The 2010 Iowa PGA Junior Tour Championship was held on Monday, August 2 and Tuesday, August 3 at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake. There were 107 participants ages 21 & under at this season ending Major Point Event. Thanks to all who played for their patience as we had a 2 1/2 hour rain delay. Special thanks to head PGA Professional Darin Fisher, Assistant PGA Brent Deem and the entire Preserve staff for their efforts and hard work for this event. Congratulations to all juniors who participating this summer. The 2010 Iowa PGA Junior Tour Championship was held on Monday, August 2 and Tuesday, August 3 at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake. There were 107 participants ages 21 & under at this season ending Major Point Event.

Thanks to all who played for their patience as we had a 2 1/2 hour rain delay. Special thanks to head PGA Professional Darin Fisher, Assistant PGA Brent Deem and the entire Preserve staff for their efforts and hard work for this event. Congratulations to all juniors who participating this summer.

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According to Jeremie Slagle, general manager of the resort, Honey Creek is hosting several special events and overnight packages. Two events in March include a Jazz, Wine and Brew Fest on Saturday, March 14, and a “Spring Break at the Lake” special package from now through the end of March.

The jazz festival will feature wine and beer tasting from 13 Iowa wineries, four brewers, Templeton Rye Distillery and music from the jazz group Ashanti. Chef Patrick Koffman will prepare special food and cheese parings. Cost to attend the festival is $25 per person.

“We are so excited to feature Iowa wineries and entertainment,” said Slagle. “We think people will really appreciate a chance to escape the winter blues, enjoy themselves at the fest, and experience the beautiful setting of our lakeshore resort.”

Families looking for an affordable spring break getaway, or just an escape from winter, can take advantage of the resort’s Spring Break at the Lake special. For as low as $89/night for a standard room, families can stay at the resort and receive four free water park passes. Programs by state park interpreters will include Fireside Chats on Friday nights and Nature Arts and Crafts on Saturdays throughout March.

“From a family friendly menu in the restaurant, to nature activities for kids, to the arcade in the Buccaneer Bay water park, Honey Creek is the perfect, close-to-home destination for families,” said Slagle.

Interest in Honey Creek’s amenities is steadily growing, as more visitors experience what Honey Creek has to offer, according to Lee Fundanet, Director of Operations for Central Group Companies, which manages the resort.

“We’ve had great interest in our special events,” said Fundanet. “As an example, a Valentine’s package for this weekend has completely booked the hotel with overnight stays this Saturday, and mostly booked the Friday night prior.”

Currently, every Saturday night in February and the first two Saturdays in March are completely booked. Friday nights, week nights and the Saturdays of March 21 and 28 still have rooms available.

According to Slagle, the resort has been receiving room reservations at a fast pace. In the week of Feb. 2-9 alone, resort staff booked more than 800 reservations. The resort’s web site has received more than 75,000 hits since the resort opened. Many guests are looking forward to summer; the 28 new cabins, which will open in early summer, are 76 percent booked for the month of July.

For more information on special events, packages and nature programs, go to www.honeycreekresort.com

The brewers at the Jazz, Wine and Brew Fest include Raccoon River Brewing Company, Des Moines; Rock Bottom Brewery, West Des Moines; Granite City Brewing Company, West Des Moines and the Iowa Brewers Union. The Iowa wineries include: Fireside Winery, Marengo; Grape Escape Vineyard and Winery, Pleasantville; Heartland Harvest Winery, Fort Madison; Jasper Winery, Newton; Johnson Brothers, Des Moines; La Vida Loca, Indianola; Rosey Acres Winery, Runnells; Snus Hill Vineyard & Winery, Madrid; Southern Hills Winery, Osceola; Summerset Winery, Indianola; Tabor Home Vineyard and Winery, Baldwin; Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton. Additionally, Templeton Rye Whiskey, Templeton, will be at the event.

About Honey Creek Resort State Park

Honey Creek Resort State Park offers 105 guest rooms and suites, a 6,500 square foot convention center, 18-hole championship golf course, 15,000 square foot indoor water park, dining, an RV park and a variety of exciting outdoor adventures with interpretive programs and activities. Twenty-eight guest cabins will be open in spring 2009.

Driving directions:

Located on Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Honey Creek Resort is just 20 minutes north of Centerville, 35 minutes southwest of Ottumwa and 95 miles southeast of Des Moines. Visitors can get there by taking Highway 5 to Moravia and turning west on County Road J18.

From Des Moines: From Interstate 35 south of Des Moines, take Highway 5 southeast through Albia. Turn west (right) at Moravia onto County Road J18. Turn left (south) on 185th Ave.

From southern Iowa and Missouri: Take Highway 5 north through Centerville. Turn west (left) onto County Road J18. Turn left (south) on 185th Ave.

From Interstate 80 (Iowa City): Take Highway 218/Exit 239 south from Iowa City. Turn west (right) onto Highway 34. Turn south (left) Albia onto Highway 5. Turn west (right) at Moravia onto County Road J18. Turn left (south) on 185th Ave.

