AppanooseCountry Club
Nine holes of rolling fairway, a warm table, and a hundred years of Sunday afternoons — tucked into the hills above town.
Built By A Coal Town
That Learned To Golf
Centerville grew up fast around the largest town square in Iowa, fueled by coal seams that drew Swedish, Italian, Croatian, and Albanian families to these hills. When the boom years matured, town leaders wanted a place to slow down — so in 1913 they laid nine holes above the mines and built a clubhouse to match.
A century on, we're still exactly that: unpretentious, close-knit, and proud of where it came from. The kitchen still cooks like it's Sunday, and the porch is the best seat in Appanoose County.
A Century In The Making
From a two-block town square to a hundred years of tee times — the short version of how Appanoose County built a club worth keeping.
Chaldea Becomes Centerville
Jonathon Stratton lays out the settlement around a two-block square — still the largest town square in Iowa. A clerical error during incorporation turns "Senterville" into Centerville for good.
Coal Changes Everything
The first mine opens, and Centerville becomes a coalfield boomtown. Swedish, Italian, Croatian, and Albanian families arrive by the thousands to work the seams.
Second-Largest Local In The Country
UMWA Local 553 in Centerville swells to 1,194 members — at the time, the second-largest United Mine Workers local in the nation.
Appanoose Country Club Is Founded
As the coalfields boom, town leaders break ground on nine holes in the hills above Centerville — some records credit the routing to prolific Golden Age architect Tom Bendelow.
Indian Hills Opens Nearby
The community college's founding reflects a town investing in its next chapter — the same spirit that keeps the clubhouse lively decades later.
Rathbun Lake Is Dedicated
As coal recedes, civic leaders open Rathbun Lake, diversifying Appanoose County's economy — and giving members another reason to stay all weekend.
Still Nine Holes, Still Family
Bent-grass greens, bluegrass fairways, and a grill that still feels like Sunday dinner. Same hills. Same handshake deals. Hundred-plus years running.
Nine Holes, Hundred-Year Bones
Bent-grass greens and bluegrass fairways roll through the same hills the club broke ground on in 1913. It plays firm, it plays fair, and by hole six you understand exactly why members never left.
Practice green, chipping area, and driving range keep your warm-up honest. Walking is always welcome; carts are on hand for everyone else. Open April through November.
From The Clubhouse Kitchen
Supper-club classics, a full bar, and a porch that's been the best seat in Appanoose County for a hundred years. Members and guests welcome.
Entrées and dinner specials added as the full menu comes together.
Membership & Private Events
Membership
Join a club that still feels like a handshake — tee times, the pool deck in summer, and a clubhouse full of familiar faces.
Weddings & Banquets
Our banquet hall has hosted a century of receptions, reunions, and holiday parties — ask about booking your own.
Outings & Leagues
From company scrambles to weekly leagues, nine holes is just the right amount of golf for an evening out.
Find Us In The Hills
Above Centerville
Open April through November. Stop by for a round, a Friday fish fry, or to talk membership — we're always glad for the company.
Centerville, IA 52544