2020 Golf Guide

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 |

Golfing Cedar Valley in the

2020 Golf Guide

May 3, 2020

COURIER FILE PHOTO

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| SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020

COVID-19

COVID-19 CHANGING HOW GOLF IS PLAYED

Local pros worked hard to keep golfers safe NICK PETAROS

nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com

WATERLOO — Waterloo golf professionals Nate Lubs and Monte Meyer took pride in being able to offer a safe environment outdoors while protecting against the spread of COVID-19.

Signs at city courses instructed golfers through the early half of April to stay 10 feet apart, don’t touch the flags and ride one person to a golf cart. Bathrooms were closed and drinking fountains turned off.

Staff diligently sanitized and disinfected

carts after each use. Foam pool noodles were placed in the cups so players didn’t have to reach into a hole to retrieve a ball.

“We want people to be able to come out here and be safe,” Meyer said, during an interview in early April. “It’s marvelous that the people are respecting the rules and they’re taking it serious.”

“It’s good for people to get out,” Lubs added back then. “It’s good for physical health, mental health.

I think with the precautions — the way we’ve done the carts especially helps.

“Once players are on the golf course, they’re really not

that close to each other. You’re out on 100-plus acres of land.”

Despite best intentions, Waterloo’s city courses were shut down on Thursday, April 16.

Waterloo Leisure Services director Paul Huting said the decision was similar to actions taken by the communities of Cedar Rapids and Waverly within Iowa’s Region 6 after an assessment level of 10 was reached on a the Iowa Department of Health’s COVID-19 severity scale that goes up to 12. Golf returned to the city courses 10 days

later after the Region 6 assessment level was downgraded to 9.

The privately-run Red Carpet Golf Course in Waterloo remains open to its members and the general public. Waterloo’s private Sunnyside Golf Course is also still open with only members of the same household allowed to play together and other precautions in place to promote social distancing.

Cedar Falls’ public and private golf course remain open, as well.

Waterloo’s neighboring community has opted for the direct

Please see COVID 19, Page T15

JEFF REINITZ, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Golf carts are lined up on a vacant course at South Hills after Waterloo’s public courses were closed by leisure services.

Sunday, May 3, 2020 | 3

EMERALD ASH BORER

Ash tree removal begins at Pheasant Course workers have removed more than 150 trees already NICK PETAROS

nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com‌

‌When walking South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo, few visual remnants remain of the more than 300 ash trees that were removed prior to last season due to the spread of emerald ash borer.

Stump holes are filled, smoothed out with black dirt and seeded.

“The course plays a little more open,” South Hills golf professional Monte Meyer said. “I think quite honestly people love it.”

Prior to reaching South Hills, emerald ash borer infestation necessitated the removal of 166 ash trees at Irv Warren in the winter of 2017 with 118 new trees replanted. A total of 153 ash trees were removed from Gates Park in 2015 with 68 new trees replanted the following spring.

While the three city courses in Waterloo have been reshaped, Pheasant Ridge in Cedar Falls is now undergoing a similar removal process. The city has taken out nearly 150 of the course’s 381 ash trees in what has become a lengthy project.

“By the time you grind the stumps down and replant the trees we’re talking three or four years probably,” Pheasant Ridge golf pro John Bermel said.

In addition to changing the aesthetic look of courses throughout the Midwest, projects like those currently underway at Pheasant Ridge can present safety issues that are more important than any play ability concerns.

“There were trees in between holes that were guarding tee boxes and greens,” Bermel said. “That’s the big concern.

“We’re going to have to grow some longer grasses and try to make up for some of COURIER FILE PHOTO‌ it that way. It’s just different approaches that we’re going to have to take to improve More than 300 ash trees will be removed at Pheasant Ridge as the result of the on all of it.” emerald ash borer.

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4 | Sunday, May 3, 2020

GOLF COURSE REVIEW: IRV WARREN

Walk the same fairways as the pros Irv Warren has long and storied tradition CRAIG SESKER

Sports Correspondent‌

‌WATERLOO—The last time I was at Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course, I witnessed some of the best golf I’ve ever seen in person.

I covered Chandler Blanchet’s brilliant record-setting performance at the 2019 Waterloo Open.

Blanchet’s scorecard was filled with birdies and eagles as he turned in a phenomenal display of golf in the final round.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, I had an opportunity to check out the Irv Warren course firsthand. And received a painful reminder that those pro golfers

make the game look much easier than it really is.

Irv Warren was definitely an interesting and intriguing place to tee it up for the first time this season. It also was a rare, muchneeded opportunity to be outside during the coronavirus pandemic when play was allowed on the city courses.

Built in 1908, it’s a course with a long and storied tradition and is a fixture in the Cedar Valley.

And here is a sampling of what I discovered while playing 18 holes on a beautiful sunsplashed 61-degree day with virtually no wind.

Irv Warren is an enjoyable, unique and scenic course. I love the adjacent 1st and 10th tees that run straight out and away from the clubhouse. It’s specta-

tor friendly during an event like the Waterloo Open where fans can watch elite-level players drive the ball on No. 1 and No. 10.

