Updated: June 27, 2010 by Kevin Wohlford
New Clubhouse Open for Business!
You just have to see it to appreciate it!
The upper level is now your destination for golf check-in, bar
sitting, game watching, and soon: eating!
Yes, that's right. A local chef is now building a kitchen in our clubhouse and will be offering a full menu.
Keep watching here for more details as plans come together.
CLUBHOUSE BEFORE REMODELING. Upper level: the banquet hall. Lower level (around back) is where you enter for bar and golf check-in.
CLUBHOUSE DURING FRAMING. Roof trusses are being craned into position. Even with all this going on, the lower level is still open for golfers. Thank God, it did not rain during this stage.
CLUBHOUSE ON THE MORNING OF OUR FIRST SNOW. 12-7-09. Joe Nissen and Jim Timmerman have been donating time on the decking.
New parking lot
The pot holes are gone. The loose rocks are gone. In its place, is virgin-smooth, black asphalt, painted with yellow stripes.
What is Hillbilly Golf?
The latest craze in for-fun outings is "hillbilly golf". Want to shoot a 27 (nine birdies)? Want to ace hole three? Here is how it works.
Hillbilly golf is ordinary four-person preferred lie with a twist. Once on each hole, your group gets to improve the team's lie without penalty. On the lie of your choice, each player can toss it, roll it, kick it, or throw it. You just can't hit it with a club.
Suppose one of the tee shots lands on the green (par 3 hole). Then each person in your group will try and toss or roll it into the cup for an ace.
The Eldridge Chamber of Commerce has been sponsoring a hillbilly golf tournament in each of the last three seasons. This year, our team shot a 29. It was hillarious! Look for sign-up sheets in the clubhouse next year and join us!
Give the gift of golf
What makes a golfer smile so huge, that it touches both ears? A season pass to Rustic Ridge Golf Course, of course!
Can't afford a season pass? How about a gift certificate? We can write any amount. It can be used like cash at our clubhouse or applied towards a season pass.
The best time to stop by the course is early in the morning. If the clubhouse is closed, knock on the maintenance shop door, and see Rickey. He can provide forms, or sell you a gift certificate.
It's Official
What does Rustic Ridge have in common with Crow Valley Country Club, Davenport Country Club and Pebble Creek Golf Course?
Right, they are all excellent golf courses. But what else?
We are members of the IGA.
As members of the Iowa Golf Association, these three local Iowa courses have official authorization to offer you a genuine USGA handicap.
Why did we go through the trouble?
Bowling alleys are all alike. If you average 189 points per game at Podunk Lanes, you should be able to go to any bowling alley in the world, and bowl with the same expectations.
But no two golf courses are alike. On one end, you've got shorter, beginner courses like Red Hawk Golf Course. On the other, you've got very difficult, longer courses like Pebble Creek Golf Course. How do you compare scores from course to course?
The USGA has devised a way for courses to be equalized. In order for this to work, the course has to be USGA rated, and the golfer has to have a USGA handicap index. We are doing this in an effort to service our customers as well as we can.
Here is what you do:
First, get a USGA handicap index. Only a USGA sanctioned club can give you a genuine USGA handicap index. Stop by Rustic Ridge and join our chapter of the Iowa Golf Association, which is an officially sanctioned by the USGA. It's only $20.00. That's as cheap as you will find anywhere. You will need to play several rounds to establish a handicap index. You must count all rounds, and you must be honest. Your scores will be available for others to see, and dishonest scores can be challenged by those of us wanting to preserve the integrity of the handicap system. You can enter your scores on the clubhouse computer or on the internet. Results are updated every two weeks.
Once done, you can equalize any USGA rated course in the world. Remember: It must be a USGA rated course! You can also enter handicapped tournaments held at those courses.
When you arrive at the golf course, convert your USGA handicap index into a "course handicap". The course handicap is the number of strokes you knock off your score at that course. Courses with higher slopes give you more relief (tougher course).
Then play golf. When you are done with your round, you reduce your score accordingly. Then compare your score with the course rating. If you beat the course rating, which is like beating a pro, then you had a good day! You can also compare your handicapped score with your buddies' handicapped score. Loser buys the drinks!
It's a little more complicated than bowling, and it isn't perfect, but it works.
RATING AND SLOPE FOR RUSTIC RIDGE
Rating Slope
Blue tees 34.9 115
White tees 34.3 110
Yellow tees 33.6 109
Women (red) 35.2 118
-------------------------------------
If you would like to post an announcement, a news item, a joke, or a photo, please send me an Email. Kevin@GolfRusticRidge.com.
Be advised, however, that we reserve the right to control all content of this page.
