The History of Willow Ridge Golf Course
| Renovations |
| In early 2007, Don Decker purchased the American Legion Post 130 Golf Course. Renovations started immediately in March of 2007, with a total over haul of the facilities that included new carpet, paint, decorations, wood fixtures, bar, mirrors, bathrooms, kitchen and many others. |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Iowa Central Community College Partnership |
| Willow Ridge has partnered with Iowa Central Community College to provide a facility for the general public, as well as a learning environment for the students of Iowa Central Community College. The purpose of the partnership was to give the citizens of Fort Dodge, Iowa, a fine dining experience and provide a 9-hole golf course for the general public to use. The goal is to provide these such services through the development and implementation of three new Iowa Central Community College academic programs that started in the fall of 2007: Culinary Arts, Restaurat and Hospitality Management, and Turf Grass Management. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| These program will utilize these facilities as both a learning environment and a on the job training facility. Students will gain both an educational and work experience, and be ready to delve into the work place upon graduation. |
| |
| Due to the growth of these programs, and the high demand for functions and other activities, plans are in the works to add a new learning kitchen facility, as well as another 130 seat dining room, with a bar. This would enable both the academic programs and Willow Ridge to grow and help provide great service for its patrons. |
| |
| Culinary Arts |
| |
Students will partake in both front and back of house operations, which includes both kitchen and serving. The students will work in all aspects of the facility, working their way from dish washing, through serving, inventory, accounting, food preparation, salad prep, cook, and eventually Sous chef. They will garner these experiences during classroom lecture and food lab time, as well as working at Willow Ridge. The students will be closely supervised by Executive Head Chef Michael Hirst, and his culinary staff.
For more information visit Iowa Central's Culinary Arts page.
|
| Restaurant and Hospitality Management |
| |
Students will work all front of house day to day operations. These include serving on patrons, inventory, event planning, customer service, accounting, as well as some time in the kitchen to understand the workings of the back of house. These students will be mentored and supervised by Sara Nielsen, the Restaurant manager for Willow Ridge, and Program Coordinator for the Restaurant and Hospitality Management program at Iowa Central Community College.
For more information visit Iowa Central's Restaurant and Hospitality Management page.
|
| Turf Grass Management |
| |
Students will be responsible for taking care of the 9-hole golf course, and the surrounding grounds, and will be lead by Scott Birdsell, Program Coordinator for the Turf Grass Management Program, and Mark Messerly, Superintendent for Willow Ridge Golf Course. These students will be responsible for the up keep and major developments planned for Willow Ridge, such as new tee boxes, improvements to greens, the addition of sand traps and other items. They will also work on getting the course ready to open in the spring, and close down for the winter in the fall. During the summer months, they will embark on internships at other turf grass facilities across the state and country.
For more information visit Iowa Central's Turf Grass Management page.
|
|
