Poster:
This three color poster with a full color photo in the center was used early on to promote LVCC.  The players in the photo are (L to R):  C.C. Blair, Don Little, Dorothy Blair, Bob Bratzler, and Ed Loughlin.  The poster was 11" x 17".


The Early Years:
During the "early years" of LVCC, things were quite different than they are today. Money was a constant battle, and just keeping the course open for play was the major concern each day. There are numerous stories about the day to day operations and how difficult it was just to survive. Many members paid dues two and three years in advance so that the club would have money to operate on. Capital expenditures were virtually nonexistent. And various methods of "beg, borrow, or steal" were used to overcome those initial startup hurdles.

It was previously mentioned that we had borrowed $350,000 from the FHA in 1967/1968 for the initial course acquisition and development. Minutes from early 1970's Board meetings show that FHA representatives were commonly in attendance, asking for when we intended to make payment and trying to figure out what kind of mess they had gotten themselves into. By July 1975 we owed $380,099 on a six year old loan of $350,000. In 6 years we had not paid a penny to principal. In an effort to work with our Board to establish a workable payment plan, the FHA refinanced the $350,000 principal AND the unpaid interest into a single loan. In November 1975 we made our first scheduled payment on that loan. This came a full 7 years after the money was borrowed. There is speculation that one of the only reasons the FHA didn’t foreclose on our loan is because they had so many other golf course loans that had defaulted, and they were optimistic (hopeful) that ours had a chance to survive, and were willing to go to great lengths to aid our success.

It is very important to point out very clearly that this is not meant in any way to reflect negatively about the early club management. In fact it is quite the opposite. At that time we were attempting to service a $350,000 debt with a gross revenue figure that was budgeted at $66,398 for 1970. Today we are servicing about a $335,000 debt with a gross revenue of $1.2 million. The only thing that allowed the club to survive those early years was the dedication of the leaders and the club members, and their persistent attitude that this club was not going to fail.

As recently as the mid 1980's a fairly common way to get extra helpers on a project was to hold a member work day. The success and quality of LVCC was heavily dependant on member’s participation in the early years, as the club simply did not have the money to pay for the services which were performed by these work details. Member work days were used at various times to paint the clubhouse, construct maintenance buildings, pick up rocks (lots of rocks!), clean out brush, and numerous other odd jobs. A typical work day might include golf before the work began, but quite often golf was bypassed in favor of getting on with the work. Members often were asked to bring their own rakes, shovels, trimmers, etc. in order to make certain that enough tools were on hand to get the job done.

Several times situations arose where something was needed and the club simply did not have the money to afford it, nor the means to borrow any more. In those situations the membership might be asked to pay another year’s dues in advance, which most readily did. An attached page shows a list of members paying 1970 dues in 1969. Other times individual members might step up and make donations, as it was when 35 members donated $20 each to construct the first cart maintenance building. Later, in 1978 when the club wanted to build our current cart building next to #9 green, John Blair loaned the club $13,000 at 0% interest with the stipulation that it be paid back "when funds are available". Over the years others have made loans or donations to the club as well.

Many donations came not in the form of cash, but of labor and/or materials. The July 1979 Board minutes reflect a thank you to Wayne North for his donation of lumber that was needed to rebuild bridges on the course. Leonard North’s name has been mentioned several times for the times he assisted with "anything electrical". C.C. Blair tells the story of the time our well was broken and Earl Perkins, a member, spent an entire day with his equipment and one of his hired workers performing the necessary repairs. C.C. told Earl that he didn’t know how, but somehow the club would find a way to pay him. To which Earl’s response was that he expected no payment, that it was his equipment and he’d use it anyway he wanted. Certainly many of our members have contributed at one time or another, in one way or another, above and beyond their traditional dues.

Is this meant to project that things were better in the old days? Certainly not. Today we are fortunate enough that the club sustains adequate growth and revenue that we are able to afford adequate staff to maintain the course properly. But it bears acknowledging that if these individuals, as a group, had not shown the dedication and determination to persevere through those difficult times, we would not have the club that we enjoy today.



Sustainers Liability Agreement:
As further testimony to the commitment that the club founders were willing to make to ensure the success of the club, there were a limited number of "sustainer" certificates issued. These certificates recognized the individual as a "SUSTAINER AND BOOSTER OF LAKE VALLEY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB AND IS ENTITLED TO RECOGNITION BY THE COMMUNITY FOR THE ENLIGHTENED SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY EVIDENCED BY THIS AGREEMENT." Of course, the document goes on to say "The only purpose of this agreement is to establish a contingent source of income for the Club in the event available funds from dues and all other sources are not sufficient to provide necessary operating expenses and reserve requirements and amortize any loans made or insured by the United States through the Farmers Home Administration...". The agreement states that the sustainer agrees to allow himself to be assessed a maximum of $150.00 in any single twelve month period, which is an amount equal or greater than one year’s dues at that time. The certificate below was issued to charter member and sustainer Hugh Phillips.


