Advanced Junior Golf League

Grinnell College Golf Course To Offer an Advanced Junior Golf League

This program is aimed at youth ages 10-15 familiar with golf.  Through instruction and competition, this league will advance your youth’s ability while preparing them for high school golf.  Both boys and girls are encouraged to participate!

Cost:  $150

Schedule (8 am – 10:00 am)

  • Tuesday, June 15th – Instructional day
  • Friday, June 18th – Instructional day
  • Friday, June 25th – Instructional day
  • Friday, July 2nd – Play day
  • Tuesday, July 6th – Play day
  • Friday, July 9th – Play day
  • Tuesday, July 13th – Play day
  • Friday, July 16th – Play day
  • Tuesday July 20th – Play day

Entry Fee includes instruction with our Director of Golf, John Shawver – PGA, green fees, merchandise, and awards.  Players will be responsible for providing their own equipment.  For more information or questions regarding this program, please call 641-269-3590 or email golfcourse@grinnell.edu.

/by

GHS Boys Win Their Invitational

Wednesday, May 5th

The GHS Boys Invitational, originally scheduled as an 18-hole event on May 3rd, was postponed to yesterday, May 5th.  The Tigers won the 9-hole event yesterday, with our own Cole McGriff taking 2nd with a +1 (36).  Will Simpson of Pella High School was medalist with a blistering -3 (32).  Other Tiger Varsity scores were Gavin Gilman 39, Cade German 39, Nathaniel Zug 40, Matthew Zug 40, and Gabe Gillman 48.

/by

GRINNELL MEN’S GOLF TEAM LOOKS FOR EXCITING CAMPAIGN IN 2020-21

GRINNELL, Iowa – The Grinnell College men’s golf team will have a nice blend of experience and newcomers as it prepares for the 2020-21 campaign, which begins with a home meet Saturday against the Central College White Team.

“The last year-and-a-half, we all have had to deal with a large dose of adversity, interruption, cancellations, and isolation, so we feel fortunate as a team just to be together again,” said head coach Brian Jaworski. “There have been a lot of cold, rainy, windy, wet days on the golf course, but that hasn’t deterred our group one bit.  If there is one positive thing about the pandemic, it has been the opportunity to completely start from scratch.  I feel like the members of this men’s golf team have taken advantage of that new fresh start to change a lot of things about our practices, and off-the-course habits. These guys have done everything the coaching staff has asked of them, and in some cases more. Not only have the guys prepared hard for the shortened season, but we have also established new standards and more commitment to the golf team, which will benefit the squad this year and beyond.”

Leading the charge for Grinnell are Sam Naik ’21 and Simon Lane ’23. “They have been our best and most consistent players,” said Jaworski. “Sam is a rock, posting solid scores and working hard on his short game to bring those scores down.  Simon is just so explosive off the tee, and he really doesn’t have too many weaknesses in his game.  Both are two-sport athletes, and their ability to grind it out comes from playing multiple sports.”

“Our two first-year players who are on campus, Ian Strawn ’24 and Jake Heinrich ’24, and Lucas Roscoe, who is not on campus for S2, set the tone for our team by working their tails off during S1,” the coach continued. “Without their buy-in, we would have been the same ol’, same ol’ golf team, but we’re not.  We’re improved and a lot of that can be traced back to their dedication to the golf workouts/training during S1.  On the golf course, all three guys show great potential and we are looking forward to their continued growth on the course.

“James Lim ’22 has something special in that he doesn’t have to hit it great to post a good score,” Jaworski continued. “He doesn’t give in or ever feel sorry for himself when he gets a bad break.  He is another player who is making adjustments and becoming a more dedicated teammate, which will help bring his scores down.

“Brody Barton ’23 is everything you want in a golfer,” the coach concluded. “He is strong, extremely dedicated, and a very, very good teammate.  He is so much improved from a year ago, and that is because Brody invested in his own game and went down to Florida to work on his game with some excellent instructors.  He looks good out on the course, and you can’t find a nicer kid to play with.  It is my opinion that someday, Brody will be captain of a championship golf team here at Grinnell.”

