Grinnell College Golf Course Visioning Workshops Follow-Up

Over 250 participants engaged in the Grinnell College Golf Course Visioning Workshops this past summer. Over the course of two full days, these workshops sparked conversations, invited the sharing of history, and cultivated new ideas.

According to Grinnell College Vice President Community Engagement and Strategic Planning Monica Chavez-Silva, the events of the fall semester — including racist harassment on campus and in the city of Grinnell — have meant that the College’s community work has necessarily focused on steps to address the harm being done to colleagues, friends, and students. Addressing these issues with campus and community members has taken precedence because of the urgency of this problem.

The College is now able to provide a progress update on the Grinnell College Golf Course Project. The workshop facilitators — David Bagnoli of StudioMB (the architecture and planning firm behind the “Zone of Confluence”) and Jonathan Ceci (the lead landscape architect behind the College’s landscape master plan) — have shared some preliminary ideas generated by the feedback they heard at the workshops.

The plans are ambitious in their vision for what changes can be made at the golf course to make the facility more inviting for a broader range of users and an even stronger place for gathering and connection. Because of the strong prospects for partnership, the College leadership team will now reach out to potential partners in the community to thoroughly analyze the consultants’ proposals to determine their feasibility and potential next steps. Grinnell College is actively working with partners on all aspects of the project, including programming and funding.

The College remains committed to its ambitious goals and to investing in the Grinnell Golf Course and all that it can contribute to the well-being of all Grinnellians.

“We are grateful for the input shared by the individuals who participated in the visioning sessions and thank them for their patience with this project. We deeply value the feedback, the creative work that has taken place, and the connections that have been shared. We look forward to the continued work ahead. Please watch for updates on this project in the spring,” shared Chavez-Silva.

The College encourages community members to take advantage of the beautiful spaces and opportunities at the Grinnell Golf Course in the winter months. Follow this link for Winter events and programs at GCGC.

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Drought Conditions Impacting The Course

Adjusting to the Dry Conditions

Grinnell College Golf Course acts as a water basin for much of northern Grinnell.  We typically are able retain that water and reuse it accordingly.  That rain collection has ceased with the recent drought conditions, and our irrigation practices at GCGC are being impacted.  While we always focus on sustainable practices, we will be adjusting our watering practices as follows:

  • Fountains:  We use our fountains to help keep the water oxygenated, which improves the water quality for flora and fauna while reducing algae build-up.  However, evaporation also happens, so the fountains are running on timers to reduce evaporation.
  • Water Pump:  We will be moving water from the upper pond by #9 to the lower pond.  When golfing, please take free relief from this area.
  • Playing Conditions:  We focus our efforts on the greens first, followed by the teeing areas, and finally the fairways.  We have started to reduce irrigation on the fairways.  You can expect firmer playing conditions in those areas.

Thank you for understanding and we hope to see you on the course!

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GCGC Championships Recap

A Beautiful Day & Some Great Golf!

We hosted our championships this past Sunday with 46 players playing in the various divisions.  The grounds team had the course in pristine condition, which made for a challenging and fun day of golf!

The $680 prize pool was divided between the 5 categories of Gross Skins, Net Skins, Gross Division, Net Division, and Pin Events.  The winners are as follows (paid via club credit):

  • Junior Division 13 & Under (9 holes):
    • 1st Place:  Lincoln Stensrud (42)
    • 2nd Place:  Drew Hart (46)
  • Junior Division 18 & Under (18 holes)
    • 1st Place:  Brandon Thompson (79)
    • 2nd Place:  Kaleb Krumm (86)
  • Men’s Open Division (27 holes)
    • 1st Place:  Connor McKay (109) – $20
    • T-2nd:  Steve Foss, John German (111) – $14
  • Men’s Senior Division (18 Holes)
    • 1st Place:  Dave Smith (75) – $20
    • T-2nd:  Al Fenner, Ron Moran (76) – $7 each
  • Women’s Open Division (18 holes)
    • 1st Place:  Lynn Mawe (71) – $20
    • 2nd Place:  Kelly Fosse (98) – $14
  • Women’s Senior Division (52)
    • 1st Place:  Sheri Fenner (52) – $34

