At Deer Meadows, Developer Projects Green From Greens

Charlie Spencer has played golf since he was a kid. He likes the game, but, by his own admission, is far from passionate about it.

So what is Charlie Spencer doing with his own golf course?

Trying to sell real estate, of course.

“It’s strictly a business deal,” explained Spencer, who, along with his wife, Gloria, own and operate Deer Meadows Golf Course. “We just started (the course) so it would help sell the residential lots around here.”

Spencer and his wife also own Turf Realty. About 12 years ago, the Spencers and another couple invested in nearly 640 acres of land near the south end of Lake Roosevelt, about 10 miles north of Davenport.

But when lot sales failed to take off, the two couples decided to build a golf course, in hopes of luring more permanent residents to the area, long a favorite of boaters, fishermen and hunters.

Deer Meadows opened as a nine-hole course in 1994 and was expanded to 18 holes last year.

Monday, a friend an I made the 90-minute drive - with major road construction delays factored in - to Deer Meadows to see what Spencer’s golf course was all about.

What we found was a countrified 6,267-yard layout that often crossed the thin line between interesting and peculiar.

It was designed by Spencer and his former business associate, George Livingston, who has since left the partnership.

“But I guess you can blame most of it on me,” Spencer said.

The infant course sits on 70 acres of relatively flat terrain and affords some stunning views of Lake Roosevelt and the surrounding foothills.

It offers several splendid holes, including the 452-yard 15th, which ranks among the most difficult par-4s in the region. The hole swings gently to the left and features a small drainage canal that crosses the fairway about 100 yards in front of an expansive, elevated green that slopes deceivingly downward from back to front.

There are also a couple of testy par-5s, and a challenging, uphill par-3 finishing hole that will play anywhere between 145 and 175 yards once the rebuilt green - originally too steep to hold even the best-stuck shots - is re-opened later this summer.

In addition, the Spencers have built a unique and modest 16-unit motel adjacent to the practice green and No. 1 tee box. The three-level structure also houses the pro shop, banquet room, restuarant and lounge.

Still, Charlie Spencer’s golf course will never be mistaken for Pine Valley Country Club.

Tee boxes are nothing more than narrow strips of closely cropped grass at the start of each fairway. Too many holes parallel one another, which can make for some dicey moments when golfers pass on a course nearly devoid of trees.

And the fairways on the front nine, which was the last nine to open, are still spotty and plagued by areas of hardpan around the greens that make chipping a hit-and-hope proposition.

But what makes the trip to Deer Meadows, and a leisurely trek around the easy walking course so refreshing is the fact that Charlie Spencer accepts all of his course’s shortcomings.

“I get some complaints, I get some compliments,” he said. “It’s still a new course. The deer ate up all the seedlings we planted and our new trees haven’t grown up, yet, and the fairways on the front nine are a little rough.

“But I think our greens are fairly good, and the fairways on the back are coming along.”

The day I played, the greens were shaggy, but plush, and receptive to most approach shots.

Still, I enjoyed the relaxing round, which was played under partly cloudy skies and with only a handful of other players on the course - most of whom were wearing mesh hats with heavy machinery logos on the front.

It wasn’t the golfing experience of a lifetime, but it was a down-home, no-frills golfing experience that an Iowa-born and bred guy like myself can appreciate.

And it was reasonably priced.

Green fees are $16 for 18 holes and $10 for nine. A yearlong family membership costs just $450, and the Spencers offer some stay-and-play packages that border on unrealistic.

For just $98, for instance, two persons can spend a night in the motel, eat a complimentary breakfast and play 18 holes of golf - with a riding cart, included. The offer is good Monday through Friday, and with Lake Roosevelt, Two Rivers Casino and Seven Bays Resort all within a couple of miles of the course, there are plenty of entertainment opportunities available other than golf.

According to Spencer, who maintains the course with the help of a four-person crew, there are currently 273 homesites surrounding the course. Lots adjacent to the course, which are all a half acre or larger, cost between $25,000-$50,000, but less expensive secondary lots - which are approved for double-wide manufactured home - are also available.

Lot sales are starting to pick up, along with the number of golfers playing Deer Meadows.

The main problem Spencer is facing now is a lack of exposure.

“We’ve been trying to get word out that we’re here,” he said. “More people are finding out about us all the time, but it’s a slow process.”

Spencer wouldn’t say how much he has invested in this golf course and club house, but admitted it “was all I had.”

Now, he is hoping to see some return on his financial, emotional and physical investments.

“You’re always getting second thoughts and wondering if it’s all worth it or not,” Spencer admitted. “But we’re going to stick with it and see what happens.”

It should be fun watching Charlie Spencer’s golf course grow.