And both holes provide players with a legitimate opportunity to start a round strong.

It’s a fair, demanding and challenging layout. And it’s an excellent public course that can cater to various skill levels.

As I witnessed last year, aggressive, high-caliber play can result in very low scores with the big hitters in the professional ranks.

But even players much less skilled can excel at Irv Warren.

And pursue their own goals and try to achieve a personal best score.

As we celebrate our 55th anniversary, we would like to thank the Cedar Valley for your continued support over the years.

We will get through this together.

BRANDON POLLOCK, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER‌

Chris Black sends a shot toward the first hole during the pro division of Please see IRV WARREN, Page T13 the 2017 Waterloo Open at Irv Warren Golf Course.

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SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 |

GOLF COURSE REVIEW: GATES PARK

Golfers can go big at Gates Park At 7,000 yards from blues, Gates can play long CRAIG SESKER

Sports Correspondent

Jared Rowe tees off on the 16th hole at majestic Gates Park Golf Course during the 2015 Waterloo Open.

COURIER FILE PHOTO

WATERLOO – Gates Park Golf Course is a big hitter’s paradise.

It’s the longest of the three municipal courses in Waterloo and it’s also an awesome place to play.

A friend of mine that is a Waterloo native and NCAA champion wrestler highly recommended this course and told me I would enjoy it. He was right.

I was really looking forward to playing this course and it certainly delivered. I chose an early morning tee time on a day with temperatures forecast to reach the 70s for the first time this year.

I teed off just after 8 a.m. on a spring Tuesday weeks prior to the course being shut down due to COVID19’s spread.

When I stopped to hit my second shot, it sounded like a golf course symphony on the No. 1 fairway. Birds were chirping, geese were honking, frogs were croaking and trains were whistling.

Not much peace and tranquility, even during an early morning round of golf. But I didn’t mind.

Even with the warm weather forecast, I started the round in foggy, damp and cooler conditions with temperatures in the low 50s. Thankfully, there was virtually no wind, so it actually wasn’t too bad out.

Gates Park is a lengthy course that measures nearly 7,000 total yards from the blue tees, but it’s also a very fair 18-hole layout.

It has spacious fairways where you can pull out a driver on numerous holes and let it rip. Even if you don’t drive everything down the middle, there are large enough areas to recover from a wayward tee shot.

Built in 1928, Gates Park is a venerable course with its share of charm and unique qualities. You definitely have to hit the ball a long way on this course to be successful. But consistent ball striking can lead to low scores as well.

I had a good early opportunity on the 130-yard fourth hole in my round. I hit a solid 7-iron that landed just to the right of the green. I followed

TIM JAMISON, TIM.JAMISON@WCFCOURIER.COM

Gates Park Golf Course with a decent chip to within six feet, but just missed my par putt before tapping in.

One hole that defines Gates Park is the fifth hole, a 422-yard par-4 from the yellow tees.

It’s considered the toughest hole on the course.

I connected off the tee with my driver on No. 5 and then followed by cleanly striking my hybrid/ rescue club. I was sitting two just in front of the green. I became greedy and tried to hole my chip for birdie, but the shot drifted 15 feet past the hole. My par putt was right on line before stopping a foot short of the cup.

The finishing hole on the front nine is one of my favorites. The par-4 ninth has two water hazards you have to navigate as you move back uphill toward the clubhouse.

It’s still early in the spring, but the golf course is in excellent shape and the greens are in really good condition as well. There was virtually no wind the entire round at Gates Park and that definitely was a plus for me.

I rolled up to No. 12 and I liked what I saw. It’s a neat hole with a pond located to the front left of the green. The green on 12 is very wide, giving you the option of taking the safer route if you don’t want to hit straight over the water.

Naturally, I chickened out on 12 even though I had been hitting my irons well off the tee. I aimed for the right side of the green and my ball did find the green. Barely. Unfortunately, I was still about Please see GATES PARK, Page T11

5

6 | Sunday, May 3, 2020

GOLF COURSE REVIEW: PHEASANT RIDGE

Pheasant Ridge has some bite Course can look inviting, but provides a ton of challenging shots CRAIG SESKER

Sports Correspondent‌

‌CEDAR FALLS – Looks can be deceiving.

And that was definitely the case when I started my round at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course.

Teeing off recently on a late Friday morning, the sun was shining on what looked like a gorgeous day to be outdoors.

But it felt more like Kinnick Stadium on a football Saturday in November.

Trying to finish my tour of local courses, and with nasty weather in the forecast, it was a not-so-balmy 42 degrees when I rolled into the parking lot at Pheasant Ridge.

The good news was that I was playing golf in early April. It was chilly, but there was very little wind. And I also had the good fortune to be playing at an excellent course.

This was the first time I’ve played Pheasant Ridge and I came away impressed.

I really like this golf course – it’s in superb condition. Everything is plush and green.

The fairways are in excellent shape with greens that are super smooth and rolling well.

