See Startechglass.com and solve your commercial glass needs, owner and avid golfer Thomas Startek invites everyone to visit his showroom at 1835 N. Major in Chicago. Call (773)-745-0800, celebrating 25 years in the commercial glass market in the Chicago area.
Written by Rory Spears, Lead Writer and Assistant Editor.
New golf destinations around the Midwest keep popping up. While Spirit Hollow Golf Club in Burlington Iowa isn’t really new. It’s now making a push to Chicagoan’s to come on down and stay and play golf.
The golf course is designed by one of Chicago’s very own architects the Libertyville based Rick Jacobson, back in 2000.
The Par 5, 10th hole at Spirit Hollow from the elevated tee box, golfers can see three holes.
Spirit Hollow isn’t like many of the other Iowa golf courses that are flat. Spirit Hollow has many of it’s holes running in and out of valley that gives the golf course some great elevation change.
The first hole appears to be just a straight out hole, that is until you come to approach shot and you find a downhill second shot into a green. During some parts of the golf course, golfers not from the area will find it hard to believe that they are in Iowa. Out of town golfers will see the farms fields that lead up to the property, and suspect the golf course is just flat. But once you start seeing the holes, you will think differently.
The second shot on the par 4, 1st hole (left) and the second shot from an elevated fairway on the 9th hole. While there are a few holes on the front nine where golfers do see a few homes that are set back from the golf course, most of holes do not have houses on them. Some of the back nine holes have homes way up on top of the ridge with the golf holes running well down below them in the valley.
Golfers will enjoy holes like the par 5 18th hole, that requires two crossing’s of a creek that runs through the ravine. It’s well used and Jacobson’s early days of working with Jack Nicklaus design shine here. Nicklaus is among the best in using creeks in strategic ways, and giving the golf hole a great risk-reward factor.
The par 5, 18th hole (left) is a solid finishing hole. While the par 3, 15th hole (right) is the last par 3 on the golf course and it requires a solid tee shot to carry the water. The par 5’s are the core holes of the golf course, but golfers will enjoy the par 3’s and 4’s.
While Spirit Hollow has some great great Stay & Play deals with the nearby Pzazz resort and Casino, that includes a spa and the Catfish Bend Inn. The stay and play options will soon change at Spirit Hollow.
Spirit Hollow is building in the clubhouse, eight over night rooms that each sleep two people. There will be a private dining area and social area around the fire place for over night guests. For meals you can order a private chef to make them for you or your group.
Eight overnight suites that sleep two each are being built, the club expects them to be completed in Mid to late August. All of the rooms will have views of the golf course, and privates decks or patio’s to enjoy with tables and fire pits. Sign up now and get your package before they start filling up for the fall dates.
Spirit Hollow has great full size practice facilities, and head professional Erin Strieck and the professional staff can tune up your game if it’s in need. So if your ready for a golf getaway, and want to try something a little different. Consider the Hawkeye state, and the new look Spirit Hollow in Burlington Iowa. It’s just 90 minutes south of the Quad Cities.
Visit spirithollowgolfcourse.com or call the course at (319)-752-0004.
Click here to hear Rory’s interview with Erin Strieck head professional at Spirit Hollow Golf Club.