WATERLOO - Sunnyside is a private, exclusive country club. Yet, in many respects, the heart of Waterloo beats within its walls.

The members don't turn up their noses at outsiders, nor do they treat club employees like indentured servants.

"That's just the nature of Waterloo; we're a manufacturing town," noted longtime Sunnyside member and former club president Jim Fox.

"You don't see a lot of stuffed shirts wandering around (the club) trying to be better than anybody else. Some clubs, part of the membership is very aloof. We don't have that here."

"It doesn't seem like a job," noted assistant golf pro Aaron Krueger, "when you come out (and) usually everyone's in a pretty good mood."

Course superintendent Jason Tresemer echoed similar sentiments.

Perhaps that explains the passion which all involved put in to help Sunnyside earn the 2006 Iowa Golf Association's 18-hole Course of the Year award on Friday.

The course was initially nominated for the annual award by member and IGA board of directors member Tom Christensen. Then, in November, the IGA board voted to award Sunnyside the honor over no fewer than six other courses around the state.

The course was also lauded for hosting numerous amateur tournaments, such as last year's USGA Amateur qualifier. And the roughly 6,500-yard layout earned praise during such tournaments, for its taxing, yet tranquil layout.

"It's very playable on a daily basis," said fourth-year club pro Steve Reilly, "yet, when it comes time for statewide tournaments, it can present a challenge to some of the best players. That's what kinda sets it apart."

The course features well-groomed, undulating greens. … And several ponds, waiting to give your Titleist a watery grave. … And, to top it all off, numerous deep, kiss-of-death sand traps.

It's a fun course. Yet, it can't be conquered.

Tresemer, the second-year superintendent, sees to that.

"(Tresemer) literally has turned Sunnyside 180 degrees from where it was at," Christensen noted. "He's made the course faster, firmer and manicured it better."

"Needless to say, it's an honor to be given an accolade like this," Tresemer said, complimenting his 15-man maintenance crew. "I can only be as good as the guys underneath me - they're the guys behind the scenes that make this place what it is."

What Sunnyside is, quite simply, is a track that turns heads.

"Last year we were here for our U.S. Amateur qualifier, which is a 36-hole, big-time deal," explained IGA Assistant Executive Director Chad Pitts. "The greens were great, the bunkers awesome. Just the whole place was manicured up to the highest standards.

"You can hold this place up to any other club in Iowa and it matches up."

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com