No doubt, it’s a first-rate, 18hole public golf course.

There aren’t many short holes at Pheasant Ridge. Even the par-3 holes are fairly long.

I started my round on the back nine and basically had that part of the course to myself. There was nobody in front of me. I zipped around my first nine holes in just over an hour while using a riding cart.

I am a big fan of the first par-3 hole that I played. It was the challenging 193-yard, 12th

COURIER FILE PHOTO

A pair of golfers head down the fairway at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course. hole and features a scenic view.

It has two bunkers right in front of the green, situated on the left and right sides. And I was able to avoid both of them.

I wasted a golden opportunity on No. 13, a 360-yard hole.

I hammered my drive down the left side before the ball hit the fairway and then skipped into the first cut of rough. I followed with a 7-iron that stopped 25 yards short of the hole. I then lofted a nice chip that settled about eight feet past the green.

But I was unable to convert the par putt, just missing to the right.

Pars are good scores for me.

A higher-level player obviously would be targeting birdies, and even eagles, on many of these holes.

Pheasant Ridge is another challenging but very fair course.

Solid and consistent play can yield low scores on a course like this – even for an average player like me. The elite golfers can play aggressively on virtu-

ally every hole.

This is another spacious and wide-open public course. You can definitely blast away off the tee and let it rip here. And even if you miss the fairway, there are plenty of areas where you can recover from. If you don’t go big, or at least try to, you may struggle on a lot of holes.

Hole No. 14 is considered the second most difficult on the course and I won’t argue with that rating. It’s super long and challenging, measuring well

over 500 yards.

But it’s also an inviting golf hole with a massive fairway.

I ripped a solid tee shot with my driver before relying on my trusty rescue club on my next two shots. I chipped on in 4 and stood over a 12-foot putt for par.

The downhill putt broke slightly to the left and actually went in.

That was a hard-earned par on a tough par-5 hole.

As someone in the Champions Please see PHEASANT RIDGE, Page T14

Sunday, May 3, 2020 | 7

LEARNING FROM HOME

Staying sharp around the house Many ways to improve golf game without going to the course NICK PETAROS

nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com‌

‌CEDAR FALLS — Against a backdrop of a new era when people are spending as much time at home as ever, golf professionals have been working on ways to add virtual components to their lessons.

Technology is becoming an important instrument for instructors.

“I can get swings downloaded on my app,” said Pheasant Ridge golf pro John Bermel, who plans to get virtual lessons setup on his website. “Then I can voice overwrite it and talk to them and let

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO‌

Golfers spending extra time at home don’t need a lot of resources to work on their swings. them know what I think of each position and what they need to do so it’s in a better position.”

Bermel points out that it doesn’t take a lot equipment to work on your swing around the house.

“We’ve got some great drills where they can get up against a wall and take a practice backswing where they try not to hit the wall with a club, but they can get their hand up against the wall in the top of their back-

swing,” Bermel said. “When you talk about it, it sounds easy, but when you try to do it, it’s really difficult.”

The edge of a wall can also be used as a guide that helps golfers work on bringing the club down and trying to keep it square at impact.

“Even a mirror so they can see themselves and see where they’re at in each one of the positions is really, really helpful too,” Bermel points out.

Websites such as YouTube give golfers an unlimited library of instructional videos that can be found for drills to complete around the house. Most have enough space in their back yards to practice chips and develop a feel around the green.

“If you’re stuck at home you can find some videos of people

practicing in their backyards, whether they’re hitting short pitch shots or chip shots,” Gates Park golf pro Nate Lubs said.

“Even some of the tour pros, you’ll see them putting in their basements or things like that. I think that’s always an opportunity for people.”

Among the backyard instructional aides are plastic practice balls known as the “Birdie ball” that reveal a slice or hook like a normal golf ball with limited range.

Indoor putting carpets mark another way golfers can pass time and still enhance their skill.

“I think for short putts, it’s good,” Lubs said. “If you’re putting something five feet or less it’s a good way to build your putting stroke from a shorter distance.”

Miura Clubs, PXG, Krank Drivers & MORE

8 | Sunday, May 3, 2020

GOLF COURSE REVIEW: SOUTH HILLS

South Hills is a modern gem Waterloo’s youngest course provides quality golf experience CRAIG SESKER

Sports Correspondent‌

A Waterloo Open flag waves in the wind at South Hills Golf Course during the annual amateur golf tournament.

COURIER FILE PHOTO‌

‌WATERLOO – South Hills Golf Course is a gem.

The newest of the three municipal courses in Waterloo, South Hills is definitely worth your while to check out.

Built in 1974, it’s another course that offers its share of challenges and opportunities for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

It also encourages some risk-taking that can result in huge rewards when aggressive play pays off.

I played South Hills for the first time on an early spring Tuesday with a tee time just before noon. And it’s a magnificent looking course that was in phenomenal shape for this early in the season.

Being able to leave the house for a few hours and play golf is something I know I definitely enjoyed.

