Spring Creek Golf Course History

SPRING CREEK GOLF COURSE HISTORY- EST. 1964

 

John Potthoff was looking for a way to make a living when the zinc works were closing in the early 60’s at Illinois Zinc in LaSalle and Peru. He found it as close as his very own backyard.

Having Interstate 80 being developed right outside their farmhouse led John Potthoff to have frequent conversations with Charles Ind, the owner of a Rockford, IL concrete company. Viewing the entire acreage, Ind told Potthoff his farm’s hilly terrain, mature trees, and vegetation would make for a perfect setting for a golf course.

Those conversations led to a vision…

Spring Creek Golf Course was developed by John Potthoff with assistance from his brothers, Leo, Clem, Ted, and his brother-in-law, Harold Dean.

Construction of the first nine holes lasted 3 1/2 to 4 years opening June 20, 1964. Architects Ken Killian and Dick Nugent completed the second nine holes two years later. Their combined architectural experiences developed acreage utilizing mature walnut and oak trees, hillsides, and wildflowers keeping the course’s namesake, Spring Creek, untouched.