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Cyclone.TV

Cyclone.TV

Well-Known Member
Sep 3, 2016
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kchacker said:
Do they have a clubhouse yet? When I was there last they had a real building, but it was supposed to be temporary - a small pro shop with a small attached restaurant - maybe 8 tables. It was a mile from the range and first tee. Is that still the case or have they put something up near the range?
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Nope. Tiny clubhouse with a big tent-like structure next to it for parties I would assume. Supposedly they put a ton of lots in and they were to build a huge clubhouse but the guy ran out of money and sold it all. You can see the lots and the roads to them but they are all empty. Weird stuff, really.

Some doctors (this is all info from the guy I played with - who is an outrageous story that deserves its own thread almost) bought it up for pennies on the dollar and supposedly have plans for it but are just leaving it be for now.
 
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mywayorcyway

Well-Known Member
Mar 1, 2012
2,330
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Phoenix
Cyclone.TV said:
Nope. Tiny clubhouse with a big tent-like structure next to it for parties I would assume. Supposedly they put a ton of lots in and they were to build a huge clubhouse but the guy ran out of money and sold it all. You can see the lots and the roads to them but they are all empty. Weird stuff, really.

Some doctors (this is all info from the guy I played with - who is an outrageous story that deserves its own thread almost) bought it up for pennies on the dollar and supposedly have plans for it but are just leaving it be for now.
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Would love to hear about your playing partner. That should be a thread of its' own.

The story I've heard is that it was to be the next exclusive club of Phoenix when it was built. Quintero did one better by putting the course up around 2006....and then the market crashed. No bueno.
 
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octaviouspoon

Active Member
Jul 25, 2016
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enisthemenace said:
A buddy of mine and I tried this exact trip last summer. Amana had an outing the day it made sense logistically for us though, so we ended up only playing Spirit Hollow and Blue Top. I have played Amana though, so do have an opinion.

All 3 courses are great, as far as I’m concerned. I would put Blue Top Ridge above the other 2, but not by much. What puts it at the top for me is that it has always been immaculate when I’ve played it. There are also 5-6 sets of tees you can play, and you will get a different course from each set. We played 54 holes one day, and 3 different tees...had a great time.

I think Amanas would be #2, but it’s a course that can vary considerably depending on when you go. It has been mentioned, but it is cut out of a lot of trees. When you play that course, you feel like you are all alone on each hole. It really is great. There are really cool holes too. Now...some of the negatives:

- it is low lying, and does not drain well. If there has been rain in the area, it will be soggy...really soggy in a lot of places
- Mosquitoes can be down right thick there...again, depending on time of year and recent weather
- they sometimes don’t take care of their bunkers like they should. I’ve played it before where you simply couldn’t play out of them without risk of breaking your club or your back
- the greens can be rough, simply because the trees are so thick, some don’t get enough sunlight

Don’t let those “negatives” discourage you though. It really is a great course.

As for Spirit Hollow...I rank it 3rd, but that may be because I’ve only played it a couple of times. There are some really, really cool holes. There are also some though that look like you’re playing Otter Creek (not horrible, but not what i would expect from what is billed the best course in Iowa by some publications).

In short...this would be a great golf road trip. You should do it.
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Good information, thanks! Wouldn’t take any convincing for me. My friends on the other hand.....
 
TheJackWePack5

TheJackWePack5

Well-Known Member
Oct 2, 2011
11,564
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Ankeny, IA.
I have played a lot of the courses in the DSM/Ankeny/Ames area. If I had to make a short list just for this area (public) I would go....

1. Honey Creek - Boone
2. TCI - Polk City
3. Otter Creek - Ankeny
4. Coldwater - Ames

Obviously if you're counting Harvester since it's not too far it's #1.
 
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HardcoreClone

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,208
536
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TheJackWePack5 said:
I have played a lot of the courses in the DSM/Ankeny/Ames area. If I had to make a short list just for this area (public) I would go....