My round started with a scenic, straightforward look down the 331-yard, No. 1 fairway. I love the way this hole looks as it runs down and away from the clubhouse. Unfortunately, my first tee shot wasn’t straight.

My initial shot from the yellow tees missed the fairway to the left, but I scrambled for a

COURIER FILE PHOTO‌

Brian Wingert hits the ball to the 17th green in the amateur division of the 2018 Waterloo Open at South Hills Golf Course. bogey. This was the beginning of the best four-hole stretch of golf I’ve played in quite a while.

On the second hole – a 315yard par-4 – I crushed a drive with a hybrid/rescue club and then hit the rescue club again from the fairway. My second shot landed on the green before stopping eight feet to the right of the flag stick.

I was on the dance floor in 2 and putting for birdie. I stood over the putt, tried not to overthink the shot and then

rolled the ball toward the cup. I drained the 8-footer for birdie.

It only took three rounds of golf at three different courses, but I finally birdied a hole. The feeling when the ball goes in the cup is amazing. And it obviously keeps you coming back for more.

Needless to say, I did not birdie the third hole. It’s considered the most difficult hole on the course. It’s a monster hole that is over 500 yards. I pulled out my driver and found the center of the fairway, but I still felt like I was a mile away from the green. I followed with solid second and third shots, but I still wasn’t on the green.

I’m not a professional by any means, but it takes a long drive and some big hits to reach No. 3 in regulation. I chipped on in four and missed my par putt.

When I teed off, it was still overcast with a light wind and temperatures in the low 60s.

But on the fourth hole the sun finally broke through and set the stage for an amazing day on the golf course.

Shortly after the sun came out, I made a nice par on the 156-yard fourth hole. I hit a solid 7-iron off the tee and the Please see SOUTH HILLS, Page T12

Sunday, May 3, 2020 | 9

GOLF COURSE REVIEW: FOX RIDGE

Continuing to enhance golfer experience With age, Fox Ridge continuing to get better and better CRAIG SESKER

Sports Correspondent‌

‌DIKE – Fox Ridge Golf Club is one of the premier public courses in northeast Iowa.

And it keeps getting better.

The popular 18-hole course, located just west of Cedar Falls, is making more changes that will enhance the golf experience there even further.

The biggest change at Fox Ridge is the addition of a TrackMan Golf Simulator that opened in February. It’s located downstairs in the clubhouse.

It allows golfers to work on their games and play in an in-

A recent picture of the Fox Ridge Golf Course clubhouse in Dike. door setting.

“It basically allows you to play golf year-round,” said Jay Davis, the head golf professional at

Fox Ridge. “It will tell you your clubhead speed and ball speed.

It will show players how far they are hitting a club and how far

Golfers had an opportunity to use the simulator for a few weeks before it was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The people that had a chance to use the simulator really liked it,” Davis said. “It’s a great program. It will also be great for fitting clubs and just for allowing you to be able to continue to play golf. You can also set it up where you can play some of the top golf courses like St. Andrews and Bellerive.”

Fox Ridge also is in the process of building short-game greens on the outdoor driving range.

BRANDON POLLOCK‌ “We are putting bunkers in where people can practice their short game,” Davis said. “We they are carrying a club. It gives hope to have those up and rungolfers a chance to work on their ning sometime this summer. It’s game during the winter and on a rainy day. Or when it’s dark.”

Please see FOX RIDGE, Page T14

2020 Tournament Schedule Public TournamenTs

member only TournamenTs

7-12 our 4 person scramble

7-4 July 4th Members Tournament

7- 26 The Fox Ridge OpenA handicapped stroke play tournament

8-22 & 23 Club Championship Men’s & Women’s & Senior Flighted

8-16 Superintendents revenge 4 person scramble 9-27 Ryder Cup 10-4 4 person scramble 10-18 8" cup 4 person scramble "Chili Open"

9-7 Labor Day Members Tournament. *All Tournaments will start at 9am (Weather dependent or if covid 19 guidelines are lifted.)

Members: $25 Non-Members: $55 Optional Skins Game: $20/team

couPles TwilighT golfs friday evenings shoTgun sTarT aT 5:30Pm 7-3 9 hole Couples Scramble 7-31 9 hole Couples Modified Alternate Shot 8-14 9 hole Couples Scramble 8-28 9 holes Couples Modified Alternate Shot We still have openings for events.

Call to book yours today at 319-989-2213 and ask for Chef Jen.

Our full service restaurant is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. Join us for a delicious lunch or dinner, you will not be disappointed.

Call Fox Ridge to sign up anytime at 319-989-2213 • www.golffoxridge.com

10 | Sunday, May 3, 2020

The range remains open Business is down, but Schuchmann’s outlook is positive JIM NELSON

Jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com‌

‌WATERLOO – The farmer inside Mike Schuchmann comes out this time of year.

Growing up in Strawberry Point, Schuchmann, the owner of Waterloo’s Golf Headquarters, worked on a daily basis on his grandfather’s farm. Schuchmann had a first-hand account of the rewards of hard labor his grandfather received in the fall during the harvest season.

