14-15 / 138
18-Hole Course of the Year -
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
DMGCC staff and the membership left no stone unturned in
order to make the Soheim Cup one for the ages. The course
was renovated from 2013-2016 under the supervision of Pete
Dye and his associate, Tim Liddy. These upgrades, as part of
the multi-year project at the club, have elevated the facility at
DMGCC to even higher levels.
Annual Award Winners
9-Hole Course of the Year -
Algona Country Club
18-Hole Superintendent of the Year -
Matt Hall - Burlingtion Golf Club
9-Hole Superintendent of the Year -
Garrett Yager - Urbandale Golf & CC
Club Manager of the Year -
Julianna Burkholder - Rice Lake Golf & Country Club
Professional of the Year -
Dustin Toner - Cedar Rapids Country Club
George Turner Distinguished Service Award -
Judy McCarty
Volunteer of the Year -
Sean Flanders
2017
The club, which was designed by the famous Willie Dunn, Jr.
(also designed Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, among others) and
opened for play in 1917, features nine holes of golf with rolling
hills and blind shots from bluegrass fairways into bent grass
greens. Spanning roughly 60 acres, ACC has added several
new members over the past year and continues to grow the
game of golf.
Matt Hall, who enters his third year at BGC, has elevated the
club’s course conditions even higher than previously seen
according to members. He has dealt with countless trees in-
flicted with Emerald Ashe Boarer, replaced all the sprinkler
heads on the course, replaced an irrigation pump and installed
new drainage to problematic areas on the lower portion of the
course.
Garrett Yager has been at Urbandale Golf & Country Club for
the past nine years. He is a superintendent who is devoted to
producing the best golf course he can and is very hands on
with the course, equipment and his staff. He always finds a
way to solve a problem and is always looking for ways to make
improvements.
Burkholder, according to her nomination, is extremely hard
working and continues to strive to bring the best atmosphere
possible to the club. She is the first one you will see at the club
in the morning and the last one to leave at night. “None come
close to doing as good of job as Julie does,” one Rice Lake G&CC
member stated.
The future of the game is very strong at CRCC thanks to Toner.
He has established a vibrant and innovative junior golf program
that has been very popular with the membership. With a full tee
sheet of play, CRCC has seen a tangible economic effect as well,
generating golf-related business throughout the club.
Judy McCarty was directly involved in nearly all areas of the Iowa
Women’s Golf Association. Her enthusiasm to make a difference
has been felt by all who come to know her. According to close
friend Jill Blackwood “Judy did so many behind the scenes things
that she never got credit for.... When I was President she was my
right arm.”
Sean Flanders is one of the most selfless people you will ever
meet. He has a tremendous work ethic and is uplifting to every-
one he comes across. Sean has been a student of the rules and has
been willing to officiate all over the state of Iowa. Sean is a friend
to all and when he isn’t volunteering at a Championship he is
missed.
11