Golf Course Changes:
Over the years several changes have been made to the golf course. These changes have involved things that were for aesthetics only, as well as some significant functional changes to the golf course. Prior to 1987 any changes that were made were purely at the discretion of the Board and Course Superintendent. In 1987 the Board commissioned ASGCA architect Gary Kern to develop a long range plan for the course. This long range plan was adopted by the membership and is incorporated as an amendment to our by-laws. Some of the golf course changes that have been made over the years are:

Hole #1. Prior to the mid 1980's the small ditch that crosses the fairway about 150 yards from the green was a much larger ditch. This was filled in and reduced in size to reduce the likelihood of hitting into the ditch while in the fairway. Also until the early 1980's there were large elm trees on either side of the opening which now exists at the first ditch. The tree on the right side of the fairway was especially large and encroached significantly on the fairway, making the second shot a very difficult shot to hit. Over the years several elm trees on the course were lost to Dutch Elm disease.

Hole #2. During the winter/spring of 1994 the entire green on #2 was rebuilt. This involved removing all of the soil down to a depth of 3' and rebuilding to USGA specifications. The general size and shape of the original green was maintained, although the subtle breaks and ridges are different. This rebuilding was required due to the general poor condition of the grass and its root system.

Hole #3. During October 1998 the green on hole #3 (along with #8 and #9) was completely rebuilt. The reconstruction served to cure several ailments. First, the old green sloped severely from back to front, which made for nearly impossible putts if you were above the hole. Second, the condition of the green had deteriorated over the years to a point where late summer turf problems were normal. Third, the design offered little "risk/reward" factors. During the reconstruction the front edge of the green was raised about five feet, creating a much flatter putting surface (although it still has a slight back to front slope). The small sand bunker on the right front corner was reshaped and enlarged, stretching it about half way across the front of the green approach. The net effect of this was to create a hole that will place much higher emphasis on the second shot selection for longer hitters and will make the hole a much truer par 5. (Special Note: at the time this is being written the new greens on 3, 8, and 9 have been reconstructed but have not yet opened for play)

Holes # 4, and 5. No significant changes

Hole #6. In 1978 trees were planted in the right rough, to the right of the group of large trees which guard the dogleg. Keep in mind that in 1978 the roughs were still very dry and hard, and extremely long drives could be hit by playing into the rough. It is rumored that the trees here were planted specifically to keep Ray Carey from cutting the corner.

Hole #7. No significant changes

Hole #8: During the tenure of Bill Whitfield as golf professional, a fairway sand trap was added to the right side of the fairway, about 160 yards from the green (much to the chagrin of slicers everywhere!) Later, that trap was changed to grass and left as a depression - it is still visible today. In 1992 a new, larger sand trap was installed on the left side of the dogleg. This very large trap has two grass mounds within it and makes one think about the risk involved in cutting the corner. In October 1998 the green was rebuilt and moved about 15 yards towards #6 tee. Two small sand bunkers on the left side (front and rear) were removed and replaced with a single large bunker on the left rear. The entire green was raised and the whole area was reshaped to promote proper water drainage, as this green has historically held water.

Hole #9. In October 1998 the green was reshaped and reconstructed. The old green had rear shelf then sloped down from mid-green to the front, making for treacherous down hill or side hill putts. The new green is larger and flatter, and it is somewhat of a two tiered design. During the reconstruction a front right bunker was removed, while a front left bunker was retained and enlarged. Mounds were added along the right side of the green.

Holes # 10, and 11: No significant changes

Hole #12: Presently, this hole has a cart path which runs down the right side of the fairway until it is about 120 yards out, makes a 90 degree left turn, crosses the center of the fairway , makes a 90 degree right turn, and moves up the hill on the left side of the fairway to the green. Until the early/mid 1980's the path across the center of the fairway taken by this path was a natural ditch which was usually washed out to some degree. It was very common for the grounds crew to work hardily to repair this area and get it in playable condition, only to have it washed out by the first heavy rain. So, the next time you ask yourself "why would anyone run a cart path across the middle of the fairway?" please understand that it played a significant part in making the hole as playable as it is today. Another major change to this hole involved the complete rebuilding of the green. At the same time that #2 was rebuilt, #12 was also rebuilt. This hole really benefited from the change by adding more playability to the green. The original design of the green was relatively flat on the back, but sloped significantly from back to front. This created problems during the summer as the green was speedy enough that a front pin placement would often result in putts rolling past the hole and all the way off the green. The new design still has a drop from front to back, but has less drop and is much more playable.

Hole #13: All of the changes on this hole have taken place at the teeing area. First, the original tee was a single level design, making it very difficult (ie impossible) to see the hole from the rear of the tee. In the mid 1980's the design was changed to a two tiered tee, which, while not providing 100% visibility to the green, has greatly improved it. Also during the mid/late 1980's a second tee block was created to the left and front of the existing tee. This was to be used as an "off season" tee, but was never very popular with the membership and is rarely used.