March, April, May and June is Schuchmann’s harvest season at Golf Headquarters. And with early warm temperatures in late February and early March, harvest season was going good.

Then ,like all his fellow business brethren, COVID-19 hit the world.

“We were on pace to have a record year if things stayed on course,” Schuchmann said.

But as social-distancing measures were implemented by Governor Kim Reynolds, business came to a crashing halt.

“Around March 14th things got a little more cautious and more things came out where places were closing down,” Schuchmann said. “From there to right now, we are truly down $180,000 in sales. What that equals to is we are doing about 10 percent of what we would be normally doing.

“I’m like a farmer. It is like crops. You plant them and wait to harvest them. In between there is a lot of downtime. So, our winter months are down and not much is going on and really March, April, May and June feeds our entire year. It is a little

scary and unsettling with what is going on.”

Schuchmann isn’t asking for a pity party, either. He feels for all the other small business owners in the Cedar Valley who are suffering financially, too.

In some ways, he feels lucky.

The early rush in February that extended into March has helped him get through the past month.

“Everybody is in the same boat and I all hope we can get to the shore sooner rather than later,” Schuchmann said. “I’ve been able to keep the three full-time salaried guys employed. There are a few college kids that we’d bring on full-time in the second or third week of May when they were done with school that I haven’t brought on.

“None of us are working 40 hours, but we have got some things done. We’ve cleaned more times than we probably need.

And with our extra down time we have found a few better business practices that is going to save us money in the future.

“We had two choices. It was to stay bitter or get better and truly that is what we are trying to do is get better.”

The range is still open at Golf Headquarters’ West Ridgeway Avenue location.

The staff has set up a cash register at the side entrance of the business, and are allowing one person at a time inside to pay for range balls with social-distancing policies installed on the range. Golfers who have equipment needs can also call the store.

“We are very thankful having the driving range out back because it has kept us open to an extent,” Schuchmann said. “We can’t bring a guy or gal in and do a fitting like we could a month BRANDON POLLOCK, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Please see HEADQUARTERS, Page T12

Mike Schuchmann is pictured at his Waterloo Golf Headquarters location on Ridgeway Avenue in Waterloo.

Sunday, May 3, 2020 | 11

Gates Park From T5

50 feet from the hole.

As you can see, holes with water hazards typically freak me out a little bit. They’re cool to look at, but not quite as much fun to play.

After my safe, low-risk shot on 12, I three-putted for bogey from 50 feet away. It’s probably what I deserved after choosing the safe play off the tee.

After taking a bogey, I drove over to the No. 13 tee box and took in the view. It’s a scenic area with water right in front of you. Luckily, I was able to hit my drive over the small pond and catch part of the fairway.

Holes No. 6 and 15 are pair of grizzly bears at Gates Park. They are monster par-5s in excess of 500 yards apiece. Better eat your Wheaties before you tee off on those two holes.

With my early tee time, I was able to make my way around Gates Park in less than three hours on a Tuesday morning. That’s perfect for me.

Nobody likes to sit around and wait

during a long round of golf.

There weren’t many magical moments during my round, but it was still awesome to be allowed to play golf during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Golfers were careful to maintain a safe social distance from each other.

It was nice to be outside and have an opportunity to gain some muchneeded exercise on the golf course.

I did have a decent finish on the second-to-last hole I played at Gates Park. I connected with a 5-iron off the tee that landed on the fringe just in front of the green. My chip on 17 scooted just past the hole, but I recovered to make a six-footer coming back for par.

The Gates Park experience was a fun one – it was more than worthwhile. Cost for my round on a Tuesday morning was $25 and that included greens fees and a riding cart.

That’s a heck of a deal.

I’m nowhere near a high-level golfer, but even someone like me who shoots in the high 80s and low 90s can still have an enjoyable experiCOURIER FILE PHOTO‌ ence at a golf course like Gates Park.

It’s a course I would highly recom- Mike Schuchmann tees off on the 15th green at Gates Park golf course in the amateur division of the 2015 Waterloo Open. mend to anyone.

GATES PARK

8 2 0 E a s t D o n a l d S t re e t (319) 291-4485

I RV W A R R E N M E M O R I A L 1000 Fletcher Avenue (319) 234-9271

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1 8 3 0 E a s t Sh a u l i s R d (319) 291-4268

12 | Sunday, May 3, 2020

COURIER FILE PHOTO‌

Andrew Schoof hits the ball to the 17th green in the amateur division of the 2018 Waterloo Open at South Hills Golf Course.

South Hills From T8

ball bounced before rolling just onto the front of the green. I followed with a 20-foot putt that stopped just a foot to the left of the hole.

I went bogey, birdie, bogey, par on my first four holes, making me just 1-over par at that point. Not bad for an old hacker. I should’ve just quit then and gone home.

Headquarters From T10

ago because you need to be close in proximity to do that. But if golfer needs a wedge we can talk them through the bounce

But I couldn’t do that. I was playing well and I had to see how long my hot streak would continue.

