Golf Course Overview: The Falls at Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort
Insights From An Insider With Rick Bartlett, Golf Operations Manager
By Brian Weis
Local and traveling golfers love to research courses before playing them, whether it is to gain some local knowledge or to set an expectation before their upcoming round. Below is an interview with Rick Bartlett who shares some valuable insight about the property, its most talked about holes and the signature dish/drink to consume at the 19th hole.
How Does Your Course Differ From The Others In The Area?
The Falls Golf course is a links style course designed by the legendary Rees Jones. Spanning over 7100 yards the world class golf course offers panoramic views of the pastoral countryside and includes a 30-foot waterfall that flows into a 12-acre lake, resulting in a memorable golfing experience for golfers of every ability level. It is the only golf course in the area without a single tree on it. Simply stated, there is nothing else like it in the tri-state region.
For someone who has not played the course in awhile, has there been any new changes/renovations to the course or property?
The Falls Golf Course was built in 2014 so we are pretty new and have not made any change/renovations at this time.
What is your course's answer to Amen Corner? (Describe your best/hardest 3 back/back/back holes)
The Falls holes 12, 13, and 14 can be a real challenge. Hole 12 is a lengthy par four playing 480 yards from the tips and usually into a prevailing NW wind. It is essential to hit a long straight ball off the tee followed by a solid fairway shot for a chance at par. Hole 13 is a great par 5 playing 525 yards with fairway bunkers both left and right again hitting a straight tee ball is necessary, playing slightly down hill makes this a possible birdie hole but you better hit it straight. Hole 14 is a risk reward par 4 with a creek running through the fairway from 220 to 250 yards, with a big tee ball its a half wedge and a putt for a birdie, laying up here makes it a challenge with a slightly downhill lie, you need to stay down on the ball or you can blade it right into the creek. Have fun and hit it long and straight.
What is your course's claim to fame, or is there a little known fact that golfers should know about the property?
The Falls Golf course has bent grass Tee boxes, Greens and Fairways so we can mow to a height that gives you a perfect lie every time, all you have to do is keep it in the short grass. "Best New Golf Course of 2014" Golf Digest
What tournaments/events have you (recently) hosted or will be hosting?
2018 US Mid-Amateur qualifier, 2018 US Junior Boys and Girls Amateur, 2020 USGA Senior Amateur qualifier, and the South Dakota State College Invitational.
Besides golf, what other amenities do you offer if a golfer wants to spend most of the day at your facility?
Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort is just that, we have exciting casino gaming, culinary delights, luxurious hotel rooms, top notch entertainment, a relaxing spa and one-of-a-kind shopping. There's nothing else like it in the area.
For the traveling golfer, do you have lodging onsite or partner with any area hotels?
We currently have 97 rooms varying in price depending on the day of the week ranging from $104.95 - $214.95. We are in the process of adding 66 more rooms which will give us a total of 163 total rooms when construction is finished. We also have Stay and Play packages ranging from $219 to $299 depending on the day of the week and availability.
Signature sandwich or drink?
The Big Drop Café offers the - Rosta Dog Basket
1/4 lb. All Beef Hot Dog with Sautéed Onions and Sauerkraut Served with Fries
Social Media Links - Follow The Falls at Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort
Contact Course
The Falls at Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort
1415 Grand Falls Boulevard
Larchwood, Iowa, 51241
712-777-7808
GrandFallsCasinoResort.com
Revised: 12/19/2019 - Article Viewed 14,306 Times
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About: Brian Weis
Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.
All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.
On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.
Contact Brian Weis:
GolfTrips.com - Publisher and Golf Traveler
262-255-7600