Ellis Golf Course
Ellis Golf Course in the Cedar Rapids Iowa area is known as the ‘Crown Jewel” of the community. With the beautiful landscape, generous fairways, and changing greens, Ellis provides an unforgettable golfing experience. Many golfers frequent this course primarily because of its history and contemporary design. This golf course is a city gem with a clubhouse sitting on the top of the hill overlooking the Cedar River.
The golf course was designed by William Langford originally. In 1919 it was opened for play as a 9-hole course, and by 1948-49 the back nine was added. This golf course is one of the oldest and most challenging courses in the state. The layout will demand every club in your bag and be an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. Another unique feature of the golf course is that golfers will usually see wildlife on the back nine, such as the whitetail deer, fox, heron and an occasional eagle. The scenic back nine have a continuous cart path and is easier to walk for the fitness enthusiast playing golf. This was a part of the renovations completed in 2003 by the Bruce Company of Wisconsin Inc. The golf course provides several services, such as golf lessons and golf products for sale on site.
Ellis golf course also pays tribute to the American golfer Payne Stewart. In 2001, with a donation from an anonymous golfer, a wooden sculpture of Payne Stewert was erected. It initially looked over the 9th green near the clubhouse but now resides inside it for preservation purposes. The clubhouse is a great place to relax after a game. The large curtain wall windows provide beautiful views of the golf course. Despite the Deroche that destroyed the clubhouse and 850 of its trees in 2008, the Ellis golf course has persevered. The community has come together to rebuild and renovate the course, cementing the love for golf.
Cedar Rapids City Council has approved plans to rebuild the clubhouse by April 2022; they have an estimated 2.1 million budget for this project. The clubhouse will be larger to support bigger events in the community and make it ADA-accessible. This project will allow the state to host golf tournaments, making it the city’s “premier golf course.” This project hopes to fuel the economic development in Cedar Rapids by not only providing space for golfers but small businesses as well. Caterers, flower shops, and other small vendors now have another venue to thrive.