Dubuque, IA courses?

[axeme]

I go to Iowa every summer and usually spend some time in Dubuque with my wife's family. It seems like the golf options are limited.

 

Bunker Hill is not much of a track--heavy play, kind of short, not a great design just being squeezed into the property. Pretty much a typical muni type layout that gets heavy play.

 

I played The Meadows the first few years it was opened and thought it had promise. I hadn't played it for a few years and the last couple of times I played there, conditions were pretty rough.

 

Am I missing anything good? Are there any quality public options within 20 min. or so of Dubuque? I'd consider the resort on the other side of Galena a bit too far, though I'd like to hear from anyone who has played there. I know there are some good courses in Iowa (love the Bos Landen course in Pella!) but I spend more time in Dubuque than anywhere else, and may even be moving there in the next 5 years or so. I'd like to hear from anyone in the area if there are any good new courses within a short drive so I have a idea or what my golf options are.

 

Thanks!

[brock125]

I played the Meadows twice in 2011 (Sep and Oct). It was in pretty good shape then. I really liked the course. That's the only course I've played in the Dubuque area other than the Eagle Ridge courses outside Galena. I've heard good things about Lacoma in Dubuque. It might be worth checking out.

[axeme]

I played Lacoma once about 10 years ago. Decent course. It's in Illinois, but not far across the bridge from DBQ. A lot can change in decade, though. I'd be interested in hearing the conditions there these days.

My problem with The Meadows was that it just wasn't being maintained very well. There were a lot of bad spots all around--tees, fairways, greens, traps, areas around the greens--it just was not well groomed at all. A lot of bare, weedy areas everywhere. Maybe it's better now.

[brock125]

When did you play The Meadows? Like I said before, I played it in Sep and Oct in 2011 and it was in pretty good shape then. That was a tough year weather-wise for courses in the area too.