the best golf course in Iowa not named the Harvester. We all know the Golf Digest ratings, but what is your opinion of the best course you have played in Iowa? Just curious.

[Ed Rooney]

My experience is pretty limited, but I thought the Amanas course was alright.

[Titleist87]

The Amanas
Lake Panorama

[adamjstl]

I played spirit hollow last year... WOW! I expected a very nice course and it delivered on every level... great conditioning, beautiful scenery, great mix of holes.... we played 36 holes at the end of september for $82

on a side note, my friend's former boss was a traveling pro back in the 60s and 70s.... he's played spirit hollow and the harvester and said spirit hollow was better in terms of scenery and variety of holes.

[brwgolfer]

Spirit Hollow is a good track...I agree. Any others?

[herbst20]

I would concur with those mentioned. I am partial to the Amana Colonies because I am a member there. I love Spirit Hollow though!

[greglarson2]

Glad to see some other people from Iowa on here. I grew up at Lake Panorama so I'm pretty partial to that course. Other course that comes to mind I have played would be Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City. There are a couple good links style courses in NW Iowa. Whispering Creek in Sioux City and The Ridge in Sioux Center (Give this a couple more years and it should be great) are also a couple of good courses.

Courses I've heard great things about but haven't played yet.

Blue Top Ridge
Amana Colonies
Glen Oaks
Harvester
The Preserve at Lake Rathburn
Centennial Oaks

[pun3536]

Davenport CC is one of my favorites

[Skaffa77]

I'm probably being lazy, but where are these courses in IA? Also, are they open to the public?

I live in Omaha and have driven to play the Harvester, but that's about my limit on a drive for a golf day trip. I would love to venture into IA to see some nice courses and am hoping some of these nice courses might be in the western half of the state.

[greglarson2]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1325695214' post='4027283']
I'm probably being lazy, but where are these courses in IA? Also, are they open to the public?

I live in Omaha and have driven to play the Harvester, but that's about my limit on a drive for a golf day trip. I would love to venture into IA to see some nice courses and am hoping some of these nice courses might be in the western half of the state.


[/quote]

There a few nice courses that are on the Western half of the state.

Lake Panorama in Panora, about 2 hours from Omaha
Whispering Creek in Sioux City
The Ridge in Sioux Center
Jester Park in Granger
Tournament Club in Polk City

This was the list of the top 5 the last couple years all of which are east of Des Moines....

1 Harvester Golf Club
Rhodes, IA
641-227-4653

2 Blue Top Ridge at Riverside Casino
Riverside, IA
319-648-1234
Rees Jones

3 The Preserve Golf Course
Moravia, IA
641-724-1400

4 Spirit Hollow Golf Course
Burlington, IA
319-752-0004

5 Amana Colonies Golf Course
Amana, IA
800-383-3636
William J. Spear 1989

[jli2636]

Used to drive by Spirit Hollow all the time on my way back to school in MO from IL. I would always want to steer the car towards the course haha but still havent had an opportunity to play it.

[iowan]

2013 Preseve In Lake Rathbun flooded again. All bridges are flooded as of June.Course is open but detours around bridges are up to half mile.

[axeme]

Anyone played Bos Landen in Pella recently? I played around there about 8-9 years ago and thought it was an interesting course. Very penal off the fairways if I remember, but it was in great shape then. I'd be interested in hearing form anyone who has played it recently. I'm going to be out that way in a couple of weeks.

[etmccain]

I played the Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City last spring when we were in town for a family wedding and it was in great shape. The course was fun and very well maintained, and the staff was helpful and friendly. Sadly, this is the limit of my Iowa golf experience, I'm hoping to get back out there sometime and make a loop at Harvester.

[scfsales]

Great suggestions, thanks!

[callawayjay]

I'm staying at the harvester as I type this and have to say that after venturing off property to play TC of Iowa I would agree that it has come back strong.

But nothing compares to the 13 stimp greens at the harvester.

[ihatecats18]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1325695214' post='4027283']
I'm probably being lazy, but where are these courses in IA? Also, are they open to the public?

I live in Omaha and have driven to play the Harvester, but that's about my limit on a drive for a golf day trip. I would love to venture into IA to see some nice courses and am hoping some of these nice courses might be in the western half of the state.
[/quote]

The Bluffs in Vermillion, South Dakota (home of the U So Dak Golf team) is a very nice course for the price and is public. Definitely worth the drive.

[Toph84]

I am partial to Spirit Hollow, but I grew up 10 minutes from there. I try to play every time I go back to visit family in Iowa. I also like The Preserve and the Amanas used to be good but I haven't played it in probably 10 years.

[MileHighVapor]

Axeme, did you make it back to Bos Landen? I'm curious to know what it's like now compared to 8-10 years ago when I played it. I heard they went through bankruptcy and the course sat unattended for quite awhile. I see it on ezlinks.com sometimes for $12 with cart for 18 holes, I think I paid $50 8ish years ago.

[Reif]

I guess this is a pretty old thread, but +1 for TCI.

Harvester is a nice track, but not worth two or three times the money.

[Phreddy]

This was timely. I am contemplating a small driving tour of Iowa in June. I will have the bag in the car and make as many stops as I can.

Thanks.

[callawayjay]

I'll be staying there as a stay in play in August again. Playing tcofiowa and Amana too!

[jshel]

If you can get on Wakonda Club in Des Moines, you should. It's very good.

The renovations at Cedar Rapids CC look very good.

[dhartmann34]

Playing TCI and Honey Creek (Boone) this up coming weekend. Should be fun!

[Night train]

I'm still trying to figure out how Minnesota and Missouri are both in the Midwest section............and Iowa is in the Great Plains?

[sleuth]

My top 5 preference:
1. The Harvester
2. Glen Oaks Country Club
3. Wakonda Club
4. TCI
5. Des Moines Golf Club North/South

Course I have not played yet, that could make the list:
1. Davenport Country Club
2. Spirit Hollow
3. Bluetop Ridge

[3sip]

Cedar Rapids cc was a nice Ross course years back. I haven't played it in ten years but I remember it being a great course and very well maintained.

[Warrick]

[quote name='callawayjay' timestamp='1434253051' post='11747474']
I'll be staying there as a stay in play in August again. Playing tcofiowa and Amana too!
[/quote]

When you coming in?

I have been wanting to get over to TCI. Yes, I live in Iowa, just not ventured a lot this season.

[callawayjay]

[quote name='Warrick' timestamp='1438711202' post='12077178']
[quote name='callawayjay' timestamp='1434253051' post='11747474']
I'll be staying there as a stay in play in August again. Playing tcofiowa and Amana too!
[/quote]

When you coming in?

I have been wanting to get over to TCI. Yes, I live in Iowa, just not ventured a lot this season.
[/quote]

8/12 to 8/16

TCI on 8-12.

[Warrick]

Oh damn, in town now...

I wish I would have followed this.

When and where else do you have times this week?

You in with a group, or alone?