My Top 5 Golf Course Choices in Iowa (Only courses I have played)

Today, I am thinking of my family at home in Iowa while I am in Arizona.  I miss my family and friends from back home dearly.  So I am going to talk about the best golf courses I have played in my home state.  Here are my top five:

1. Glen Oaks CC 
2. Spirit Hollow
3. Tournament Club of Iowa
4. Amana Colonies
5. Lake Panorama National GC

1. Glen Oaks CC is one of the top 3 golf clubs in Iowa if not the best in the state.  A private club that has hosted the Principal Charity Classic on the PGA Champions Tour many times, you will definitely need to know someone to get a tee time.  However, it is in phenomenal shape and recently the golf course underwent a renovation.  Glen Oaks has hosted Iowa's US Amateur qualifiers as well and don't be surprised if the Charity Classic returns to West Des Moines soon.

2. I have played Spirit Hollow just once and it was about 8 years ago as a teenager.  However, I remember being amazed with the golf course even then.  The elevation changes and course layout are tough to beat.  It was unlike any golf course I had played in my life at the time and it really opened my eyes to golf outside the small nine hole golf course I grew up on.  Spirit Hollow hosts the Golfweek Conference Challenge hosted by the University of Iowa every year as well.

3. Tournament Club of Iowa is another golf course I have played only once.  An Arnold Palmer design, TCI is another golf course with surprising elevation changes for the flattish state of Iowa.  Just about 20 minutes away from Des Moines,  TCI is a must play if you are in the area. Last year, TCI hosted pre-qualifying for the John Deere Classic.

4. Amana Colonies does not attract as much play as it probably should because of the location being so far away from civilization. However there is definitely beauty of a golf course with a remote location. Amana Colonies was ranked by Golf Advisor as the 35th toughest based on consumer reviews and I can't say that I am surprised.  The golf course is extremely tight with a lot of massive trees over 100 feet tall.  At 50$ with a cart the price is pretty tough to beat, but I would recommend bringing an extra sleeve of balls! 😉

A look at the approach into the 15th green at LPN.  The green slopes severely back to front and the shot is all over water.  The approach is blind from the right side of the fairway.

5. Lake Panorama National GC is located in a little town called Panora about an hour from Des Moines. The golf course features views of the lake on about 3 of the holes including a beautiful view of Lake Panorama on the difficult closing hole.  LPN has extremely undulating greens which is one of the golf course's defenses and also makes for a fun time on the greens!  It's signature 15th hole(see above) features one of the toughest tee shots and approach shots you will ever face, especially if the tee shot is hit down the right half of the fairway. For reasons such as this, LPN has hosted the Iowa Open golf tournament for many years and remains one of the top state opens in the United States bringing in professionals from all over the country.  I have had the pleasure of playing in the tournament three times as an amateur and it is likely I return to play the tournament as professional in the future.

Merry Christmas,

Kevin Trobaugh, PGA Apprentice

"...The one who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.." -John 12:35 & 12:46