2016 Yearbook

ANNUAL AWARDS GEORGE TURNER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

9-HOLE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

Mike McAllister, Stone Creek GC, Williamsburg

18-HOLE COURSE OF THE YEAR

Otter Creek Golf Course, Ankeny

9-HOLE COURSE OF THE YEAR

Urbandale Golf & Country Club

18-HOLE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

Tom Feller, Cedar Rapids Country Club

Urbandale Golf & Country Club in Urbandale is the 2016 9-Hole Course of the Year.

The golf course is located on 87 acres and was started in 1965 by a group of charter

members who helped build the 9 hole golf course that they still have today.

Several of the nominations for UGCC commented that the course playing conditions

were in top shape and that members have been spoiled by the outstanding facility they

have at the club.

The club recently hosted the 2016 Forever 39 Match Play Championship - which drew

rave reviews from nearly every participant. Urbandale Golf & CC also won the award in

2006.

An outstanding public facility, Otter Creek GC hosted its 10th USGA qualifier in the last

14 years, the U.S. Amateur qualifier, in 2016. The course has also hosted many IGA

Championships over the years. The facility, including the clubhouse and practice range, is

home to nearly 30,000 rounds every year, with another 15,000 using the practice range.

The course and its staff have been leaders in junior golf instruction and development in

the state – continuing today with around 300 kids participating in various camps, clinics

and other activities at the course.

The facility was originally opened in 1982 and was redesigned by Paul Miller & Associates

(Minneapolis, MN) in 2008. The renovated Otter Creek opened June, 2009. In addition to

the new golf course, it included an all new clubhouse and driving range.

Mike McAllister of Stone Creek Golf Club, Williamsburg, is the 2016 9-Hole

Superintendent of the Year. Year-in and year-out the playing conditions and overall

beauty of Stone Creek Golf Club draws rave reviews from members of the IGA. In fact,

the course has won the IGA 9-hole Course of the Year award twice (2002, 11).

McAllister has been at Stone Creek since it’s remodel in 2001, becoming superintendent

in 2003. While only 9-holes, McAllister keeps the course in top notch shape and players

from across the state make it a point to stop and play this gem in Williamsburg.

During a recent multi-year restoration of the Donald Ross design at Cedar Rapids Country

Club, Tom Feller oversaw a significant amount of creativity and heavy lifting. This gave CRCC

members and guests a refreshing, authentic, challenging and deligh�ul golf experience.

“Without Tom, it would be extremely difficult to replicate our success,” CRCC Green

Committee Chair Vaughn Halyard said. “He figured out how to do a $3 million project

for a fraction of that. He came in 65-80% under budget and probably two years ahead

of schedule - all while maintaining the regular maintenance routing over the course for

multiple seasons.”

The ‘new’ course has already been the recipient of numerous positive accolades by several

outlets, including positive praise from golf course architect Tom Doak. Feller, and his crew, were instrumental in the success

of the 2016 U.S. Open Local qualifier conducted by the IGA at CRCC. The course played firm, fast and tough. It was a

fantastic test for players trying to qualify for the national championship.