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DESTINATIONS
OB SPORTS GOLF & LEISURE
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FALL 2018
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obsports.com
I
n the late-1960s, local businessman
E.C. "Eddie" Coppola, who owned a
piece of land on which he had previ-
ously raised quarter horses, joined
forces with another local business-
man, Hy Diamond. The men dreamed of
turning the property into a first-class
country club with an atmosphere welcom-
ing to all who wished to become members.
A half-century later, Echo Valley Coun-
try Club, set in the rolling hills of central
Iowa near the capital of Des Moines, is still
family owned and continues to thrive on
the strength of its membership.
"You won't find a group of people who
are more active, inviting, welcoming and
fun anywhere," said Matt Matthias, the
club's PGA General Manager. "While
many of our members could choose to be-
long anywhere, they choose our club.
Whenever you walk through the door, you
feel like part of the family."
The membership also enjoys a top-notch
layout as Echo Valley's blend of natural
beauty and 27 holes of pristine, challeng-
ing golf makes it one of the most lauded
courses in the state – with the property's
three distinctive nines all possessing their
own character.
"We have a lot of beautiful land in a
great location," said Matthias, whose track
was named Course of the Year by the Iowa
Golf Association in 2013. "We are fortunate
to have 27 holes that work very well to-
gether, providing players with different
and interesting experiences each round."
Part of the original 18 holes completed
in 1969, The Creek nine offers an old-
school layout where position is key and
water hazards confront golfers on seven
holes, while The Vale is a parkland-style
track with mostly flat, tree-lined fairways.
The Ridge opened in 2004 and presents
a challenge with its dramatic elevation
changes, fescue-lined fairways and steep
terrain. This is exemplified by the signature
risk-reward par-5 ninth hole, which drops
100 feet from tee to green with a stellar
view of the downtown Des Moines skyline.
But the golf, while integral to Echo Val-
ley, is only part of the overall experience.
Matthias says it's the members that most
make Echo Valley what it is.
"There is something special here," he
said. "And it's the quality of our members.
From our very beginning, we were built to
be welcoming to everyone. That philoso-
phy still holds true to this day."
HOT
LINKS
›› TAKE a tour of Echo
Valley Country Club.
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›› CHECK OUT video
of the golf course.
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›› DISCOVER the
history of the property.
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›› INQUIRE about
memberships.
SCROLL through the slideshow to view
more photos from Echo Valley Country Club.
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ECHO VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB
NORWALK, IOWA