1. Honey Creek - Boone
2. TCI - Polk City
3. Otter Creek - Ankeny
4. Coldwater - Ames

Obviously if you're counting Harvester since it's not too far it's #1.
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My top favorites are similar as far as favorites to play in Central Iowa:
1. Harvester. Only played it once, but really enjoyed it, especially the front 9.
2. TCI. Love this course, never get tired of it.
3. Honey Creek. Quite the variety of holes from 1 thru 18. That stretch from #13-16 is pretty daunting.
4. Otter Creek. Just hope to go there without 30mph winds.
5. Coldwater
6. Waveland. Closest course to my house, I like the old style once in a while.
7. Legacy. Nice course, but for whatever reason it just doesn't suit my eye and I rarely play well there.
8. Veenker
9. Jester Park
10. Beaver Creek. Haven't played there in probably 3 years. Really got tired of it, drains poorly.
11. Bos Landen. Only been there once. Pretty good layout but wasn't impressed. Entire course was soaked, hadn't rained for a few days. They also don't have yardage sticks in the fairways, or books/GPS to help you. Makes it difficult off the tee if you don't know how far the dogleg is.

I also try to avoid Grandview, Blank, Willow Creek, Toad Valley, Terrace Hills, and River Valley really doesn't even deserve a mention.

I'm excited to finally get a round at Wakonda this year. Walked the course many times during Principal Classic. Looks really tough!
 
AgronAlum

AgronAlum

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2014
6,782
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CyForPresident said:
Amana is very nice but incredibly hilly. Besides the tee box, you won’t have a level lye all day, which makes it very hard.

My 2018 wish list
Blue Top Ridge
Hunter's Ridge
Wildcat Golf Course - Shellsburg (only played glow golf on it)
Pin Oak Links - Manchester
Saddleback - Solon
Wellman Golf Course - Sand green course that looks interesting

Anyone ever played a round on a Simulator? I’m gonna try that this winter
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Played Broheims for the first time Saturday. It’s surprisingly accurate for what it is and not terribly expensive. It was 45 bucks an hour per screen, so 15 bucks each for the three of us. I really enjoyed it and it’s nice not having to wait around on the cart girl.
 
TheJackWePack5

TheJackWePack5

Well-Known Member
Oct 2, 2011
11,564
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Ankeny, IA.
HardcoreClone said:
My top favorites are similar as far as favorites to play in Central Iowa:
1. Harvester. Only played it once, but really enjoyed it, especially the front 9.
2. TCI. Love this course, never get tired of it.
3. Honey Creek. Quite the variety of holes from 1 thru 18. That stretch from #13-16 is pretty daunting.
4. Otter Creek. Just hope to go there without 30mph winds.
5. Coldwater
6. Waveland. Closest course to my house, I like the old style once in a while.
7. Legacy. Nice course, but for whatever reason it just doesn't suit my eye and I rarely play well there.
8. Veenker
9. Jester Park
10. Beaver Creek. Haven't played there in probably 3 years. Really got tired of it, drains poorly.
11. Bos Landen. Only been there once. Pretty good layout but wasn't impressed. Entire course was soaked, hadn't rained for a few days. They also don't have yardage sticks in the fairways, or books/GPS to help you. Makes it difficult off the tee if you don't know how far the dogleg is.

I also try to avoid Grandview, Blank, Willow Creek, Toad Valley, Terrace Hills, and River Valley really doesn't even deserve a mention.

I'm excited to finally get a round at Wakonda this year. Walked the course many times during Principal Classic. Looks really tough!
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I like the idea of Veenker, but that course really has my number so I try to avoid it.

I will get to play at DMGCC this year which is pretty exciting as well.

Last year I also played River Valley (I actually didn't mind it, but not having irrigation really hurts them), Terrace Hills (not too bad, great deals), Toad Valley, and Copper Creek (has great potential). Also am a fan of Jester Park.

We also lived very close to Woodland Hills so would go there for the twilight rate if we were short on time (never go here during busy hours unless you want to be in the crossfire on 75% of the holes).
 
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octaviouspoon

Active Member
Jul 25, 2016
262
404
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HardcoreClone said:
I'm never going back to River Valley. Can't think of a worse course in central Iowa.
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It used to be a decent course. The family that took it over does all the course maintenance themselves with no background in it. I don't know if it's about the cost of hiring a course superintendent, or they really think they are doing a good job on their own. Real nice people, just no clue how to run a course.
 
drlove

drlove

Well-Known Member
Mar 20, 2007
2,691
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Favorites I've played
Plantation Course - Kapalua -
Cog Hill - Dubs, chicago
Interlochen - Minneapolis
Hazeltine
Cherry Hills
Broadmoor East - hardest greens to read I've ever played.
Red Sky Ranch

Bucket List
Torrey Pines
all the other obvious ones
 
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