Spring-like weather arriving early has all area golfers highly anticipating the start of the golf season at Diamond Trail Golf Club (DTGC) located in Lynnville. Over the winter months, the DTGC board of directors have made exciting new changes with the hiring of a new golf superintendent and pro shop manager.
Tyler Hasselbrink, a native of Grinnell now living in Newton, was hired in January as the new golf superintendent. Hasselbrink replaces Travis Brown, who resigned last year after four years at the DTGC.
Tyler Hasselbrink
Hasselbrink credits his work ethic, knowledge of the industry, and experience gained from the three years he worked at Oakland Acres Golf Course under the direction of their superintendent, Dawnette Baker.
Hasselbrink will be responsible for mowing, spraying chemicals, maintaining the equipment, and taking care of the golf course in general at the DTGC. “I look forward to everything,” says Hasselbrink. “I get to wake up every morning and spend my whole day on the golf course – it can’t get much better than that.”
A familiar face to the DTGC but with new job responsibilities will be Aimee (Rolffs) Nikkel taking on the duties of DTGC Pro Shop Manager. Nikkel is an avid golfer who has hit the links since the course first opened.
“I was always interested in golf and love the sport,” said Nikkel.
As a high schooler, Nikkel found success on the Lynnville-Sully golf team, advancing to the state tournament. She has experience as a golfer and an employee of the DTGC, as she’s been a summer employee since 2012. Nikkel now lives in Sully with her husband and will replace Pam Vander Beek as Pro Shop Manager. She plans to lean on her experience from the last five years as she learns the ropes and looks forward to building the relationships she’s made with DTGC and guest golfers as she starts her new position.
Aimee Nikkel
“One thing I have always enjoyed about working at the DTGC is talking with and getting to know everyone who comes in to golf,” said Nikkel.
An official open date for the 2017 season has not been set. The board has planned a work day on Saturday, Apr. 22, starting at 8 a.m. According to Harlan Van Wyhe, DTGC President, the work day will focus on making general course repairs and cleaning up.
