Mini Tees: From Debris to Pristine

Mini Tees on All Par 3s

We’ve added new mini tees on all par 3 holes (and #1) to help reduce broken tee clutter. This small change has a big impact: cleaner teeing areas, fewer issues for grounds equipment, reduced labor, and lower costs associated with providing complimentary tees.

Using them is simple:
Open the sand/seed container, grab a mini tee, take your shot, and drop it back in the basket when you’re finished. They’re durable and rarely break.

Side Note: If you take a divot, please replace it and apply sand/seed to help the area recover. With a little care, it will be good as new in just a few days.

This is an easy, cost-effective step that helps keep our tee boxes pristine—thanks for doing your part!

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Crafting Hospitality, a New Mission Statement at GCGC

Updated Mission Statement: Crafting Hospitality

At GCGC, our team takes pride in delivering a superior experience for every guest who walks through our doors. We often say, “We are not a country club—but that doesn’t mean we can’t deliver country-club–level experiences at our public venue.”
As we enter the 2026 season, both new and returning staff will embrace this updated mission and work diligently to bring it to life.

We’ve been evolving this philosophy for several years, and in 2026 we’re taking several meaningful steps forward:

A Better First Impression: The Front Door Is the Front Door

It may sound simple, but it matters: guests should enter through the actual front door. Having visitors walk around the clubhouse to the lower level wasn’t the most welcoming start to their experience.

Beginning this season:

  • Check-in will take place in the Manhattan Lounge, a space with some of the best views in Grinnell.
  • This allows our team to more effectively monitor the 1st tee, putting green, and the 1899 Lounge.
  • The lower level will continue operating as our primary Pro Shop, offering merchandise and grab-and-go snacks and drinks for golfers.

Our Course, Our Care

With more than 9,000 rounds played each year—over 135,000 footsteps on each hole—our course thrives when we all share the responsibility of caring for it. A common commitment to stewardship means better playing conditions for everyone.

Points of emphasis for 2026:

  • Fix your ball mark + 1 Other upon arriving at each green.
  • Tee box care: dispose of broken tees, replace your divot, and use the sand/seed mix provided.
  • Keep all 4 tires on designated cart paths wherever paths are available.

Menu Improvements on the Horizon

We’re actively exploring updates to our food menu, along with the equipment needed to deliver new offerings efficiently and consistently. More details will come as plans develop.

Stay Tuned—and Stay Engaged

We’re excited for these changes and more throughout the 2026 season. As always, if you have constructive feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us at golfcourse@grinnell.edu. We value our community’s input and work hard to turn shared ideas into meaningful improvements.

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New Golf Lounge Now Open

A New Way to Play Is Now in Full Swing at the Grinnell College Golf Course 

A new indoor Golf Lounge is now open at the Grinnell College Golf Course, offering year-round opportunities for play, practice, and connection. 

Housed in the former “Fireplace Room,” the reimagined space features expanded putting areas and two state-of-the-art golf simulator hitting bays—creating a welcoming, modern environment for golfers of all experience levels. 

Indoor golf continues to grow in popularity, offering a welcoming entry point for new players and a flexible, fun way for seasoned golfers to sharpen their skills. The Golf Lounge strengthens the connection between off-course and on-course play while activating the clubhouse during the off-season. 

With more than 9,000 rounds played annually during the regular season, the addition of the Golf Lounge expands year-round programming, increases access, and creates new ways for the community to gather around the game. 

GCGC extends its gratitude to the former club members and the GCGC Stewardship Committee for their vision, leadership, and commitment in bringing this project to life. 

The Golf Lounge is open now—book a bay by clicking here or calling 641-269-3590, and experience a new way to play at GCGC. 

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2026 Season Pass Rates

Teeing Up for an Exciting Year at GCGC – Accessible Golf Pass Rates 

Grinnell College Golf Course is looking forward to an exciting year ahead. From reinvesting in enhanced playing conditions to expanding programming, we’ve been working hard to create a space that golfers can enjoy year-round.

We’re reaffirming our commitment to accessibility with a simplified rate structure that brings back the affordable, easy-to-understand pricing golfers have appreciated in the past. With our streamlined rates, it’s now easy for area golfers to jump in and enjoy everything the course and clubhouse offer. 

Our “Return to Golf” introductory offer helped welcome many players over the last four years, and bringing that spirit forward with streamlined rates ensures clarity while sustaining the inclusive environment we value. 

We’re excited to keep growing, improving, and sharing our passion for golf with the community. 

To view or purchase season passes, please visit https://golf.grinnell.edu/season-passes/

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The Green Space Transitions to Winter

Transitioning Seasons

As the seasons change, so does the care that goes into our golf course. This time of year, we winterize buildings, blow out irrigation lines, remove fountains, service equipment, and prepare the course for a strong start next Spring. A major part of this preparation is applying a snow mold preventer—a protective “blanket” that helps our greens rebound quickly once the weather warms.

