HISTORY OF THUNDER HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
Conceived in 1969, Thunder Hills Country Club was the vision of five individuals who wished to develop and build the second planned golf course community in the State of Iowa. Those five individuals were Gordon Cunningham, Peter Beeves, C.J. May, Jr., Frank Dunn, and Bob Frommelt, who was the first president of Thunder Hills Country Club. This group was instrumental in the purchase of the Burds and Harris farms just east of Peosta, Iowa.
Their vision was to build a residential community of paved streets with homes backing up to an 18-hole championship golf course. The five embarked on an aggressive membership program to reach 300 members as they built and developed the planned golf course community. The club would have an initiation fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and monthly dues of Twenty Dollars ($20.00).
While doing research for names at the public library, Bob Frommelt and Gordon Cunningham heard a crack of thunder and that sparked the idea to name the hilly property Thunder Hills. Thus Thunder Hills Homeowners Association and Thunder Hills Country Club came into existence.
In 1971 Thunder Hills Country Club opened the front nine featuring watered tees and greens and the new Clubhouse. The swimming pool and back nine holes opened for play in 1972. The three tennis courts opened in 1973.
In August 2002 the Board formed a Facility Study Committee to study and make a recommendation for a strategy to improve or replace the existing Clubhouse. The strategy was designed to enhance and grow the membership.
The membership approved the conceptual plan in 2003 and excavation work began in October of that year. On May 22nd, 2004 the new Clubhouse opened.
In 2016-17 the Club embarked on a $1,000,000 renovation project. On the golf course, all bunkers were renovated with new drainage, liners and sand.
Improvements in the pool area included: a new Kiddie Pool with water features, new lights and re-painting of the main pool, re-painting the pool deck, Wi-Fi installation, addition of three shade awnings and replacement of the main pool heater.
The Tennis/Pickleball courts were also completely refurbished with a new surface, fencing and lighting. A basketball hoop was also installed.
In June 2021, a new 4,200 square foot pool and 3,700 square foot cabana opened.
As stated in the Mission Statement: "We are committed to providing an excellent golf facility as our highest priority with continual investment to enhance the value, tradition, and overall quality of the Thunder Hills Country Club 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