Cedar Rapids Country Club
Cedar Rapids, IA•Private
Awards
Panelists Score
Cedar Rapids Country Club
550 27th Street Dr SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403-1698
United States
Overview
For decades, Cedar Rapids Country Club had the feel of a classic parkland design, with sturdy rough bordering narrow, tightly tree-lined fairways. That began to change in 2014 when veteran architect Ron Prichard and then-associate Tyler Rae were hired to renovate the course. Leaning into the tenets of its 1914 Donald Ross design (Ross had remodeled a course Tom Bendelow originally laid out), they thinned the forests, widened fairways and greens and re-bunkered significant portions of the course. That got Cedar Rapids partly back to looking like it did 100 years ago. A major derecho—a system of violent, sweeping storms—in 2020 did the rest of the job by clearing out hundreds of remaining trees and damaging other parts of the property. Ultimately, once stitched back together by Prichard, it was a benefit as holes that were previously buttoned up in dense woods now ramble through lovely portions of meadow and prairie.
About
Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“A very solid Donald Ross routing. I loved the downhill second shot on number two. Ross made excellent use of the pesky creek running through the property."
Read More2024
Review
“The renovation post storm has removed more trees and added run off chipping areas around a few of the greens really increasing the shot options and aiding in firm and fast conditions. Super fun course to play!"
Read More2024
Review
“Fantastic course utilizing the hill and river bed. Excellent conditioning that continues to improve as the trees have been removed. A unique course that should be celebrated more than it has been to date."
Read More2024
Review
“A well-conditioned, fun course with great character and challenge. Two different nines offering a variety of shot options."
Read More2024
Review
“Cedar Rapids Country Club is a fabulous Donald Ross course that is really shining now due to some great tree removal and restoration work by Ron Prichard. The course moves across rolling hills and a river valley and makes great use of Indian Creek as it winds across the property. The mound that the 14th green sits atop is one of the most unique features on a golf course I have seen. A really wonderful course and fun place to play."
Read More2023
Review
“Recent restoration has been well-done and exposes a quality Donald Ross design. Fun club too!"
Read More2018
Review
“Excellent opening & closing holes with some indifferent ones in between. Not overly scenic but a course that is straightforward and easy to enjoy."
Read More2018
Review
“One of the best Ross courses in the country. Great restoration work by Ron Prichard"
Read More2018
