HISTORY OF THUNDER HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
Conceived in 1969, Thunder Hills Country Club was the brainchild of five individuals aiming to establish the second planned golf course community in Iowa. Gordon Cunningham, Peter Beeves, C.J. May, Jr., Frank Dunn, and Bob Frommelt, who served as the club's inaugural president, were instrumental in acquiring the Burds and Harris farms east of Peosta, Iowa. Their vision was to create a residential neighborhood with paved streets where homes overlooked an 18-hole championship golf course. To achieve this, they launched an ambitious membership drive with a target of 300 members. The club required a $500 initiation fee and $20 monthly dues. While researching names at the public library, Bob Frommelt and Gordon Cunningham were inspired by the sound of thunder, leading them to name the hilly property Thunder Hills. This inspired the formation of both the Thunder Hills Homeowners Association and Thunder Hills Country Club. In 1971, Thunder Hills Country Club unveiled the front nine holes featuring watered tees and greens along with a new clubhouse. The back nine holes and swimming pool opened in 1972, followed by the introduction of three tennis courts in 1973. In August 2002, the Board established a Facility Study Committee to propose strategies for enhancing or replacing the existing clubhouse to bolster membership growth. The conceptual plan was approved by members in 2003, with excavation commencing in October that year. The new clubhouse debuted on May 22, 2004. Between 2016 and 2017, the club undertook a $1,000,000 renovation project, improving all bunkers on the golf course with new drainage systems, liners, and sand. The pool area received upgrades, including a new Kiddie Pool, main pool lighting, deck repainting, Wi-Fi installation, three shade awnings, and a new pool heater. The Tennis/Pickleball courts were completely refurbished with new surfaces, fencing, lighting, and the addition of a basketball hoop. In June 2021, a new 4,200 square foot pool and 3,700 square foot cabana were unveiled. As outlined in the Mission Statement, Thunder Hills Country Club is committed to maintaining an exceptional golf facility, continually investing in enhancements to uphold the club's value, tradition, and overall quality of experience.
VIDEOS
50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
September 3, 2021 • Unedited • 1:15:24 minutes • With Jim Edwards and Andy DeSollar
Watch the actual Thunder Hills 50th Anniversary celebration. A walk down memory lane and a look at the wonderful history of Thunder Hills Country Club.
BOB FROMMELT INTERVIEW
November 21, 2020 • Edited • 27:44 minutes • With Bob Howard
Thunder Hills original founder Bob Frommelt talks about starting the planned Thunder Hills Country Club complex during its 50th Anniversary (1970-2020) celebration.
JIM EDWARDS INTERVIEW
June 5, 2020 • Edited • 29:26 minutes • With Bob Howard
Thunder Hills charter member Jim Edwards shares stories about the history of Thunder Hills Country Club during its 50th Anniversary (1970-2020) celebration.
LYLE KOPP INTERVIEW
July 22, 2020 • Edited • 18:07 minutes • With Bob Howard and Jim Edwards
Realtor Lyle Kopp talks about finding the land to build Thunder Hills Country Club during its 50th Anniversary (1970-2020) celebration.
DAVID CLEMENS INTERVIEW
July 2, 2020 • Edited • 9:18 minutes • With Bob Howard
Thunder Hills member David Clemens shares stories about the social history of Thunder Hills Country Club during its 50th Anniversary (1970-2020) celebration.
HISTORIC TIMELINE