To make this treatment as effective as possible, we need your help: please stay off the greens during the winter months. We welcome cross-country skiers, walkers, and nature enthusiasts to enjoy the property—just kindly avoid the putting surfaces where the flagsticks and cups would normally be.

Thank you for helping us protect the course!

All the best,

The GCGC Team

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Photo Courtesy of Katy Wells

The Course Isn’t Just for Mom & Dad

Making Memories @ GCGC

⛳️ For 126 years, our course has been the setting for unforgettable memories. For golfers, that might mean a first birdie, eagle, or even the elusive hole-in-one.

But the magic of this space goes beyond the scorecard. It’s in the first fish caught in the ponds, kids searching for frogs along the creek, a foggy morning dog walk, rolling in the autumn leaves, or even lending a hand with course care—like Lennan (6) and Remy (4) Wells!

👏 A big thank-you to these girls for expertly filling divots and to their parents for sharing the experience with them. We love seeing families enjoy the beauty of our green space—and we always encourage you to create your own memories here! 🌿

~Photo courtesy of Katy Wells

 

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Light The Night Results

Results of the 2025 Light the Night

We’d like to thank the 32 participants and the hundreds of people who came out to watch our 2025 Light the Night competition.  We had players ages 14 to 74, music from the 70’s to the 2020’s, and a fun spectacle for all.  Special thanks to our partners at Big Grove Brewery for providing samples of some of their recent releases!

Here is how the contestants finished:

  • Champion:  Devin Wells
  • Runner-up:  Cade German
  • T-3:  Travis Renze & Nick Thompson
  • T-5:  Dave Arseneault, Cole McGriff, Dave Smith, & Wyatt Thomas
  • Closest to the Pin:  Dave Smith, 2’8″
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Couple’s Golf Nights

Fridays in June and July at 5:30 pm

Our Couple’s Golf is on Fridays.  These Friday night events are open to any 2-person teams that want to play together.  Email or call the pro shop to sign up!

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Sips & Swings Women’s Golf Night, Now on Thursdays!

Join us for “Sips & Swings,” our weekly women’s golf night, now held every Thursday from May 22 through August 14! Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting, this is the perfect opportunity to improve your game, socialize, and have fun.

Each Thursday, a free golf lesson will kick off at 5:15 PM, followed by 9 holes of a 4-person scramble at 5:30 PM. Foursomes will be organized on-site, so no need to bring a team. The cost for golf and a cart is $30.

Not interested in golfing? No problem! The clubhouse and patio will be open for drinks and networking. You can also ride along with friends on the course for free.  Need clubs? We offer a variety of rental club sets including women’s flex in right-handed and left-handed.

Pub food is available for order in the clubhouse or we can partner with local restaurants on special nights.

Registration is not required; simply show up when you can. Partners are welcome but not necessary.

Come join us on Thursdays at 5:15 PM for “Sips & Swings” and make the most of your summer evenings!

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GCGC Superintendent Receives Professional Certification

Jason Koester CGCS Receives Professional Certification

Lawrence, Kan. (April 4, 2025) – Jason Koester, certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) at Grinnell (Iowa) College Golf Course, has completed the renewal process for maintaining his elite status with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Koester has been at Grinnell since 2008.

A 25-year GCSAA member, he initially achieved his certification in 2005. Only about 900 golf course superintendents worldwide currently hold top-level status as a certified golf course superintendent.

“This program requires the highest set of competencies in golf course management through testing and practical application, and we are proud of the association’s Class A members who have advanced and continue to hold the highest level of professional recognition as a certified golf course superintendent,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA chief executive officer. “We congratulate Jason on retaining the CGCS designation.”

To become a CGCS, a candidate must have at least three years’ experience as a golf course superintendent, met all GCSAA Class A member requirements, passed the proctored online exam covering agronomy, business and environmental management; completed the communication and leadership requirement; and undergone a successful attesting of the golf course.

“Being a certified golf course superintendent shows dedication to our great profession, commitment to continued learning and hard work,” Koester said. “CGCS is more than four letters behind your name. It demonstrates setting a goal, accomplishing it, and maintaining a high level of professionalism in the golf course industry and turfgrass maintenance.”

In order to maintain certified status, superintendents are required to complete a renewal process every five years. Koester has completed these renewal cycles since initially becoming certified.

To learn more about the CGCS program, visit gcsaa.org/CGCS.

About GCSAA

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to 20,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.

 

The GCSAA Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to secure funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Visit the Foundation at www.gcsaa.org/foundation.

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