When nature's beauty combines so perfectly with human imagination the outcome is indescribable by mere words. On the other hand, a well crafted and timed picture makes memorializing the otherwise indefinable possible. Such is the case at Iowa's number one golf course, The Harvester Golf Club, in Rhodes, IA.
The 7,340 yard Keith Foster design opened to rave reviews on July 1st, 2000 and has been setting the bar for Iowa golf ever since. "Compared to some of the most famous courses in the world, we recognize that The Harvester is young," stated Harvester's owner Dickson Jensen. "But the course design, the surroundings, and the commitment to tradition all lends to a maturity and a degree of excellence beyond our years."
After a recent trip to The Harvester Golf Club, which is just minutes northeast of Des Moines, I found myself at a loss for words, (a rarity for sure) but not on how to tell Harvester's bold story. Therefore I have enlisted the help of golf photographer Joel Randall and Harvester's Head Golf Professional John Haberman. Between these two highly skilled golf aficionados, it is my hope you'll understand what makes The Harvester Golf Club so distinctive and a course that must be added to anyone's Bucket List.
Below you will be treated to four panoramic images of the finest collection of par-3's I've experienced in a long time followed by a description by their 4th year head pro on what makes them so memorable.
#3, 165 yards - "Humble Crossing" The golfer is presented with a slightly downhill tee shot over one of Harvester's beautiful water features. A new sod-wall bunker on the left will collect any "long left" shot that bails away from the water in front of and right of the green. Accuracy is a must on this tee shot due to the ridge that runs directly through the middle of the green. #8, 185 yards - "Serendipity"
With Lake Harvester as the backdrop, this shot requires a precisely placed iron depending on the location of the pin. The hole features a front-left bunker and a green that slopes from left to right, making it difficult to get to a front left pin. That slope can also create some excitement for a back-right pin as balls will funnel towards to the hole. A true delight for those who like to shape their shots!
#14, 180 yards - "The Ridge" The Harvester offers variety on this par-3 due to two separate teeing areas. This downhill par-3 requires distance control from both tees due to a split-level green. This severely sloped green will get your attention as you approach the putting surface and demands every ounce of touch. Par here is a great score.
#17, 165 yards - "The Thresher" The par-3 17th at The Harvester might be the most daunting of our three finishing holes. A new limestone walls lines the green from Lake Harvester. A collection area and greenside bunker on the left collect those who "bail out" from the water. A three level green requires perfect distance control depending on the hole location that day. Our back-right "Sunday Pin" might be the hardest shot on our course. To get it close, you would have to hit you 170 yard tee shot within a 15 foot circle.
In conclusion, there is something magical about traveling seven hours from home to play a property so highly thought of by the golf media that has been rated Iowa's best golf course basically since the minute it opened. And after enjoying four hours of solitude and splendor, I can say only one thing - every golf writer that played Harvester GC in Rhodes, IA before me was dead solid perfect.
For more information on The Harvester Golf Club, visit their website at www.harvestergolf.com or call (641) 227-4653.