My early momentum vanished quickly over the next few holes before I came upon No. 8. The 184-yard hole is a long par-3, but it is an intriguing hole. I hit a solid 5-iron off the tee, but I needed more club or someone stronger to swing it. A chip and two putts later resulted in a bogey.

The second-most difficult hole at South Hills is No. 13 and I found out first-hand. The 524yard, par-5 is another behemoth that most golfers need at least four shots to reach. Good luck trying to make birdie or even par on this one.

These longer holes are a bit challenging for me. But it’s still kind of fun to see how you can do on these tough holes.

As you’ve probably discovered, I love the par-3 holes and No. 16

at South Hills might be my favorite. It features an elevated tee box while the green is framed with pine trees down both sides and behind it. It’s a gorgeous golf hole.

I would’ve liked 16 even better, but my par putt from 10 feet caught the edge of the cup and trickled a few feet past it.

Playing by myself with a riding cart, I covered 18 holes in just over two and a half hours. A round that quick is rare, but I’ll

take it.

With a discount Tuesday, my round of golf with greens fees and a cart only cost me $25. You can’t beat that.

It turned into an absolutely perfect day. Temperatures soared into the mid-70s with almost no wind. The sun was shining with blue skies overhead.

The excellent conditions, combined with a top-quality golf experience like South Hills, certainly made it a day to remember.

of each wedge and meet their needs.

“It’s really and hour-by-hour, day-by-day thing and everyday is a little different and we’re just trying to do the best we can with what we have to work with.”

A big target date for Golf

Headquarters is the May 15-17 weekend, where Schuchmann hopes to have some major companies come through for Demo Days.

Taylor Made has informed him they hope to be there on May 15.

Schuchmann says Demo Days will probably not look like those in the past where there were several major vendors in at the same time.

“It could be Callaway from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Taylor Made from 1 to 4 p.m., and Mizuno

from 4-7 p.m. on one day,” Schuchmann said. “All those companies have different guidelines with the social distancing.

“We don’t know. We’re going to be ready so we can move forward in a safe manner when that time comes.”

Sunday, May 3, 2020 | 13

Irv Warren From T4

The spacious fairways are receptive and forgiving – they encourage players of all levels to blast away from the tees.

Even in early April, the course at Irv Warren is green, plush and in superb condition. And the greens are in excellent shape.

The course is well-maintained and looks great.

There are so many gorgeous tree-lined fairways with breathtaking views on this course.

I love the back-to-back par 3s on the final two holes of the front nine (they serve as the 17th and 18th holes during the Waterloo Open).

No. 8 is one of the tougher holes on the entire course with a challenging green that is tricky to read. It definitely is not easy to putt on.

No. 9 is one of my favorite holes with a pond glistening between the tee box and the green.

It offers a splendid view from the

COURIER FILE PHOTO‌

Austin Quick hits a ball out of the sand on the 16th hole during the 2017 Waterloo Open golf tournament at Irv Warren Golf Course.. tee box with the clubhouse up the hill and just off in the distance.

Even an older guy like me can occasionally have his moments on a golf course like Irv Warren.

I played the back nine first on a busy Sunday at Irv Warren and had my share of struggles while slicing a shot into the trees and dumping one ball in the water.

Fortunately, I was able to have a little more success while playing the front nine to end my round.

The highlight of my round came on the 447-yard, par-5 fifth hole. I powered a drive down the middle of the fairway, drilled a 3-iron down the left-hand side and then came up just short of the green with a pitching wedge.

From the fringe, I putted from 45 feet away and rolled the ball just past the hole. I narrowly missed draining it for birdie as it caught the edge of the hole and trickled past it. I was able to sink the four-foot downhill putt coming back for par.

Unfortunately, that was the longest putt I made all day. My iron game was strong – my short game wasn’t. Every golfer can relate to how difficult it is to have all phases of your game clicking in the same round.

I actually achieved my modest goal of breaking 50 by shooting a 44 on the front nine. An improved short game could definitely knock a few strokes off that score.

That’s the beauty of golf. Those shining moments are what keep you coming back for more. And every golfer has their own set of realistic goals they can pursue during a round.

I finished my day at Irv Warren on a high note on the par-3 ninth hole. I hit a crisp 5-iron off the tee that had the distance but not the accuracy. My ball landed

even with the flag but just to the right of the green. It was my last chance for a birdie and my chip shot nearly went in. I settled for a tap-in par and called it a day.

The course was packed on that weekend afternoon, but I was still able to play 18 holes in just over three hours while using a riding cart.

No matter your preference – whether it’s 9 or 18 holes – spending part of your day at Irv Warren is more than worthwhile.

It was an awesome afternoon of golf. Sure, it was filled with its share of frustrating moments.

But nothing worthwhile in the game ever comes easy.

There is a reason why the Waterloo Open champions are crowned at Irv Warren. It’s a topnotch golf course that will test the mettle of players from every skill level.

Waterloo is blessed with affordable, accessible and quality public golf courses.

And Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course certainly contributes heavily to that.

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14 | Sunday, May 3, 2020

Pheasant Ridge From T6

Tour age bracket, I don’t walk much anymore when I golf. That was a good thing on this day because I love these riding carts at Pheasant Ridge. Not that it really helps my game, but it’s awesome to have a screen on the carts that provide you with the distance to the hole.

When I reached 16, four nice gentlemen bundled up in winter coats and stocking hats let me play through. They probably laughed when I choked down and hit my rescue club off the tee on a par-3 hole. But it actually worked.

From 180 yards away, my tee ball landed on the green and came to rest eight feet to the right of the cup. Determined not to leave my birdie putt short, I still left it a foot short. I tapped in for par.

I moved to the front nine to complete my round and it’s another impressive collection of golf holes.

My last opportunity for glory came on the par-4, No. 7 hole. I crushed my driver and followed by hitting a sweet 8-iron that stopped just eight feet to the left of the flag.

I struck my putt, and as the ball slowly rolled toward the cup, I remembered the words of my father: “Don’t leave a birdie putt

Fox Ridge From T9

going to be a really neat feature. There’s not a lot of area where you can practice those types of shots now. We have a big putting green where you can practice some chipping, but you can’t practice out of sand or practice longer chip shots. The short-game greens will provide that once they are completed.”

Another welcome addition at Fox Ridge are new riding carts.

“We’ve got brand-new golf carts with a GPS in them,” Davis said. “You can see how far you are from the green and various parts of the green. It makes a

COURIER FILE PHOTO

Cedar Falls’ Max Tjoa tees off during the metro boys’ golf tournament at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls last fall. short.” The ball stopped rolling just six inches short of going in.

Sorry, Dad. You would think I would learn by now.

No. 9 is a cool finishing hole. It’s a straight shot up the hill with pine trees lining the area just beyond the green. It’s a reachable par-4

hole you can attack aggressively and make birdie on.

The temperature was 48 degrees when I tapped in on my last hole. But the sun was still out, and as a fellow player reminded me, any day on the golf course is a good day.

It’s awesome to be able to enjoy an activity like golf right now with courses staying open during the COVID-19 pandemic. And refreshing to see everyone following safety guidelines to make it possible.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day at

Pheasant Ridge. It’s a top-quality golf course that provides players of all skill levels plenty of opportunities to shoot good scores.

It’s another course that I highly recommend. I know I will definitely be back – when it’s a little warmer.

big difference for the players.

It also should help with pace of play. You don’t have to walk around and figure out the distance to the green.”

Even with some wild, crazy and nasty weather this spring, Fox Ridge is already rounding into form.

“The course is in great shape,” Davis said. “It held up really well after the winter. It got green really quickly. We are in great shape to have a really good year.”

Davis became the head pro at Fox Ridge on March 1 after previously working at Bos Landen Golf Club in Pella.

Davis is a native of Mount Vernon. He played varsity golf

in high school before playing collegiately for Mount Mercy.

“Bos Landen is considered one of the top places to play in the state of Iowa,” he said. “I was familiar with Fox Ridge and I knew it’s another great golf course – I was impressed with it. It was a good time for me to jump in and try something different. I really like the course here and the potential it has.”

Davis initially wanted to be an elementary school teacher, but that changed after he worked part-time at a golf course in college.

“I love the game and I love teaching,” he said. “I’m passionate about what I do and I enjoy helping people improve

their golf games.”

Davis became familiar with Fox Ridge after his parents spent time living in Cedar Falls.

The front nine holes at Fox Ridge were built in 1998 along with the 11,000-square foot clubhouse. The back nine holes opened for play in 2001.

Fox Ridge is another course with its share of long and challenging holes. It measures over 6,800 yards. It also provides a golf experience for all skill levels with four sets of tees to choose from.

“It’s a great golf course,” Davis said. “It’s almost a links style golf course. The trees haven’t grown up yet. There are great holes out here. It’s a

fun combination of holes and layout. It has a great change of pace to it. All-around, it’s a really good track and a great place to play with your friends.”

Davis said total cost to play 18 holes at Fox Ridge with a riding cart is less than $40 on Monday through Friday with weekend rates slightly over that price.

It also features a spacious clubhouse.

“We have a great restaurant with an excellent bar atmosphere,” he said. “We’re also putting in a bar and a lounge downstairs, along with a couple of pool tables, to go with the simulator. It’s going to be a great place for people to hang out.”

Sunday, May 3, 2020 | 15

COVID 19 From T2

interpretation of Governor Kim Reynolds’ additional restrictions. Gatherings of any size are now limited to individuals who reside in the same household.

Cedar Falls public course Pheasant Ridge’s new set of golf rules limit one person to a tee box at a time and all players must stay 10 feet away from one another.

Only one golfer is allowed on a green at a time, and must go to the next tee and tee off after putting out.

At the end of the updated rules sheet is the message, “This is mandated and if you cannot go by the rules, you will be asked to leave.”