Hole #14: This hole, along with #16, has seen the most significant structural changes of any on the golf course. The locations of the tees and greens have not changed from the original design, but much of what lies in between has. For example, the pond that you see on the right hand side of the fairway was for years nothing more than a swampy waste area. There was a ditch that ran through the area, but the ground stayed so wet and mushy that it was impossible to mow, even with a weedeater. More than one golfer went looking for a lost ball, only to come back with mud over his ankles. The area that is now the pond is essentially the same area that was previously "swamp" and unplayable. From about the area that is now the pond’s spillway, a ditch continued towards the larger pond, crossing hole #16 at an angle. This ditch was closer to #16 tee than the present ditch, and eventually ran behind the #17 pond and joined up with the ditch that crosses #1, #3, #4, and #5. This update was done in 1982..

Hole #15: No significant changes.

Hole #16: As mentioned earlier, this hole received significant changes in the mid 1980's. At that time the pond on #16/#17 was enlarged by draining it and digging out a secondary wing. This created the area of the pond that you now see beside and behind the men’s tee on #18. If you look closely, you can visualize the original line of the dam. Part of the area that was used to enlarge the pond was the large ditch that ran all the way across the golf course. The new, larger pond now comes into play on the #16 tee shot, where before it would only come into play on extremely long shots hit down the left side. And, the ditch that crossed the fairway included a bridge across it. This ditch and bridge were located about 50 yards closer to the tee than the present drainage ditch. This location, combined with the fact that the fairways were much harder then (due to lack of water) made it very possible to hit the ball into the ditch off of the tee. Consequently, the safe play was generally to the right, along a line of where our present cart path runs. The trees and mounds were not there then either.

Hole #17 and #18: No significant changes.:

Fairway grass: The original course design called for U-3 bermuda grass for all fairways. However, because money was so tight a decision was made to install bluegrass as a cost savings measure. Several years later, in 1984, the process of sprigging bermuda into the fairways was begun. An outside company was contracted to sprig what is now the back nine holes. I recall there was considerable discussion during that first summer as to whether the bermuda was taking, or whether we had been taken. The greens superintendant, Don Zanzie, kept insisting that the bermuda was taking and we should all be patient. Of course, by the next summer the bermuda was taking over sizeable areas of the fairways. Not long afterwards Don created a quasi "nursery" for bermuda in the driving range, and eventually completed the installation of bermuda on the front nine holes.

Putting Green: The year before greens #2 and #12 were rebuilt, the practice green was reshaped and rebuilt. This was a major improvement that approximately doubled the size of the practice green. Prior to the rebuilding, head in parking was available in the area of the practice green that now borders the driveway. The large boulders were added on the golf course side of the practice tee to allow us to level the surface, as the original green sloped severely toward #1 tee.

Irrigation System: The golf course was originally constructed with a fairway watering system. It consisted of high pressure lines and manual heads. In 1988 a new, computer controlled watering system was installed by Pargmann Construction, which greatly increased the coverage of the new system and allowed much better control over how much water was applied and to which parts of the course, and controlled when it was applied. This relieved a strain on the grounds crew, who previously had to make multiple trips to the golf course during the course of an evening, in order to move the sprinkler heads from one area to another. The "new" system is controlled by computer, and each head can be set as to what time it is to begin watering and how much water it should disperse. During hot, dry summer months it is not uncommon for the system to disburse 350,000 gallons of water overnight.

Cart Paths: In 1995 a milestone concrete cart path was poured. This path completed our plan of providing a continuous paved path, from the 1st tee to the 18th green. This was a major undertaking for the club and took several years to complete. The benefit now is that we are able to be open for golf on days when our fairways would otherwise be too wet to play on. In addition to saving wear and tear on our course and carts, the cart paths also define and outline many of the holes, a feature which is helpful to golfers not familiar with our course.

Reversal of the 9's: Over the years the 9's have been reversed at least twice. Originally designed to play in our existing sequence, the holes were reversed for a few years in the late 1970's such that #1 was #10 and so on. It was later decided that this was not the best design, and the 9's were again reversed to our present order, so that we start with a par 5 at #1.

Entrance Road: Prior to 1992 the entrance road from lake road 54-79 to the clubhouse was constructed of asphalt. Over the course of years several spots had begun to deteriorate and crumble, to the point where extensive repairs were needed. In 1992 the existing asphalt was replaced with concrete. As part of the renovation, flower beds were installed in the center of the road at three points along its length.

Parking lots: Much like the progress on our cart paths, completing the construction of our paved parking areas has been an evolutionary process. Over time various pieces were asphalted and/or concreted, and all eventually replaced with concrete. During the winter of 1997-98 the final piece of the parking area was completed, an area which some say should have been the first piece instead of the last. The area between the swimming pool and the club house was graded and concreted, including a drive through "drop off" lane for unloading passengers, and built in flower/shrubbery boxes along the lane. At the same time the upper parking area was enlarged enough to allow a double row of parking in the center of the lot, greatly increasing the number of cars we can accommodate and generally improving the appearance. The entrance to the swimming pool was rerouted so that the sidewalk leading to the pool comes in from the upper parking lot rather than the area near the driving range as it previously did.