The perseverance of Cedar Rapids Country Club was a big reason CBJ readers voted CRCC the Corridor’s Best Golf Course for 2021. Tom Feller, CRCC general manager and director of the club, told gcmonline.com that the club’s quick reaction to the approaching derecho in August 2020 kept all players safe. The derecho did, however, claim […]
The perseverance of Cedar Rapids Country Club was a big reason CBJ readers voted CRCC the Corridor’s Best Golf Course for 2021.
Tom Feller, CRCC general manager and director of the club, told gcmonline.com that the club’s quick reaction to the approaching derecho in August 2020 kept all players safe. The derecho did, however, claim 800 trees on the grounds.
“They were all old, mature trees,” Mr. Feller stated. “We don’t have anything under 60 years old — old oaks, sycamores. We did have some damage to the clubhouse and tennis courts. The whole facility had some damage. Some of the debris did hit the greens, but it’s minimal.”
The course lost power, which was restored four days later.
"Thank God we’re a private club with a great membership. Members are eager to help out any way they can,” Mr. Feller stated. He told gcmonline.com that he and his staff took advantage of the closure to “improve some things we haven’t done in the past.”
The golf course also has plans to upgrade its golf studio, tennis courts and parking lots, said Mr. Feller.
Not only did perseverance help the golf course survive the derecho and pandemic, perseverance also has garnered the golf course several designations. This golf course is the only Donald Ross design course in the state of Iowa and is currently ranked No. 1 in Golf Week best in state rankings and ranked No. 67 in the country in Golf Weeks Top 200 classic courses, according to Mr. Feller.
1st runner up: Elmcrest Country Club
2nd runner up: Finkbine
