Condition of Central Iowa Golf Courses

scottie33 · 05-19-2008, 09:21 PM

After the harsh winter, have many of you noticed really poor shape of greens in fairways in many of Central Iowa Golf Courses? In the past week I have been golfing at Veenker in Ames, Jester Park Golf Course near Grimes, and Waveland Golf Course in Des Moines. And of the three Waveland had the worst greens by far! I read a couple blogs about the black grass they call it because we had almost 100 straight days with either ice or snow cover on the ground and it killed much of the grass. I remember 7-8 holes on teh front 9 at Waveland that it was almost like putting on beaches, it was so hard to judge your putt/speed. Jester wasn't as in bad of shape, but it had some rough spots in the fairways which I would rather have in the fairways other than the greens. I know they are offering 5 dollars off of their fees for the shape of the course.

Any other people here notice the same thing? I hope they get everything back on track, cause there are some great courses around here when they get fully green! I like to play Jester, as I think it is a great course and is very well maintained with an awesome driving range.

tman24 · 05-19-2008, 09:27 PM

Yea at Pella Country Club we have a few tee boxes completely died off and a few spots in different fairways. Luckily non of the greens got it. However the grounds keeper is a tight wad and hasn't reseeded any of the bad spots. He just keeps watering it thinking that it will just grow back.

1100011CS · 05-19-2008, 09:34 PM

Both courses here had major damage to the fairways and a couple greens. A lot of the fairways are unplayable.

cloneu · 05-19-2008, 09:38 PM

Most of the courses up here in SE Minnesota seem to be decent for early spring.

CloneBack · 05-19-2008, 09:38 PM

The Harvestor and Legacy in Norwalk are in beautiful condition. I think it just depends on where you are playing.

tman24 · 05-19-2008, 09:41 PM

One of my golfing buddies said that if your course didn't get the winter burn then you are very lucky.

Copley305 · 05-19-2008, 10:13 PM

Coldwater in ames is in excellent condition as well

SeattleClone · 05-19-2008, 10:28 PM

I played Woodland Hills on Saturday and it was complete crap.

Chad · 05-19-2008, 10:43 PM

Briarwood is fine, woodland hills is pretty rough looking...Since the south 9 is closed they are taking sod from it and replacing the really bad spots.
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CyorDie · 05-20-2008, 02:56 PM

Anyone had a chance to golf at Grandview on the east side of Des Moines yet? I'm golfing there this weekend and hoping for better greens and fairways than the ones I've seen to date.

jumbopackage · 05-20-2008, 09:44 PM

Actually, the courses that you mentioned are all ones I've heard had some pretty bad winter kill. AH Blank was in pretty good shape last time I played it, and Indianola CC is in great shape. It's very hit and miss.

J-Diggy · 05-20-2008, 10:05 PM

From what I've seen:

Jester - bad
Waveland - bad
Beaver Creek - good
Legacy - good
Des Moines Golf - good

The guy at Beaver said bent grass wasn't affected by the winter kill that the other courses experienced. Judging by the places I've played he is correct. Waveland's greens were particularly bad but I haven't been there for a few weeks.

jdoggivjc · 05-21-2008, 07:54 AM

I know it's not central Iowa, but I played Palmer Hills in Bettendorf this last weekend and it was in pretty good shape. Grass didn't appear dead anywhere. I also hit a few balls at Redhawk in Davenport and it looks like it's in its usual shape (which isn't very good).