The Iowa Golf Association is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 IGA Annual Awards.  The awards were voted on by the IGA Board of Directors at its annual meeting on Friday, November 6th at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny.  Member clubs of the IGA and employees of those clubs are eligible for these awards that have been bestowed annually since 1981.

9-Hole Course of the Year

Indian Creek Country Club in Marion is the 2009 winner of the 9-Hole Course of the Year.  A fixture in the Marion community since 1925, Indian Creek is a vital asset to the community as a place for business and social events. 

Facing foreclosure in December of 2007, a group of member investors stepped up to save the club.  With overwhelming support from the membership they elected a board of directors and refinanced the club’s debt.  In the past two years the club has seen improvements to both the clubhouse and course with the help of members contributing their time and effort.  Indian Creek CC was home to 190 IGA members in 2009. 

18-Hole Course of the Year

The IGA is pleased to name Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City as the 18-Hole Course of the Year.  Pat Franklin, CGCS, and Clark Smith, PGA, have done a tremendous job of providing an excellent golf experience to all who visited the club in 2009.  TCI has been the site of numerous IGA Championships and events this past decade including the IGA Match Play and a U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier in 2009.  TCI was home to over 100 members in 2009.  

As IGA member Jim Mitchell of Johnston stated in his nomination letter, “TCI conducts itself in the spirit of the IGA, promoting the game of golf for all.”

PGA Professional of the Year

Steve Reilly of Sunnyside Country Club is the IGA PGA Professional of the Year for 2009.  As host professional of the 2009 Iowa Amateur Championship Steve demonstrated the excellent organizational skills that he puts to use everyday for the members at Sunnyside Country Club.  One of the many things Steve organized was a large base of member volunteers which is a testament to the “give back to the game” spirit of the club.  Steve’s nomination was supported with great enthusiasm from Sunnyside member Tom Christensen as recognition for his daily effort to work for the membership at the club. 

Club Manager of the Year

Jeff Muilenburg of Hyperion Field Club is this years Club Manager of the Year.  Since Jeff’s arrival at Hyperion in 2006 he has worked on numerous projects yielding positive results for the club.

From administering the planning, bidding and construction of the club’s new pool to recently analyzing the heating and cooling system to ensure efficiency and reduce costs to producing strong oversight of the club’s overall finances, Jeff’s work deserves recognition.            

Employees noted the improvement in work atmosphere along with productive and meaningful staff meetings since his arrival.  Members have noticed his willingness to listen and his attitude which has spread to others at the club. 

9-Hole Superintendent of the Year

This year’s 9-Hole Superintendent of the Year is Mike Knight of Five Island Golf Course in Emmetsburg.  Mike not only works on the grounds but is heavily involved in the scheduling and conducting of events at the club.  Five Island Club Manager Amy Riska stated “Mike is 100% dedicated to the health and beauty of this golf course.”   

Mike’s nomination came with numerous support letters from members and visitors of the club who appreciate his tireless work both on the golf course and in the clubhouse.  His work ethic and professionalism were a recurring theme in the supporting letters as well as his friendly and optimistic attitude.

18-Hole Superintendent of the Year

The IGA Board of Directors named Rob Lindsey of Coldwater Golf Links in Ames and Dave Beik of Spirit Hollow Golf Course in Burlington as co-award winners of the 18-Hole Superintendent of the Year.  Both Lindsey and Beik persevered in 2009 from difficult situations at their club.

Lindsey saw his course underwater and closed for over 3 weeks in June of 2008 due to heavy flooding.  With constant care and attention to detail, Rob and his crew worked to return the surface to championship quality for all golfers.  In September of 2009 Lindsey showcased his achievement to the field at the Iowa Mid-Amateur and received many compliments.        

Dave Beik recently discovered that a bad water supply was the cause of lingering turf problems at Spirit Hollow.  Since the discovery Beik has made the necessary adjustments and the playing surface at the golf course is now among the best in Iowa.  Continuing cosmetic changes and the recent addition of tees to the course makes Spirit Hollow a “must play” for all golf enthusiasts.

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