The Honey Creek BOW workshop will offer classes in basic firearms, shooting, archery, camping, bird watching, kayaking, canoeing, Dutch oven cooking, turkey hunting, basic motor boat, lake fishing, fly fishing and geocaching. Classes run between three and four hours each and are intended to give participants confidence a particular skill. Class size is kept small to allow for plenty of hands-on activity.
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is an international program offering anyone 18 years or older the opportunity to learn new skills usually associated with hunting and fishing, but useful in many outdoor pursuits. The DNR has been sponsoring BOW workshops in Iowa since 1994.

“We really hope women will grab a friend or relative and come spend the weekend with us and check out the resort,” says Sparks. “Our workshops are a very non-intimidating, comfortable way to learn a new skill, not to mention a whole lot of fun.”

Honey Creek Resort State Park opened in 2008 and is the first of its kind in Iowa’s state parks system. The resort features a 105-room hotel and lodge, 28 cottages, a water park, restaurant and 18-hole championship golf course, all located on the north shore of Rathbun Lake in south-central Iowa. To learn more about the resort and its amenities, visit Honey Creek Resort.

To download a Honey Creek BOW registration form go to Iowa DNR web site and click on “camps and workshops” then “BOW.” For more information about the BOW program or workshop, contact Julie Sparks at julie.sparks@dnr.iowa.gov or at (515) 281-6159.

Media contact: Julie Sparks at julie.sparks@dnr.iowa.gov or at (515) 281-6159.

“If you build it, they will come.” This famous line from the motion picture Field of Dreams applies just as much to the new bent grass fairways nestled along Rathbun Lake’s shoreline as it does to the fictional Dyersville baseball diamond that was portrayed in the 1989 hit movie. The links-style course near Moravia is attracting golfers from every corner of Iowa and, more importantly, from surrounding states.

According to Darin Fisher, The Preserve’s PGA Professional, the positive economic impact resulting from the influx of visitors to Honey Creek Resort State Park is just

beginning. Designed by renowned architect Kevin Norby, The Preserve is quickly becoming a favorite among golfers of all skill levels and was recently recognized as one of the best new public courses in the United States by several leading golf publications. The honors include runner-up status as Development of the Year from Golf, Inc.; honorable mention as one of the nation’s top new courses from Golf Magazine; and a top 10 ranking from Golf Digest in its January 2010 edition.

“Although we encountered some construction delays prior to opening due to weather conditions, the word is quickly spreading that we have a world-class facility right here in southern Iowa,” Fisher said.” Judging by the license plates of cars in the parking lot last summer, we’re drawing visitors from across the Midwest.”

Fisher points out that all 18 holes of The Preserve stay true to its name because the course was carefully designed and built to maximize the unique southern Iowa terrain and beautiful lake views while maintaining an eco-friendly balance.

“The Iowa Department of Natural Resources knows the importance of sustainability. That’s why every inch of this course is designed to incorporate as much of the existing landscape as possible with little to no adverse effects on the surrounding environment,” Fisher said. “In fact, fewer than 200,000 cubic yards of dirt was moved during the construction phase.” Course Superintendent Erik Hansen and the grounds keeping staff are currently working to achieve Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

Program certification which recognizes practices that limit the potentially harmful impacts of golf course operations. “At the end of the day, our goal is to be good stewards of the land,” added Fisher.

Because Iowa ranks among the highest for number of golf courses per capita, competition for customers is fierce. That’s why Fisher directs his staff to provide a level of service that is second to none. “Earning repeat business starts with great employees delivering extraordinary service,” Fisher said. “We strive to give each guest a ‘country club’ experience at a value price.” Golfers recognize the extra service the moment they arrive at the clubhouse. Cart attendants meet each guest in the parking lot to assist in unloading clubs and gear. “First impressions set the tone for the day,” Fisher said. At the end of a round, players are greeted on the 18th green and enjoy convenient cart return and free club cleaning prior to heading home.

A key factor in the growing success of the course and resort complex is the financial support received from the local community. Peoples State Bank is the official sponsor of Hole #1 and a sponsor of the golf cart GPS system. “The generous support provided by Peoples State Bank has been instrumental in turning the dream of The Preserve into reality,” Fisher said. With all of the challenges Fisher faced to launch The Preserve to a successful first full season, he still found time to organize a boys and girls golf team at Moravia High School in 2009 - the first in the school’s history. He also successfully coordinated a series of “9 and Wine” couples events that featured the products of nearby Iowa wineries. More special events are in the works for the 2010 season, including corporate outings and amateur tournaments.

So what’s a golf pro to do during the cold and snowy Iowa winter months? Plenty, according to Fisher. He’s busy refining the clubhouse food and apparel offerings, as well as attending industry trade shows to attract out-of-state players and help build a steady stream of corporate customers. His ultimate goal is to transform The Preserve into one of the Midwest’s top golf destinations. A native of Nashua, Iowa, Fisher is a 1997 graduate of Central College. He and his wife, Jeni, live in Albia and have three children, ages 6, 4 and 2. His previous professional experience includes positions at golf courses in Missouri, Des Moines, the Amana Colonies and Pella.