Other Prizes:

  • Net Winners:  1st-Lynn Mawe (65) $34, 2nd-Dan Becker (67) $20, 3rd-Al Knaack (68)-$16, T-4th-Brian Jaworski & Sam Peiffer (69) – $14 each, T-6th-Shane Hart, Dave Smith, Al Fenner, Rich Shell (70) $10 each.
  • Pin Events:  $15 each
    • Long Putt:  Sherri Fenner
    • Closet to 150:  Greg Wallace
    • Closest in 3:  Shane Hart
    • Long Drive: Brady Grefe
    • Long Putt:  Kenny Atlas
    • Closest in 2:  John German
  • Gross Skins: $19 each
    • Lynn Mawe 
    • Connor McKay x 3
    • Taylor Hinkle
    • Dave Smith
    • Kevin Stensrud
  • Net Skins:  $34 Each
    • Sam Peiffer
    • Al Knaack
    • Nick Brooks x 2
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Light The Night Success

Stensrud Wins

We had another successful Light the Night this past Saturday.  We had participants ranging from 13 to 63 participate. Kevin Stensrud was ultimately crowned champion of the event. Chris Zug had the closest shot in proximity to the hole with a shot of 10’3/4″.

Special thanks to CJ Garland with AircutStudio.com for providing us with some awesome drone footage! CJ’s company provides an array of drone services. Check out his video by clicking here.  Thank you to all the participants, patrons that attended, and staff that helped pull off this successful event!

We took half of the entry fee towards the prize pool which equated to $575.

Prizes (In Club Credit)

  • T4
    • Carter Grefe – $75
    • Chris Zug – $75
  • T2 – Cade German – $150
  • Closest to the Pin:  Chris Zug – $50
  • Winner:  Kevin Stensrud – $200
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Community Visioning Workshops

July 27th & 28th

Grinnell College has contracted with a consulting team to conduct a series of visioning workshops on July 27 & 28 to explore the future of the Grinnell College Golf Course pool area and its surroundings. The sessions will be led by David Bagnoli of StudioMB (the architecture and planning firm behind the “Zone of Confluence”) and Jonathan Ceci, (formerly of Ayers Saint Gross) – the lead landscape architect behind the college’s landscape master plan. The Grinnell community is welcome to attend and participate in this forward-looking conversation.  Opportunities for participation include:

  • Wednesday, July 27 – Evening Dessert Social & Discussion
    • What: Cookies, Lemonade and Interactive Stations to Gather Input (Dessert Social and Dessert social and interactive stations to gather input 7-8, Presentation/Discussion 8- 8:30)
    • Time: 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
    • Where: Grinnell College Golf Course Club House (933 13th Avenue)
  • Thursday, July 28 – Mid-Day Activity Sessions
    • What: Drop-In Input and Activity Sessions (come and go at your convenience)
    • Time: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
    • Where: Saint’s Rest Coffee House (917 Broad Street)
  • Thursday, July 28 – Afternoon Activity Sessions
    • What: Drop-In Input and Activity Sessions (come and go at your convenience)
    • Time: 3-6 p.m.
    • Where: Farmer’s Market (Central Park)

We hope you can join us for one of these events — all three of these sessions will offer similar input opportunities. 

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Advanced Junior League

Interested in preparing for high school golf? You’re invited to receive instruction from our PGA professional, John Shawver, and to compete with other area junior golfers.

The program is designed for youth ages 10–15. Please email golfcourse@grinnell.edu and let us know you’re interested in participating. The cost of the program is $150, which includes instruction, greens fees, Youth On Course Membership, merchandise, and awards.

  • Instructional Days
    • Friday, June 17 from 8 am – 9:30 am
    • Friday, June 24 from 8 am – 9:30 am
  • Play Days
    • July 1, 8, 15, 22
    • Championship on August 5
    • Each play day will be from 8 am to approximately 10:30 am

Attendance is not required at all sessions.