All of that has Jaworski excited for the season. “Our team is hard-working,” he said. “The guys are accountable, and our team communication has been the best it has ever been.  We are super excited to be playing again.  We love our group and are proud of the improvements we have made.  It has been awesome working so closely with Coach Rock(ne Decoster), Coach (John) Shawver and all the guys.”

Courtesy of pioneers.grinnell.edu
/by

ONE-TWO PUNCH OF KOUCHI, OBERLANDER PROPELS GRINNELL GOLFERS TO STRONG PERFORMANCE

WAVERLY, Iowa – With the potent 1-2 punch of Nina Kouchi ’22 and Danielle Oberlander ’21, the Grinnell College women’s golf team was nearly unstoppable Sunday.

Kouchi maintained her first-round lead to win the two-day Wartburg Invitational with a 9-over-par 149, the 17th-best two-day score in program history. Her day two round was 72 after shooting 77 on Saturday. Oberlander was equally dazzling, following up Saturday’s 81 with a 76 for an overall score of 157. That gave her runner-up honors in the 49-golfer field.

After shooting 325 as a team Saturday at Waverly Municipal Golf Course, the Pioneers answered with a 318 Sunday for an overall score of 643. That was just two shots behind champion Gustavus Adolphus as Grinnell was second in the nine-team field.

Zoe Robinson ’23 and Lauren Chen ’23 also were top 10 finishers for Grinnell. Robinson rebounded from Saturday’s 86 with a 78 to finish at 164, good for eighth place. Chen went 82-84-166 to tie for 10th.

Rounding out Grinnell’s finishers were Aubrie Torhorst ’23 (85-86-171) and Lexi Mueldener ’23 (85-88-173). They finished 17th and 21st, respectively.

The Pioneers travel to Indianola Wednesday for the Simpson College Invite.

Courtesy of pioneers.grinnell.edu

/by

Get Fit – For Clubs That Is…

Club Fitting on Thursday, May 6th from 3 pm – 6 pm

Want to know what the optimal clubhead and shaft are for your swing?  Sign up to get fitted by our very own John Shawver.  John will utilize his years of experience and latest Trackman technology to help you identify swing speeds, launch angles, ball spins and a great deal more analytical gibberish.  The good news is that he can culminate the data for you to identify what equipment will help you hit it further and straighter!

Fitting times are available in 30 minute increments from 3 pm to 6 pm.  Email the Pro Shop to request your FREE appointment!

/by

Grinnell College Golf Course Expands Access with Youth On Course

3/28/2021

Grinnell College Golf Course, through a partnership with the Iowa Golf Association (IGA), is now a host facility for Youth On Course (YOC).  Through strategic partnerships and fundraising efforts, YOC helps subsidize rounds of golf for our youth ages 6-18.  These efforts make golf available for $5 per round for the participants.

This program is available weekday mornings at GCGC.  Parents are encouraged to sign up their youth prior to scheduling a tee time for them.  There is a $15 enrollment fee for the program.  Here are other Iowa golf facilities that are participating:

If you have questions regarding this program, please don’t hesitate to call the Pro Shop at 641-269-3590.

/by

Return To Golf Special at GCGC

Grinnell College Golf Course is reopening after being closed for more than a year!  We look forward to welcoming back our longstanding customers, but also those who are possibly new to the game or “dusting off the clubs”.  Our course is layed out so that it is playable for a wide array of abilities.  We only have 9 holes, but we have 37 teeing locations allowing the course play as short or challenging as you’d like.

(Click on the flyer to learn about our Rates and Return To Golf Special)

21-0518 Golf Course flyer_Color

Come have Fun, We are open for Everyone!

 

/by

Grinnell College Golf Course Facilities and Programming for 2021

Greetings,

I hope this letter finds you safe and well.  Today I write to you about the status of Grinnell College Golf Course and to communicate some operational changes for the upcoming season.  After almost five years of college operation of the golf course we have reviewed our business model and operational costs. To help bring the golf course closer to self-supporting we are instituting some changes.   Also, in response to the public health situation we have moved to a four-tier model for addressing the COVID-19 situation.

Feel free to contact me with any questions about the operational changes outlined below.   Like you, I am looking forward to a great 2021 golf season.

