2018 Yearbook

16 Annual Award Winners 18-Hole Course of the Year Beaver Hills Country Club - Cedar Falls 9-Hole Course of the Year Tara Hills Country Club - Van Horne Sparks, who began his duties at Davenport CC in March of 2014, recently oversaw and executed a renova- tion of the golf course, which included the removal of over 500 trees. His ability to communicate and educate members throughout the process was noted many times in his letters of recommendation. From the beginning of the renovations at DCC, Sparks identified it would be a process of focusing first on issues with larger playability and visual impact, then addressing the smaller but often labor-intensive details the membership expected. Once the larger challenges were met, the detail work would become part of the ongoing routine. Sparks’ ability to manage the transition from the course renovation to on-going operations has been ap- Tara Hills Country Club, located in eastern Iowa, is nestled into 60 acres of what used to be farmland. The course annually draws praise and rave reviews for its quality and consistency, especially its green surfaces. In addition to its condition, Tara Hills CC conducts a strong and successful ‘Golf Academy’ for junior golf- ers in the area. In 2018, over 60 juniors took part in the program. Tara Hills CC was also supported and was involved in the Youth on Course efforts with the IGA, offering a discounted rate to junior golfers during specified times. Tara Hills CC also has a dedicated tree planting program, whereby they nurture seedlings or transplant to replace and increase the tree population each year. The club, which is highly reliant on volunteer effort from its membership, took on projects recently to replace windows and a major kitchen remodel at the clubhouse. ‘Bat Boxes’ were also installed recently at the club to help assist with bug control on the course and to ensure a pleasant experience for those visiting and play- ing the course. Beaver Hills Country Club, which recently has hosted the 2017 Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2018 U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifier, continues to draw words of praise by golfers from around the state for its condition as well as its overall atmosphere. The club, which was founded in 1965, is set in a secluded spot where seemingly untouched wilder- ness is home to a fair, yet challeng- ing, golf course. The Beaver Creek meanders through- out the picturesque course providing a home for many types of wildlife. Bentgrass fairways, tee boxes and greens are meticulously manicured, providing a beautiful setting for prairie flowers, butterflies and area wildlife. Beaver Hills CC’s staff, including Club Manager Chad Hoffman, PGA Professional Brad Clark and Superinten- dent Josh Peterson, are all highly regarded professionals at their respective craft. Beaver Hills CC and its members (which totals nearly 400 individual IGA members) are always welcoming with open arms when the IGA brings events to town, and the course is a big draw to all play- ers from around the state. 18-Hole Superintendent of the Year Dean Sparks - Davenport Country Club plauded. One member com- mented that it was during that process that Sparks has shown his management and profes- sional skills beyond those of a project manager. Another DCC member commented that “Sparks was able to achieve the massive course renovation in an unheard of time frame”. “Many skeptics have been converted to believers since the course renovation due to Dean’s ability to educate the membership, me included,” Tim Smith, DCC Greens and Ground Chairman said.