Willow Creek Golf Course

Willow Creek Golf Course in West Des Moines operates as a public facility offering two distinct 18-hole layouts, with the White and Blue nines forming one of the available combinations. Designed by Dick Phelps, a regional architect active in Iowa and the surrounding Midwest during the latter decades of the twentieth century, the course reflects the practical design sensibilities common to municipal and daily-fee facilities of its era. The property sits within the western suburbs of Des Moines, where residential and commercial development has steadily expanded across what was once agricultural land. The White and Blue combination navigates terrain typical of central Iowa, where modest elevation changes and natural drainage corridors provide the primary topographical interest. Phelps likely incorporated existing tree lines and water features into the routing, creating definition and strategic variety without extensive earthmoving. The layout serves a broad range of players, from beginners to experienced golfers seeking convenient access to regulation play. Willow Creek functions as an accessible option within the Des Moines metropolitan golf market, where public courses serve a substantial portion of the region's golfing population. The facility accommodates everyday play, league competitions, and outings without the membership requirements of private clubs. Course conditions and maintenance standards reflect the realities of high-volume public golf, where playability and pace of play take precedence over tournament-level presentation. The White/Blue pairing offers a straightforward test that emphasizes course management and consistent execution over specialized shot-making demands.