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Light The Night

You haven’t done this before…

Friday, July 29th

We welcome anyone to come and participate in the Light the Night Challenge.  The closest thing resembling this event would be those of you that have tried Topgolf.  We will light up our 9th hole teeing area and green for this one…  Event Rules will be as follows:

    • Begins at 9 pm.
    • 1 Hole Player vs Player Match Play
    • No ties; tiebreaker is decided by whomever was closer to the pin in regulation
  • Single Elimination
  • Entry Fee:  $50
  • Field:  The first 36 paid entrants
  • Prizes:  A purse based on the final field will be communicated.

We will have a DJ playing music, an Emcee announcing, and all the fun you can handle!

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The Invitational

July 14th – 16th

Come enjoy golf, comradery, cuisine, music, prizes and entertainment.  You and a partner of your choice are invited to join us for our premier golf event, The Invitational.

This event promises to keep you and your partner entertained over 3 days.  No matter your age or ability, we have a format that will allow your 2-person team to participate at a competitive level.

Your team’s $500 registration fee provides your team 72 Holes of Golf, $200 in Tournament Gifts, Prizes, 5 meals, & 1 Unique Golf Experience.  Players’ families are welcome to watch and use the course’s facilities throughout the event.

  • Tentative Schedule
    • Thursday, July 14th
      • Optional practice rounds starting via tee time at 11:30 am
      • Lunch available in the Crawford Pub
    • Friday, July 15th
      • 7 am:  Registration and Practice Range Open
        • only a short range and putting green onsite, full range available at Ahren’s Park (1 mile East of the course)
      • 8 am:   Brunch and tournament information ~ Players
      • 9 am:   Match 1
      • 11 am:   Match 2
      • Lunch provided ~ Players
      • 1 am:  Match 3
      • 6 pm:  Happy hour and horderves~ Players & Spouses (country club casual)
    • Saturday, July 16th
      • 7:30:  Breakfast ~ Players
      • 8:30:  Match 4
      • 10:30:  Match 5
      • Lunch provided during play ~ Players
      • 1:00:  Shoot-Out for qualifying teams
      • 3:00:  Awards

Open to the first 30 paid teams.  Email golfcourse@grinnell.edu to inquire further.

Payment can be made in the Pro Shop with cash, credit or check.  Checks can be mailed to 933 13th Ave, Grinnell, IA  50112.  Credit Card payments may also be called in.

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GCGC Championships – Open to Everyone

GCGC Championships – Open to Everyone

Sunday, July 31st

We will be hosting the Grinnell College Golf Course Championships on Sunday, July 31st.  Come experience Grinnell College Golf Course at its best!  An active GHIN handicap index is required to receive net awards.  This event will be free for youth competitors and $20 for all other divisions which will include:

  • Gross Skins
  • Net Skins
  • Low Gross payouts
  • Low Net payouts (flights determined by number of participants)

The divisions will be set up as follows:

  • Youth Division (Free):
    • 15 & Under
    • 9 Holes:  Red tees
    • Not eligible for payouts
  • Men’s Open Division
    • Men wishing to compete for the GCGC Championship
    • 27 Holes
      • 18 Holes:  Diamond Course (White/Honor G)
      • Top 12 qualifiers reflighted to play 9 holes:  Honor G tees
  • Women’s Open Division
    • Women wishing to compete for the GCGC Championship
    • 18 Holes: Red tees
  • Men’s Senior Division
    • Men ages 60 and over wishing to compete for the senior division
    • 18 Holes:  Circle Course (Red/White)
  • Women’s Senior Division
    • Women ages 60 and over wishing to compete in the senior division
    • 9 Holes:  Red tees
  • Men’s Super Senior Division
    • Men 75 and older wishing to compete in the super senior division
    • 9 Holes: Red tees

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Men’s League Meeting

Monday, April 4th

6 pm – 7 pm (NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game on to follow)

Grinnell College Golf Course Lounge

Interested in playing Tuesday night league at Grinnell College Golf Course this year?  Come out to this annual meeting to learn more about the costs, format, and schedule.  All men 18 & older are welcome to participate.  Golfers of all abilities are welcome as golf handicaps are utilized.

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