April 22, 2008
Written by Kevin Wohlford
Grass growing strong
A few warm days and some rain is all it takes. The grass is awake and stretching for the sky. But we are ready with our mowers. Poor grass!
Say Hello to Tom!
Those of you with season passes may have to show them when you sign in. We have some new help in the clubhouse. Our new morning man is Tom Bylund from Eldridge. He just retired from a career with the city of Davenport, but still wants to keep busy. We are blessed to have people like Tom.
First hole-in-one of the season!
April 19th, Kevin Rudd of Bettendorf fired his ball off the 3rd tee with a 3-iron. His ball struck the pin on the fly and fell down right into the hole!
Witnessed by Jack Darland.
Clubhouse help still wanted
Students and teachers: we love you but sorry, we can't wait until June, and we can't have everyone leaving in August.
Are you cheerful? Do you love to talk? Can you do ten things at the same time? Are you reliable and honest? Can you work weekends if necessary? Are you at least 18? Are you reliable and honest? Did I mention the reliable and honest part?
I need one more person to check in golfers, sell beer and concessions, manage the first tee, move carts, stock product and keep things clean. Most importantly, I need someone to add the human element to our operation. More than anything else, people remember people. The experience of playing golf at Rustic Ridge begins with the smiling person they meet in the clubhouse.
Pay begins at $8.00 plus tips. Tips at certain times can be substantial depending on how well you serve. Perks for those working at least 20 hours per week include free golf, half price cart, free coffee and fountain pop.
Call Kevin Wohlford at 309-314-1856.
ARCHIVED, BUT STILL RELEVANT NEWS ITEMS FOLLOW BELOW
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! Call now for a rate sheet/application, and when you send it in, include a note saying where you would like the membership card mailed (if not to the recipient).
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 membership. Here is an idea: Get a gift certificate for $15.00. That is enough for the Iowa Golf Association's handicapping service.
The best time to stop by the course is early in the morning. Knock on the maintenance shop door, and see Rickey. He can provide forms, or sell you a gift certificate.
Five Holes-in-one for 2007
1. Roger Finnegan
2. Dick Reyhons
3. Brian McKee
4. Jon Soike
5. Bill White
Way to go, guys! This is proof that some EXCELLENT golfers choose to golf right here in beautiful Eldridge, Iowa.
Those donating funds or improvements to Rustic Ridge in the 2007 season include:
1. Dorothy Kelley
2. Father Hynes
3. Dick Reyhons
4. Bob Haack
5. The Beert Family
We, the Wohlfords, wish to thank you sincerely for your kind and generous contributions to this golf course.
Although I am the one thanking you, I must say that I really don't consider this my land. It is God's land and I am only taking care of it for a few years. Like everyone else, we will release all the earthly treasures that we own to those who follow us. The improvements you made to this course are really gifts to everyone who will come here and play in the future.
It's Official
Rustic Ridge now has an official USGA course rating and slope for men and women. To be honest, this is the first time we have ever complied with the stringent USGA rules regarding handicapping.
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 $15.00. 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 take your personal USGA handicap index to any USGA rated course in the world. Remember: It must be a USGA rated course!
When you arrive at the golf course, convert your handicap index into a "course handicap". This is where slope comes in. Your course index is your handicap index multiplied by (slope/113). Then round it to the nearest whole number. To make it easy, most courses will have a handy conversion table posted in their clubhouse. The course handicap is the number of strokes you knock off your score at that course. Higher slopes give you more relief (tougher course).
Then play golf. When you are done with your round, you reduce your score accordingly. If you beat the rating, which is like beating a pro, then you had a good day! You can also compare your handicapped score with your buddies' handicapped scores. Loser buys the drinks!
It's a little more complicated than bowling, and it isn't perfect, but it works.
NEW 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
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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.
