Looking for a good course to play near Waterloo, IA

[Indy Golfer]

I will be in Waterloo, IA on 5/12 for a wedding. The wedding doesn't start until 4, so I would like to play somewhere that morning. I am originally from Bettendorf (live in Indy now) but I am not familiar with any courses in that area. I could drive a little if needed, maybe to Cedar Rapids if the course is worth the drive.

 

Thanks for any help

[Preduck]

Have never played it, but centennial oaks in waverly held the ncaa div III championships a few years ago. Looks nice. If you are willing to travel a bit, I would say the harvester in Rhodes(about a hour and a half away) or Blue Top Ridge in Riverside (about the same). I've played both and thought both are good layouts. I've never played it, but timberline near dubuque gets good reviews.

[Indy Golfer]

Thanks!

Centennial Oaks may work, I was also considering Amana but that may be too far to drive, play and get back to the wedding at 4p. It looks like the other 2 courses will be too far of a drive as well.

Any other ideas?

[Preduck]

you driving to waterloo or flying in? you could always not stay in the 'loo, catch an early round and finish the drive that afternoon.

[Indy Golfer]

We are driving from Indy to Waterloo on Friday, so I will need to play somewhere within about an hour from Waterloo Saturday morning. I would like to stay in Iowa City on Friday night, but then that would force my wife to ride with me while I play Saturday morning, don't think she really wants to do that.

[Preduck]

Hunter's ridge in Marion is a pretty decent track that I've played. That would be about an hour away. I believe they play a LPGA futures tour event there. Is there a price range your looking to stay under?

[Carl smith]

[quote name='Preduck' timestamp='1334550732' post='4729610']
Hunter's ridge in Marion is a pretty decent track that I've played. That would be about an hour away. I believe they play a LPGA futures tour event there. Is there a price range your looking to stay under?
[/quote]

I live in Cedar Rapids. In Waterloo, you will play municipal tracks, there are no high end courses in the area of Waterloo.

In Iowa City, I would recommend Blue Top Ridge in Riverside. Maybe convince your wife to stay at the casino and allow her to be pampered while you play golf. There is Amana Colonies Golf Course if you don't mind losing a few balls. Hunter's Ridge is my home course and wouldnt be against showing a fellow WRXer the course. Once you head north between CR and Waterloo there really isnt anything.

For the Waterloo area I have played Pheasant Ridge. Not a great course, but doable. My co-worker who is from Waterloo said Gates Park isnt that bad.

[Indy Golfer]

[quote name='Carl smith' timestamp='1334584851' post='4730716']
I live in Cedar Rapids. In Waterloo, you will play municipal tracks, there are no high end courses in the area of Waterloo.

In Iowa City, I would recommend Blue Top Ridge in Riverside. Maybe convince your wife to stay at the casino and allow her to be pampered while you play golf. There is Amana Colonies Golf Course if you don't mind losing a few balls. Hunter's Ridge is my home course and wouldnt be against showing a fellow WRXer the course. Once you head north between CR and Waterloo there really isnt anything.

For the Waterloo area I have played Pheasant Ridge. Not a great course, but doable. My co-worker who is from Waterloo said Gates Park isnt that bad.
[/quote]

Thank you for the information and I may take you up on the offer to play Hunter's Ridge. Is it a difficult course to get on Saturday mornings? We are still discussing if we are going to drive straight from Indy to Waterloo on Friday, thus playing Saturday morning. Or, we may stop in the Quad Cities on Friday to visit family and drive the rest of the way Saturday. Once I get that figured out I will shoot you a PM, if that is okay with you.

Thanks again

[Carl smith]

Not very hard at all. 2 weeks is all they book in advance. Confirm the date and I'll get it setup.

[greglarson2]

I'll throw my 2 cents in quick.

If you are okay with the drive Hunter's Ridge is probably going to be your best bet. Centennial Oaks is another good option that is only about 30 minutes away. I still haven't played this course, but have heard great things about it. The only other option I would say is Fox Ridge in Dike, its only about 15-20 minutes outside of Waterloo and is a pretty decent course.

