Finkbine Golf Course Undergoes Major Renovation in Iowa City

The 71-year-old course will be reimagined for the 2027 season, bringing it up to modern standards and boosting its championship profile.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a golf course landscape broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in earthy tones, conveying the upcoming renovation and modernization of Finkbine Golf Course.The upcoming renovation of Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City will transform the 71-year-old layout into a modern, championship-caliber facility.Iowa City Today

Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City is undergoing a significant renovation project that will be completed in time for the 2027 golf season. The course, which has hosted major tournaments like the Big Ten Championships and the Ben Hogan Tour, will be redesigned by architect Scott Hoffman to lengthen the course and add new challenges to fit the modern game. The $10 million project is funded by donations from University of Iowa alumni Mary Lee and Fritz Duda, who have previously supported other golf facilities on campus.

Why it matters

The renovation of Finkbine Golf Course is an important investment in the University of Iowa's golf program and the local community. The updated course will allow Iowa to host higher-profile tournaments, giving the school's golf teams a championship-caliber venue to compete on. It will also make the course more appealing to golfers of all skill levels in the area.

The details

The Finkbine renovation project will be the course's most significant changes since it relocated in 1955. Architect Scott Hoffman, who previously worked for golf course designer Tom Fazio, will lead the project. The $10 million in funding comes from donations by University of Iowa alumni Mary Lee and Fritz Duda, who have supported other golf facilities on campus. The renovation will lengthen the course to fit the modern game and add new unique challenges that weren't there before.

  • Finkbine Golf Course opened in 1955 after relocating from its original location.
  • The current renovation project began in 2026 and is scheduled for completion by the 2027 golf season.

The players

Scott Hoffman

An architect who will spearhead the Finkbine Golf Course renovation project. Hoffman previously spent 13 years as a senior design associate for golf course architect Tom Fazio.

Mary Lee and Fritz Duda

University of Iowa alumni who provided the $10 million in donations to fund the Finkbine Golf Course renovation project.

Megan Menzel

The head coach of the Iowa women's golf team, who believes the course upgrades will help the program compete in the Big Ten.

Tyler Stith

The head coach of the Iowa men's golf team, who is excited for the reimagined Finkbine course and believes it will be a source of pride for the university and the state.

Dain Coppock

The director of operations at Finkbine Golf Course, who acknowledges the course's limitations due to its age and the need for an upgrade to the irrigation system.

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What they’re saying

“Any time recruits can see upgrades and excitement around your golf program, it definitely turns an eye.”

— Megan Menzel, Iowa women's golf head coach

“It will help us compete in the Big Ten and come out knowing we have a really good championship-style golf course that will prepare us week in and week out.”

— Megan Menzel, Iowa women's golf head coach

“I wish I could see the look on everyone's face the first time they play it. It's going to be a centerpiece for the UI and something that everybody in the state is proud of.”

— Tyler Stith, Iowa men's golf head coach

What’s next

The renovation project is scheduled for completion by the 2027 golf season, with the course remaining open for play during the construction.

The takeaway

The Finkbine Golf Course renovation is a significant investment in the University of Iowa's golf program and the local community. The updated course will allow Iowa to host higher-profile tournaments, giving the school's golf teams a championship-caliber venue to compete on. It will also make the course more appealing to golfers of all skill levels in the area, cementing Finkbine's status as a centerpiece of Iowa City's sports and recreation landscape.