MANCHESTER - At age 9, Keith Zietlow played his first round of golf at Manchester Golf Club - a private 9-hole course that featured mature trees and small greens.

Over the past 15 years, Zietlow has witnessed a slew of changes at the course he calls home.

Now, the course is open to the public and has tweaked its name to Manchester Golf Course. Also, nine holes were added in 2001, making this 18-hole course that's located 45 minutes east of Waterloo (off Highway 20) worth the stop.

In fact, three years after the second nine was added by Cedar Rapids' Chip Hughes, who purchased the course in the late 1990s, it was recognized as the Iowa Golf Association's public course of the year.

While the course won't overwhelm anyone with its length - only two par-4s more than 400 yards from the blue tees - Manchester does require thought, precision and touch on the greens.

"I think we have a pretty good course for the size of town (population 6,000)," said Zietlow, who took over as golf manager in March. "I'll put our greens up with most courses in Iowa. The guys outside (led by superintendent Chris Oehlert) do a great job of getting it ready for play each day."

Even though the nines were built 73 years apart, the green speeds are similar throughout the course.

Manchester is also well-manicured, from the tee boxes to the greens.

"It's fair, and it's always in good shape," Zietlow said. "You never have to worry about it being in good shape."

Each of the 18 holes are given a name on the scorecard, such as "Gopher Hole" at No. 2 and "The Monster" at No. 15.

The old nine consists of holes 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 18. The first hole is ranked as the course's most difficult with a sharp dogleg left. Most players use a 6-, 7- or 8-iron off the tee, positioning themselves for their second on the 359-yard par 4. The eighth hole, a 508-yard par 5, is a blind tee shot with a dogleg to the right.

The new nine has more of a links-style feel, with tall grass, hills, rocks and large greens. It also has more length with two par 4s measuring more than 400 yards.

Depending on the wind conditions, scoring conditions can be tough from Nos. 13 through 16.

Manchester does have one quirky hole in "Timber Challenge" - the 349-yard par 4.

With "timber" surrounded to the left, longer hitters can attempt a risk-reward cutoff. However, a net was put up near the tee box to limit that. Instead, it requires a straight iron to 160-170 yards.

"It's one of those holes you have to play a few times to get the hang of and know where to position your ball," Zietlow said. "It's very unique."

The course has also seen some marquee names roam the fairways.

Sam Snead played here in 1947, while Zach Johnson has an aunt who lives off the No. 1 fairway. When in town last November, the Masters champion played a hole and eagled the longest par-5 on the course - the 522-yard 15th.

Pheasant Ridge head pro John Bermel holds the course record, firing a 62 in his first round at Manchester in a Monday sectional qualifying event in 2002.

Manchester Golf Course, however, offers more than just a first-rate course. There is a spacious dining room inside the clubhouse, a bar downstairs and an indoor golf simulator that gets significant use in the winter.

With all that, Zietlow has a "dream job" at age 24.

He attended high school at Maquoketa Valley before playing golf for four years at Wartburg College. Then after working at a course in Naples, Fla., last winter, he considered leaving the golf business before receiving a call that the pro was leaving.

"I had an interview the next day, and now I'm back," Zietlow said. "I knew a lot of the members already so the transition wasn't real tough.

"It's just a place that is real laid back and very suitable for the community."

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com

Manchester Golf Course

- Layout: 18 holes, par 72

- Yardage: Blues 6,278 yards; Whites 5,969; Reds 5,172.

- Green fees with half cart: Weekdays, $21 for 9 holes, $30 for 18 holes; Weekends, $23 for 9 holes and $32 for 18 holes.

- Annual fees: $175 for 10, 18-hole rounds; $250 for 15, 18-hole rounds; $425 for 25, 18-hole rounds; $725 for unlimited single; $995 for unlimited couple

- Holes (white yardage)

No. 1 - 359 yards, par 4

No. 2 - 347 yards, par 4

No. 3 - 143 yards, par 3

No. 4 - 328 yards, par 4

No. 5 - 493 yards, par 5

No. 6 - 350 yards, par 4

No. 7 - 163 yards, par 3

No. 8 - 492 yards, par 5

No. 9 - 302 yards, par 4

No. 10 - 115 yards, par 3

No. 11 - 291 yards, par 4

No. 12 - 424 yards, par 5

No. 13 - 384 yards, par 4

No. 14 - 403 yards, par 4

No. 15 - 503 yards, par 5

No. 16 - 381 yards, par 4

No. 17 - 128 yards, par 3

No. 18 - 363 yards, par 4

- Contact: Manchester Golf Course, (563) 927-4155