By Elaine Rassel
There was an interest in having a Golf Course for Marcus way before it was finally approved by the State of Iowa in April 2, 1963. For many previous years, a Golf Course for Marcus had been discussed 60 acres of Mrs. Josephine Christensen was purchased by Monsignor Behrens one mile south of Marcus on Highway 143 and 3.
The Christensen’s had relatives in Oregon and relocated there. For years the Christensen women had flower beds were bulbs were shipped all over. The area farmers always knew it was time to plant when Ed Christensen took out his harvest the next spring. I couldn’t forget.
There was a day when the Christensen family started to Cherokee and their vehicle quit on them. Someone from Cherokee came to help. Right away this salesman knew he had a customer. “Wouldn’t you like a car with air conditioning?” he asked. The reply was, “We do have air conditioning—we roll the window down!”
The next information came from the Quasquicentennial (125th anniversary) History Book. “The Marcus Community Golf Club articles of incorporation were approved by the State of Iowa on April 2, 1963. Incorporators who served as directors until the organization’s first annual meeting were: Dr. G.A. Wiedemeier, president; Vance Marquis, vice-president; Mrs. L.P. Fitzgerald, secretary; E.E. Evans, treasurer. Other directors were Oscar Heline, Helen Niemann, Fred Hoover, Earl Flanagan, and Charles Knudson.
Thirty-five thousand dollars was raised by the sale of stock in this non-profit corporation and it was decided at that time to have nine directors to serve staggered three-year terms. This was later raised to twelve directors. A non-profit project was first discussed by the Rotary Club and then became a community project and needed funds were raised by voluntary subscriptions. The 60 acres of land for the golf club was purchased from Mrs. Josephine Christensen, one mile south of Marcus on highway 143 and 3. The bid which was accepted for construction of the golf course was $15,000.00 complete.
The course was first open to players on Sunday, August 18, 1963. That summer a garage was moved in and used as a temporary club house, and Dick Garvin was the groundskeeper. Then on November 13, 1963, 80 volunteer workers erected a 30×60 redwood club house with a 20×24 annex. The south side of the building was nearly all glass, giving an unrestricted view of the course.
In 1974 the club house was made larger with an addition to the south of the existing club house. This addition became the bar area and the original building remained the kitchen and eating area. In 1979 the entire kitchen was remodeled, and various other improvements have been made over the years. In 1995 the club house was painted gray with white trim, and at this time it is all being recarpeted and will be ready for the 1996 season.
The course itself has seen many improvements over the years with the additional cart sheds since the original small shed was built in 1963. That shed was made larger in 1981 with a 28×60 addition. In 1977 a shed was built to house 54 more carts, with a 28×30 addition in 1985, and in 1994 another shed was added for 64 more carts.
Memberships in the Marcus Community Golf Club has increased through the years and there are presently over two hundred and fifty members. The cost of a family membership is $185.00, and the Club prides itself on keeping memberships costs low so many families in Marcus and the surrounding areas can belong to the Club. There are presently members from the following communities: Marcus, Cleghorn, Meriden, Cherokee, Larrabee, Granville, Quimby, Washta and Remsen.
The Marcus Golf Club has the following leagues playing each week during the season: two men’s leagues, ladies’ league, seniors’ league, and couple’s league. Various tournaments are held each season, with golfers coming from other communities.
The club’s first manager was Don Geringer in 1964, followed by Gordon Roese and Ron Hildreth in 1965. Frank Burch took over as manager in 1966 and later he and Kathryn Burch both managed the club and continued to do so until 1980. Maxine Ludwig Pottebaum served as manager from 1980 through 1990. At this time the course employs four full-time employees each season, and also around five or six part-time employees. Ron and Darlene Schmillen are the current managers. Jerry Meylor and Kevin Johnson are the greens keepers, and Donna Bird is the manager of the kitchen. Many people volunteer each year to paint, put in cart paths, plant trees and flowers, and help in any way they can. The present Board of Directors and Officers of the Marcus Community Golf Club are: Kenneth Ogren, President; Steve Ebert, Vice-President; Mike Knutson, Secretary. Other board members are Mark Bauer, Gordon Roese, Merle Spieler, Jeff Holmes, Percy Means, Galen Rupp, Fred Hoover, Doug Lauters, and Dennis Moser.”
So this was the beginning of the Marcus Golf Course! Dr. Wiedemeier passed away in 1969 but still played in previous years.
Tim Holmes has a very well written business plan on the present Marcus Golf Course. The new Golf Course has come a long way since the beginning. Marcus Golf Course is established in Marcus, Iowa and has been in existence since 1964. The non-profit seeks continued funding to finalize their new clubhouse project. The new clubhouse will include a fully insulated and year-round venue, with a restaurant and banquet room to hold approximately 50 people. Hope for new space is to offer golf simulators and a winter golf league. The existing 9-hole course will remain the same and the clubhouse will be an added benefit for all golf and community members. The mission statement is to provide a high-quality golfing experience for players of all ages and abilities. Each board member is voted in for each term. The City of Marcus now owns the golf course.
As far as the $400,000 for the Golf Course, the city is paying out of a savings account. The re-payment will come from the lease.