“I think everybody has been pretty receptive to everything just because everybody feels like they’re confined in their houses,” Pheasant Ridge golf professional John Bermel said. “They are trying to find ways that they can get out of the house and be in a safe environment. That’s the important part.

“I’d love to have people golfing and I want them to be safe. I don’t know when this thing is ever going to end, but the safety is number one.”

Bermel has noticed newcomers making their way onto the course as a recreational outlet during this period of time when it can be difficult to remain active.

The course remains busy when weather cooperates.

“I think we’re getting a lot more people trying golf now,” Bermel said. “The juniors are all getting season passes and playing because they don’t have to be in school. They want to play and they’re wanting to do stuff.”

Meyer noted play at Waterloo’s golf courses had been up on nice days prior to closure. Golfers were driving from as far away as Minnesota to Waterloo on weekends for a chance to get outdoors.

Despite consistent play, the courses that are still offering golf will likely face a financial crunch this summer. Major golf outings and tournaments have been pushed back into the months of August and September.

Non-profit organizations that often use golf outings as fundraisers will certainly be hit hard, as well.

“They’re getting hurt in all their outings or gatherings,” Lubs said. “A lot of times JEFF REINITZ, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER‌ a golf outing is one piece of their fundraising, but it’s a big piece too. You make A sign in front of the South Hills pro shop notified golfers that the course is now closed can anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000.” after this region reached level 10 on the Iowa Department of Public Health scale.

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16 | Sunday, May 3, 2020

COLUMN

These golf reads find the fairway ‌I

was a lousy college golfer and that even stretches the truth.

In 1988 and 1989, I was a member of the Kirkwood Community College men’s golf team and that is a truth stretcher, too.

I was the Willie Mays Hayes of junior college golf and that is the truth.

As my memory serves me, I read an article or saw a billboard signup sheet inside Johnson Hall about joining the team. The jewel of joining is you got a three-month pass to play at Ellis Park. For a poor college student, that was a great deal.

So, I wasn’t even a preferred walk-on or invited walk-on, or in no way a JIM scholarship athlete. I just NELSON showed up like Willie Mays Hayes.

And in golf terms, I had some skills like the character from the movie Major League. I could mash it with the best of them with my Wood Wilson 1 driver, and you read that right, my wood driver.

The problem was I sliced it like Judge Smails, had a short game like Happy Gilmore and needed more therapy for the mental part of the game than Roy McAvoy.

In my two-year career I played in one unofficial “JV” meet against golfers from Mount Mercy College and Coe College. I didn’t write back home to mom and dad after the round. It wasn’t my finest day.

While my golf career didn’t take off, those two years did spark a love for the sport that continues today.

I still play poorly, but I read like a ‘Major’ golf champion and that is really what this column is about.

With some golf courses closed in the area as part of COVID-19 measures, there is another way avid golfers can get their golf fix.

There are many great golf reads and here are some of my favorites:

1. THE MATCH: The Day The Game of Golf Changed Forever (Mark Frost) This is one of two golf books by Mark Frost that reside in my personal library.

There is a third, Game Six, but that is about the 1975 World Series, and while an

BRANDON POLLOCK, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER‌

Any one of these books will keep an avid golfer captivated for hours. awesome read, is not a golf book.

In this book, Frost details the true story of millionaires Eddie Lowery and George Coleman and their 1956 bet that pitted golfing greats Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson against a pair of amateur golfers Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi.

2. The Greatest Game Ever Played (Mark Frost) Frost delivers another well researched, detailed story. The subject for this book is the 1913 U.S. Open where Francis Ouimet became the first amateur to win with 10-year old Eddie Lowery serving as his caddie. The victory came on the very course, the Country Club in Brookline, that Ouimet served as caddie during his youth. Quimet outdueled two of the best professionals of that time, Harry Vardon

and Ted Ray.

3. Payne Stewart

as a caddie at Indian Hill Club in Winnetka, Ill. Be prepared to laugh out loud while reading this story that details Murray’s history with golf both factual and fictional.

This book, written by Stewart’s wife Tracey with the help from writer Ken Abraham, details the life of the 11-time PGA winner. It includes stories from 5. A Good Walk Spoiled: Days a childhood in Springfield, Mo., to his and Nights on the PGA Tour college years and professional start on (John Feinstein) the Asian Tour up until he died on Oct. 25, 1999 when his rented Learjet crashed Feinstein is the master of sports books. near Gainesville, Fla., en route from Stepping away from golf, A Civil War, an his home in Orlando to a PGA event in inside look at the Army-Navy football Texas. rivalry, is an awesome read, and everybody has heard of Season on the Brink, his book on Bobby Knight. His golf books 4. Cinderella Story: My Life in – The Majors and Caddy for Life – also Golf (Bill Murray) could be included with this list. A Good Walk Spoiled is my favorite as it puts Long before he played Carl Spackler readers inside what it’s like to be on the in Caddyshack, Murray followed in the PGA Tour week in, week out. footsteps of his brothers, Ed and Brian,