Let me know if you need a fourth, I live in Independence about 20 mins from Waterloo and am usually down for a round.

[Aithos]

I'm in the quad cities, if you wanted to play a nice course there are a few here but that would be Friday as its a bit too far for your Saturday round. TPC Deere run is a nice course and hosts a PGA tour event and the Arsenal course is nice (formerly private club). I'd offer to show you around but my best friend is getting married that Saturday and I'm in the wedding so my Friday/Saturday are booked...

Eagle Ridge in Dubuque is also supposed to be nice but I haven't played there. The blue course at Lacoma in East Dubuque was always nice but it's been 10 years since I played there so can't comment on current conditions.

[Indy Golfer]

All of my family is still in the QC and we still visit a few times a year. We typically play Glynn's Creek, Valley Oaks, Spirit Hollow, Highland Springs or Emeis. I've played TPC a few times and really enjoyed it. I would like to play the Arsenal when I go back for a visit this summer, are they keeping it in good shape since making it public?

[Aithos]

[quote name='Indy Golfer' timestamp='1334690576' post='4739242']
All of my family is still in the QC and we still visit a few times a year. We typically play Glynn's Creek, Valley Oaks, Spirit Hollow, Highland Springs or Emeis. I've played TPC a few times and really enjoyed it. I would like to play the Arsenal when I go back for a visit this summer, are they keeping it in good shape since making it public?
[/quote]

Yes, but it's actually opposite of what you're thinking. Under private ownership the last couple years they really struggled, the people who bought the course prior to the government taking it over (the base) were crooks who didn't care about the course. They had laid people off, didn't pay their debts, ran out of supplies. It was bad.

When it went public The course management basically went to war and it's gotten much better. I've spoken with the pro and the course superintendent and they have been doing everything possible to bring the course back to what it was and should be like. It isn't perfect but I've been happy with the progress and it is still a nice course to play.

I also enjoy Emeis and Palmer Hills for public courses but the country clubs are really nice. If you can get on at Pinnacle that's my favorite course in the area, and Oakwood is also very nice...

[Indy Golfer]

Okay, so here's the plan.

I will be in Waterloo Friday night, so I'm good to go Saturday morning if you are still interested. I need to be back at my hotel in Waterloo by 2:30 (probably need to leave the course by 1:30?) to get ready for the wedding, think that is feasible?

Thanks again for the invite!

[Carl smith]

[quote name='Indy Golfer' timestamp='1334716965' post='4742222']
Okay, so here's the plan.

I will be in Waterloo Friday night, so I'm good to go Saturday morning if you are still interested. I need to be back at my hotel in Waterloo by 2:30 (probably need to leave the course by 1:30?) to get ready for the wedding, think that is feasible?

Thanks again for the invite!
[/quote]

If you are going to be in Waterloo and you want to play Hunter's Ridge in Cedar Rapids, it will be a stretch to be honest with you unless you want to wake early in the morning. It will take you 1 hour to come down, 1 hour to get back to Waterloo. If we tee off at 8AM, we could play, but that means you waking up at 6AM to make the drive down. I'm game if you are. I'll PM you my information. The other option is the Centenial Oaks option in Waverly. It's only 25 minutes away from Waterloo. I haven't played the course yet, and I dont have a wedding that day or my boys so my time is more flexible.

[greglarson2]

[quote name='Carl smith' timestamp='1335277599' post='4780250']
[quote name='Indy Golfer' timestamp='1334716965' post='4742222']
Okay, so here's the plan.

I will be in Waterloo Friday night, so I'm good to go Saturday morning if you are still interested. I need to be back at my hotel in Waterloo by 2:30 (probably need to leave the course by 1:30?) to get ready for the wedding, think that is feasible?