Best Regards,

Shane Hart, GM

Operational Changes for 2021

  • Clubhouse Utilization:  The golf operation will be run out of the Pro Shop on the lower level of the clubhouse.  The rest of the clubhouse space will only be available to those who have reserved the space through our Conference Operations & Events team (call 269-3178 or email calendar@grinnell.edu).  If your requested event requires food or beverage, our events team will connect you with Grinnell College’s Dining Services to discuss catering options.
  • Pool:  The pool will remain closed.
  • Food & Beverage Service:  All food and drink served out of the Pro Shop will be in its original, unopened container.  This includes beverage service; there will be no mixed drink/bar service.  There will be no hot or prepared foods available at the Pro Shop.

Operational Responses to COVID-19 (2021 Season)

Grinnell College has adopted a Campus Activity Level matrix which outlines what types of activities are possible given current campus, local, and regional health concerns.   GCGC, being part of campus, will adhere to this policy.  This matrix will also allow us to quickly adjust our programming to adhere to current safety concerns.


Events = Leagues, Receptions, Meetings, Reunions, and other social functions are still able to be hosted at GCGC up to the given space restrictions.   Bookings will be done through our Conference Operations & Events team at 641-269-3178 or calendar@grinnell.edu

Questions/Answers of how this matrix will impact programming:

  • What Campus Activity Level is the college at right now?
    • As I write this in January 2021, the Campus Activity Level is YELLOW.  
  • Will there be refunds if the pandemic interrupts golf course operation?
    • If the golf course has to close for more than a 10 days, during the golf season, there will be refunds to season pass holders.  Otherwise, there will be no refunds.
  • Can we have leagues?
    • Yes, golf leagues will be available up to the capacity limits within the given color matrix.  
    • After golf social events need to be arranged through our Conference Operations & Events team.  Call 269-3178 or email calendar@grinnell.edu
  • What food and beverages will be available?
    • All foods and snack options will be in their original packaging (not prepared).  The same will apply for drink options.  Non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks will be served in their original, unopened packaging.   There will be no bar service with mixed drinks.
  • Can we have a social after an event or schedule a reception? 
    • Yes, Grinnell College has a catering team and Events team that can help your group schedule your function and outline applicable costs.  Capacities will be limited to the color matrix.
  • If we are in condition yellow and the Pro Shop is closed, how will we golf?
    • An external/outdoor Pro Shop will be set up to assist with the check-in process and very basic sales.
  • How much will season passes and rates be?
  • Has the derecho been cleaned up?
    • There was a significant undertaking to remove 175 trees and prune over 80 others.  The cleanup of the derecho has been completed.
  • I need to have my cart serviced; how do I get it?

/by

Employment Opportunity: Golf Turf Specialist (Superintendent)

Employment Opportunity:  Golf Turf Specialist

Grinnell College is in search of Turf Specialist (Superintendent) to provide high-level maintenance of the turfgrass and grounds at Grinnell College Golf Course, established in 1899.  The course is well known for its excellent greens and tree-lined fairways.  It has received such accolades as:

“The quality of the greens are as good as any I’ve seen in the U.S. and beyond.  And I’ve seen a lot of them working for the PGA.” – Joel Schuchmann, PGA Tour Senior Director of Communications.

The golf course, setting on 56 acres, provides 9 holes with 31 teeing locations providing golfers with various 9-hole and 18-hole playing options.  The course has bluegrass fairways and rough with bentgrass greens and tees.  The facility also has a pool, clubhouse (lounge, pub, banquet space), and a short range.  Duties of the position will include:

  • Keep sophisticated golf course maintenance equipment maintained and repaired to minimize downtime.
  • Provide a quality playing surface for regular play while focusing on improving playability for outings and tournaments
  • Operate within a given budget
  • Maintain and enhance the grounds with an emphasis on environmental sustainability

This position is a 10-month position within the Grinnell College Facilities Management & Teamsters bargaining unit.  Grinnell College offers a very competitive benefits package which will be extended to this position year-round.

To apply for this position please go to https://jobs.grinnell.edu/postings/3330

/by