2018 Yearbook

17 Since the spring of 1990 Russ Appel has been a familiar face at Webster City’s Briggs Woods Golf Course. More re- cently, Appel has been heavily involved with a multi-million dollar construction project at the club for a new conference center which is slated to be completed in early 2019. With Appel’s guidance the club has seen little disruption to its day-to-day activities at the golf course. Appel, who also serves as superintendent at the 18- hole municipal facility, helped spearhead fundraising efforts for the project – with 100% of the work being paid from either donations or grants, including support from local government. The project, which began on a smaller scale, grew into a ‘community’ endeavor and will now include an 11,200 sq. ft. building with a full service kitchen, movable walls, high tech A/V system, large bathrooms and many other amenities that will serve 300-400 people. With the construction of the new conference center, plus his duties as both superintendent and club manager, it’s hard to imagine just how busy Russ was during the 2018 season. But that hard work shows through to the golfers at Briggs Woods and the citizens of Webster City, as they will both be treated with a wonderful new facility next year. But adding extra work, such as the conference cen- ter, does not come as a surprise to those who have been around Briggs Woods as long as Russ has. During his tenure at the course, Appel has oversaw the addition of the back nine holes, addition of several new tee boxes, construc- tion of a new clubhouse and the addition of stay and play packages. It’s almost as if the man has no idea how to rest! 9-Hole Superintendent of the Year Chris Steffen - Tipton Golf & Country Club Steffen, who became Superintendent at Tipton G&CC in 2006, grew up on the course. Without ques- tion it, along with the community, has always held a special place in his heart. Steffen has always put much attention to detail and thought into subtle ways he could improve the course. Faced with a challenging year weather-wise in 2018, Steffen is credited by membership of keeping the course and its playing surface in great shape. In addition to his daily duties as superintendent, Steffen, for the past five years, has helped organize and run a junior golf pro- gram at the club. This program has been a huge success, With nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, Shawver has gained insight into grounds maintenance, pro shop sales and general operations of a golf course. And even more important, Shawver understands how all these areas connect and work together to form a suc- cessful facility. Patrons who interact with Shawver will receive his undivided attention, good conversation and ap- preciation of your time. The staff and patrons of GCGC expressed in the nomination that his kindness is overlooked in the equation that makes up a great team member. His work and attention has led to wonderful growth at Grinnell College Golf Course. In 2018 alone, youth golf participation has more than doubled from 2017, the number of rounds are up almost 50% and officials at the club believe member- ship will increase next year from pupils that Shawver has introduced to the game. Officials at GCGC credit Shawver with recruit- ing both traditional golfers and those who have never played the game to their course. Shawver cares greatly about playing and working on your game, but mak- ing sure you are having lots of fun at the same time. Shawver believes that it doesn’t matter what your swing plane looks like or what your spin rate is, if you aren’t having fun playing the game. “That is how John goes about growing interest and participation in this game we call golf,” Shane Hart, GCGC Club Manager said. “This it why it makes him one of the greatest ambassadors (for golf in Iowa). Club Manager of the Year Russ Appel - Briggs Woods Golf Course, Webster City PGA Professional of the Year John Shawver - Grinnell College Golf Course, Grinnell growing every year. In 2018, a total of 66 junior golfers took part in the program. “Chris wants golf to grow at Tipton Golf & Country Club,” one nomination read. “He wanted to do his part in getting kids interested in the game. In addition to that, he is single-handedly respon- sible for raising $150,000 (over the past three years) for the new clubhouse fund. None of this would be happen- ing without Chris’ passion for his community and his club.”