Thanks again for the invite!
[/quote]

If you are going to be in Waterloo and you want to play Hunter's Ridge in Cedar Rapids, it will be a stretch to be honest with you unless you want to wake early in the morning. It will take you 1 hour to come down, 1 hour to get back to Waterloo. If we tee off at 8AM, we could play, but that means you waking up at 6AM to make the drive down. I'm game if you are. I'll PM you my information. The other option is the Centenial Oaks option in Waverly. It's only 25 minutes away from Waterloo. I haven't played the course yet, and I dont have a wedding that day or my boys so my time is more flexible.
[/quote]

Yeah I was going to mention something about time. As I'm not 100% on how quick Hunter's plays during the weekend morning, Carl you could comment more on that. Keep in mind that is sort of a holiday weekend with Mother's Day so it could be even busier/slower than normal. My thought would be to tee off no later than 9.

Either way if you play at Hunters or Centennial I'd be willing to join if you guys need another player. I'll have to check on Centennial as the management company that runs it is the same one as runs the 4 courses that I just became a member of and they may have a reciprocal agreement.

[Indy Golfer]

I'm actually willing to do whatever you guys think is best. Getting up early doesn't bother me as long as I can hit some balls, 8 1/2 hours in the car on Friday will make the back a tad tight (3 slipped discs). If you are looking for a reason to play Centennial, this might be a good opportunity. I'm not familiar with either course, so whichever course you guys like best (challenging, good conditions, layout...) is good with me.

Looking forward to it!

[MrParr1Noid]

All of you Iowan's, how about Finkbine? University of Iowa home course, always in great shape, bent grass fairways, and pretty reasonable price too. Amana, Hunter's Ridge and Finkbine are all good. The Waverly course is alright but somewhat uneventful. Maybe someone can get you on Zach Johnson's home course in Cedar Rapids. The name of that course eludes me, something Maple, Oaks?

 

I haven't ever seen or played that casino course south of Iowa City, can't say how good it is.

 

 

Ask some of the Iowans about Finkbine.

 

p.s. The 13th @ Hunter's Ridge will get your attention, if you're not paying attention...

[greglarson2]

I think Finkbine would be a bit longer drive than he is looking at over an hour plus. Another course I need to plan to play sometime, along with Amana, Riverside, Brown Deere and a bunch of others. Zach's home course is Elmcrest, I don't know anyone there and haven't heard much about it actually though I'm sure it's really nice.

I've only lived on this side of the state for a couple years now and just got back into golf seriously the last year or so. So unfortunately I don't have any experience at any of the other courses mentioned besides Hunters Ridge because I played the CR Open there. I think if Carl is a pass holder he can make tee times an extra week or so early.

Indy is it just you or do you have a couple people going to play?

[MrParr1Noid]

I think Finkbine would be a bit longer drive than he is looking at over an hour plus. Another course I need to plan to play sometime, along with Amana, Riverside, Brown Deere and a bunch of others. Zach's home course is Elmcrest, I don't know anyone there and haven't heard much about it actually though I'm sure it's really nice.

 

I've only lived on this side of the state for a couple years now and just got back into golf seriously the last year or so. So unfortunately I don't have any experience at any of the other courses mentioned besides Hunters Ridge because I played the CR Open there. I think if Carl is a pass holder he can make tee times an extra week or so early.

 

Indy is it just you or do you have a couple people going to play?

 

Yes, and thanks for the info. It isn't so much that I've played the good courses in Iowa but my son has, and I traveled over to Iowa and watched he and his team mates play at many of those good courses in Iowa.

 

I don't remember how far Cedar Rapids is from Waterloo but it didn't seem that far. Other guys mentioned Amana, and I'm thinking that Amana and Iowa City from Waterloo were about the same distance.

 

Of all those courses in Iowa that I've played, and watch guys play, Finkbine was always one of my favorites, I'm a fan of the older style wooded courses. Good golf. What ever or where ever you play in Iowa, you are in for a treat. Iowa is blessed with many good golf courses.

 

p.s. I always liked Hunters Ridge, and my son always did not like it. I think that he got greedy on 13, and it always ate his lunch...

[Indy Golfer]

[quote name='greglarson2' timestamp='1335375866' post='4787950']
Indy is it just you or do you have a couple people going to play?
[/quote]


Carl Smith is setting up the tee time, so I'm not sure who, if anyone, will be joining us. I am traveling with my wife, but she is staying in the Waterloo area while I play golf.