AD SPACE

50th Year Oakview Golf Association to be celebrated on August 16th


Alicia Wicklund
It has been 50 years since Greenbushs’ Oak View Golf Course was established, and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Association, a four person scramble will be held on Saturday, August 16th, 2008. Registration will start at 9:00 a.m. and tee off will begin at 9:30 a.m. Eighteen holes will be played with flight and door prizes.
Of the original Board of Directors, five are deceased, I.S. Folland (Director), Lloyd H. Klefstad (Secretary), V.A. Temanson (Director), Louis E. Allen (President), and Belmer Thompson (Vice President); the remaining four, Elmer J. Doran (Membership Chairman), Hector Reese (Director), Bobby D. Wollin (Director), and Lowell C. Mortrude (Treasurer), will be honored on August 16th pior to the tournament.
Due to the size of the course, a maximum of around 32 teams will be allowed to enter.
“If interested, I would encourage people to pre-register,” manager/treasurer Bernie Nelson said.
However, to create the condition of the course today, it has been quite a haul. In August of 1958, Dave Davidson, manager of Lincoln Park Golf Course in Grand Forks, started laying out the course. But even before that, plans had to be made.
“We talked about it for awhile when we should celebrate our 50th year; we decided on this year because it has been 50 years since the board has been established,” Bernie said.
Many fundraising events such as bake sales and all-star wrestling were held to fund the development of the course and a lot of volunteer work was also provided.
The land, which was purchased from I.S. Folland and Lloyd Klefstad, was very swampy, but with the construction of highway 11, a drainage system provided for the course.
In January of 1960, discussion started on a clubhouse building, but it wasn’t built until 1961 on a maximum budget of $1,200.
Oak View Golf Course also purchased their first three gang reel mower through Ace Hardware in May of 1960. Play started on sand greens with green fees starting at 50 cents for weekdays and one dollar for Saturdays and Sundays. Yearly family dues were 20 dollars and a single due was 15 dollars.
Some of the first hired help was paid $1 per hour to mow grass.
In 1962, Oak View joined the Northern Minnesota sand green league and hosted a league tournament in August of 1963. However, in 1977, they dropped out of the sand green league.
Only six years after establishment, the first hole-in-one was recorded in 1964 by Curtis Haugen.
Then in 1989, another improvement came about; Nathan McFarlane suggested to build two grass greens on holes two and nine, so water from the clubhouse could be used. By 1990, the two grass greens were ready for play.
Wanting grass greens on the remaining seven holes, Toro and Rainbird were contacted to submit proposals for a watering system for the entire course. To raise funds for the water system, well, and greens, the by-laws were changed in 1990 to set a 500 dollar Association fee and a limited number of life memberships at 2,500 dollars.
During the spring of 1990, three more grass greens were built and the remaining four were built that fall. In addition, the pond, watering system, and well were completed, and by 1991, all grass greens were being played.
Also in the 90’s, golf cart storage sheds were built, along with a shop and equipment storage; golf cars were purchased to rent and the clubhouse was remodeled to provide for a pro shop.
An aeration fountain in 1994 was added to the pond, as well as a lighting system that luminated Oak View’s golf course entry while passing by on highway 11.
The golf course is presently maintained by groundskeeper Glenn Iverson with help from Chase Grinsteiner and Corey Graff. Todd Daniels from Pro Turf systems in Fosston, takes care of the chemical and fertilizer work on a contract basis. Clubhouse employees are Alyssa Dvergsten and Chad Hedman, with help from Dick Churchill and Bernie Nelson. As treasurer and golf course manager, Bernie is responsible for the daily operations of the course to the Board of Directors. Currently, the Board of Directors consists of Al Sather, Neil Lund, Dick Churchill, Bernie Nelson, Jessica Kuznia, Mark Reese, Jeramy Swenson, Jesse Pulczinski, and Franklin Frislie.
Each year, the course hosts a number of tournaments, men’s and ladies leagues, the high school golf team, and the summer rec golf program.
Presently, the association has over 100 memberships, with the annual treasurer’s report showing an income over $100,000.00 and a small profit.
Current dues are single $215, couples $290, family passes at $315, and student fees of $60. Daily fees are $8 for nine holes during the week and $10 on weekends and holidays. Additional nine holes are $6 more during the week and $7 on weekends and holidays.
The pro shop has snacks, beverages, balls, golf supplies, Oak View logo clothing, and is open from 12 noon to close weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to close on weekends and holidays through labor day; reduced hours take affect after labor day till mid-October.
Polish up your swing, sign-up a team, and celebrate Oak View Golf Courses’ 50th year Anniversary on August 16th, 2008.

"The Newspaper That Cares"