Residents in the five-county area surrounding The Preserve can receive discounted rates during the 2010 season by presenting valid identification.

For more information and to reserve tee times, call (641) 724-1400 or visit www.honeycreekresort.com and click on “The Preserve” link.

Wedding Show Individual Booth Space Pricing

Sunday, January 24, 2010
11:00am to 3:00pm

PREMIUM SPACE -$125

1-8’x2’ table, topped, skirted and 2 chairs
Electrical power is an additional fee of $25
Vendors may sell directly to the public at the show

PLATINUM SPACE -$200

1-8’x2’ table, topped, skirted in premium high traffic locations near runway – limited quantity. Includes 2 chairs
Electrical power is an additional fee of $25
Vendors may sell directly to the public at the show

Booth and tables are rented on a first come basis to all vendors. Booths and tables are not confirmed until full payment has been received. Honey Creek Resort will be giving away prizes. Vendors may choose to participate in giveaways to gain additional exposure and marketing opportunities. Prizes will be awarded on stage. The giveaways will begin at 11:00 am and end with the last drawing at 3:00 pm.

The show will give each bride or groom a registration card. Name, address, phone number, e-mail, and wedding date must be filled out. All of this information is required in order to be eligible for the prize drawings to be held on January 24 2010, need not be present to win.

The show will do special advertising to promote prizes.

Package Includes:
Extensive advertisement of the bridal show in newspapers and radio, posters, etc.
Listing on our website.

Sponsorship
We would like to offer the opportunity for vendors to be sponsors of “The Hidden Gem Bridal Show.”

The sponsorship fee is $250 in addition to your booth fee.

Sponsorship includes:
Your business name on radio announcements
Special recognition during the bridal show
Your business name on print ads

Booth information please  contact  Mallory Downs at 641.724.1433

• Golf Digest has named The Preserve in the “Top 10 Best New Public Courses 2009.”

• Golf magazine selected The Preserve as an Honorable Mention for “Best New Courses You Can Play 2009,”

• Golf Inc. magazine chose the course as runner-up for “Development of the Year for U.S. Courses” in 2009.

The 18-hole golf course is nestled on an 800-acre campus on the north shore of Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, about 95 miles south of Des Moines. The course features carefully designed hole and fairway placements to enhance the natural landscapes of prairie and oak savanna, while taking full advantage of beautiful lake vistas.

“This course offers something for every golfer in a very unique setting,” said Director of Golf Darin Fisher. “With multiple tee locations, we can challenge the low handicapper and allow novices to enjoy themselves and achieve success, all on the same day.”

According to Fisher, the bent grass tees and fairways are elements of a prestigious golf course while the modest green fees ensure affordability.

“We are extremely proud of the course and see it as a great value for Iowa golfers,” said Fisher. “We are grateful for the accolades that have come our way and will continue the hard work to continually maintain and improve the quality of the course.”

The Preserve was designed by architect Kevin Norby of Herfort-Norby Golf Course Architects, Chaska, Minn., and built by Duininck Golf of Prinsburg, Minn.

The Preserve offers a driving range, putting green and Club Car golf carts equipped with the latest GPS technology. Visitors to Honey Creek Resort State Park can take advantage of several golf packages or make reservations by visiting the website www.honeycreekresort.com or calling (877) 677-3344.

MORAVIA - The Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, a group of over 100 outdoor/travel media members, has selected Honey Creek Resort State Park as the destination of the annual AGLOW conference in late September of 2011.

Members of Honey Creek Resort State Park recently attended the 2009 AGLOW Conference in Gaylord, MI, bidding against Convention and Visitor’s Bureaus from Osh Kosh, WI and LaPorte County, IN.  At the completion of the conference, Honey Creek Resort was named the selection for the 2011 event.

“We’re very excited and honored to be chosen by the AGLOW members and board as the destination for the 2011 conference,” commented Honey Creek Resort State Park General Manager Jeremie Slagle.  “Not only is the week-long event great for Honey Creek Resort, but each writer will contribute an average of five outdoor articles to some of the top publications in the midwest and the United States, which will benefit the entire south central Iowa area.”

Board members of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers will be traveling to Honey Creek Resort in mid-October for a site visit and to begin planning for the 2011 event.

For more information regarding Honey Creek Resort State Park, visit www.honeycreekresort.com
For more information on AGLOW, visit www.aglow.info

MORAVIA - Honey Creek Resort State Park, located on Rathbun Lake, will be hosting cooking classes every other week beginning Saturday, Oct. 17.

Conducted by Honey Creek Resort Executive Chef Patrick Koffman.

Koffman will be recreating some of the Lakeshore Grille’s signature dishes, and there is no charge to attend the classes.

For more information, or to register, contact Honey Creek Resort Activities Director Mallory Downs at 641-724-1433.