Ironhorse Golf Club in Tuscola, Ill. too arrogant

We happen to live on Ironhorse Golf Course, and can tell you that many of the folks living on the course are unhappy with the new changes as well. Rates have been increased so that it is impractical to play the course-it is a shame, the course is really nice...

I can not and will not get into a debate with a guy (Tim McDonald) who buys ink by the barrel because his job is to write about whatever he can find to fill his column. I have a job to do and it isn't to defend myself to a guy who has little idea about actually running a golf facility. But I will answer a few of the items that I have seen in these articles and comments.

A. Ironhorse has struggled to survive from the day it was built. Obviously, signing on for every coupon and discount offer has not worked. If that idea was working, why was the course for sale?

B. My original opinion of the review was voiced to Kiel Christianson, I simply stated that some of his observations weren't quite accurate. All of a sudden the "critiquers" are allowed to be critiqued. Why can they give their opinions on courses, but courses can't give their opinion about the review?

C. As far as living on the course and it being "impractical to play," all I would say to that is that every house on this course is nicer than the one I live in, leading me to believe that it isn't that they "can't afford" it, it's that they don't want to pay the price that is required to play a NICE facility. We are no longer catering to the golfer looking for the lowest price around...that approach hasn't worked for Ironhorse in the past, how about we try a new approach and maybe there won't be new owners moving into town every 2-3 years. Don't you want some consistency?

I'll do my best to make Ironhorse succesful, I am sorry if that doesn't please everyone, however, the players that I have on a daily basis...I do believe they enjoy their experience. Does anyone see a comment from someone who has actually played?

Thank you for your time and space.

Jerry Williams
PGA Director of Golf Ironhorse GC

Has anyone noticed that the actual price last year to play was $39.50 w/o any coupon, and the club house looked like a discount shop. The new Ironhorse is great deal for what all has been done to it. The Price went up to $45 an increase of $5.50. Plus you get to ride in brand new golf carts, have drinks in a place were you want to have drinks, and enjoy watching your favorite sporting team in the Grille on one of the five 42inch plasma. In all I enjoyed my golfing experience at Ironhorse, and plan on visiting as often as possible.

Ironhorse is a great track & terrific layout. The maintenance of the course has changed in the past six months-obviously for the better. Pricing has changed, but $45.00 for a round of golf on this caliber of design is worth the price. Most of the complaints I have heard were not from the daily fee golfer, but rather from those of us that formerly were members of the previous Ironhorse Golf Course. The former membership fee was a bargin. The new membership fee is cause for evaluation on each individuals part. Bottom line......it is a great place to play golf. If Tim McDonald were to visit, I'm quite certain he would agree. I'd welcome him into our group to convince him that the words arrogant & Tuscola, IL do not need to be included in the same sentence.

Tim McWho???????? Who has ever heard of this guy?

I played Ironhorse Golf Course last year and enjoyed it very much. The price was reasonable for that area.

The price of $45.00 is a little stiff for that area. $35.00 would be a reasonable price to get more people playing.

I would say two or three years from now you will be begging for golfers.


The same thing has happen here in Howell, Mi. and the prices have dropped from $45.00 to $25.00 just to get golfers on their coarse.



Jack Spraggins

I played Ironhorse Golf Course last year and enjoyed it very much. The price was reasonable for that area.

The price of $45.00 is a little stiff for that area. $35.00 would be a reasonable price to get more people playing.

I would say two or three years from now you will be begging for golfers.


The same thing has happen here in Howell, Mi. and the prices have dropped from $45.00 to $25.00 just to get golfers on their course.



Jack Spraggins

Tuscola has always tried to be more than it is for some reason. Ask prople from other towns around there, and they will all agree that the town is ruined by a few snobbish families who have no good reason to think they are better than everyone else. and guess where most of them live...You live in the middle of corn fields, for god's sake.

I was introduced to the Ironhorse course via a discount coupon. Several of us from Indiana play lots of golf using the American Lung Associasion Booklet. This year they stopped accepting it, BUT the course is well worth the price with or without a discount. The staff is VERY professional and the course and equipment are well maintained. Senior discounts and seasonal rates are provided. I heading that way with a group this weekend. If you stay away you're missing a great golf course. It's ashamed some people can't stand progress and some journalists can't stand being questioned.

Yes the track is nice, always has been a different golf experience. The course can change dramatically with a change in wind. But the former "bargain priced" members have blown away to other courses and clubs. In my opinion most golfers will show up to play with a few things on their mind: Bucket of balls, wheres the cart, drink, restroom, first tee, and away. This new "upscale" golf experience has not affected that in any way. Except that I drive "from" Tuscola to experience a friendly greeting from another course. The rates at Ironhorse are still a bargain in Chicago. But the last I looked we are still in Tuscola. Mr. Williams could you fix that. Perhaps a video of Michigan Ave. on that big honkin plasma screen. Alright I have vented. So come all you golfers from afar. The locals aren't in your way anymore.