Hyperion Field Club

Hyperion Field Club started as a social club in 1900. In 1903 they built a clubhouse adjacent to Waveland Golf Course in Des Moines where they would play matches. In 1907 they purchased land North of Des Moines known at the time as Johnston Station.

The location is next to the Camp Dodge military installation on an old train line, and both began construction in 1907. The inter-urban train line ran to a couple further away communities and allowed golfers to travel in from out of town. There was even a horse and carriage ride you could purchase to take you and your luggage to the clubhouse at the top of the hill.

Tom Bendalow was brought in to build the new 18-hole course completed in 1910. The two 9’s start on top of the hill near the clubhouse and quickly descend to a flatter area before weaving their way back up the hill to finish on 9 and 18. A shorter course by modern standards the challenge lies in the tighter, straight, tree lined fairways and sloped greens.

The course is a co-host of the Herman Sani Invitational, an event started to honor the longtime member and brief owner who was known as “Mr. Golf” in Iowa for his promotion of the sport. Since the inception of the event, it has awarded hundreds of scholarships to Iowa high school graduates.