WELLMAN

On Saturday, June 14, 36 teams will flood the links at Wellman Golf Club for noon tee-off at the Club’s second Wellman Classic tournament. The 18-hole, 2-person alternate shot features an expanded field after last year’s event drew more interest than planned, and comes with added celebration, as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Wellman Golf Club.

“The crazy thing about the Wellman Golf Club is, nobody owns it,” Club President Tracy Owens says. “The City doesn’t own it. It has been member-owned since it was built. There’s always been a golf board that just maintains the place.”

The club’s collective achievement is being marked by added fun this year, with food trucks Stonewall Brick Oven Pizza and El Gringo Loco onsite starting at 5 p.m., and live music by the Pfat Back Boys on the clubhouse deck Saturday evening.

Club members have been abustle preparing for the anniversary year. New signs have refreshed the property’s look; Jim Seward hand painted the logo and text, and Chris Bringman and Josh Boone crafted the frames. Members scored their 100-year anniversary shirts in April, and the spring cleanup day had a record turnout.

“We’re just trying to make it better every year,” Owens says of the work to improve and maintain the golf course and clubhouse. The clubhouse recently received a new roof and interior renovation, and “in the last seven years, we bought a new tractor, a new mower, a new small mower,” Owens says.

This forward movement is thanks to the “young blood” and “different ideas” brought forward by board members Owens, Nathan Klostermann (Secretary/Clubhouse Manager), Amy Drayfahl (Treasurer/Women’s League Rep), Joey Patterson (Tournament/Cart Shed Manager); Trever Owens (Groundskeeping Manager); Abbi Patterson (Public Relations/Marketing) and Devon Young (Men’s League Rep).

Their efforts have paid off: in the last several years, club membership has dramatically increased, Owens said, and a situation that was “not financially good” has turned around. Today there is more enthusiasm and support for one of the last few sand greens golf courses in the state than there has been in quite some time, and an inexpensive $325 family membership has become quite the draw. Last year folks from 11 states turned out for the sand greens tournament hosted by the club.

This weekend’s Wellman Classic serves as a fundraiser for the club; proceeds will help fund new picture windows for the clubhouse and continued course maintenance.

All are invited to enjoy the food trucks and live music Saturday evening at the clubhouse. The Wellman Golf Club is located at 905 1st Ave, Wellman.