2024 WLGC Newsletter

January 1, 2024

Greetings White Lake Golf Club Members!
 
On behalf of the WLGC Board of Directors, I wish you all a very happy 2024 and thank you for your membership and loyalty to our 108-year-old golf club!  There is great excitement going forward into the new season. Holes 3 and 4 will reopen! We have made new equipment purchases to further enhance excellence in course conditioning. The Golf and Competition Committee has streamlined our events calendar. Here is a direct link to the 2024 calendar:
 
2024 White Lake Golf Club Calendar of Events
 
The WL Junior Golf Foundation and the First Tee are thriving and active with golf clinics serving our youth. We are thrilled to be hosting Drive, Pitch and Putt again in 2024!  And…our Membership is at an all-time high! 
 
But before I go on with more general information, I would like to provide a perspective as to where we are today in terms of the history and milestones accomplished to date:
 

• On September 30, 1916, Thomas E. Rooney sent a letter to Henry Guerin (two of the club’s founders from Sylvan Beach) stating, “You will be pleased to learn that the call for the organization of a Golf Club at White Lake, Michigan, has met with such prompt and enthusiastic response, that the Committee on Organization has felt justified in immediately beginning operations toward the laying out of a golf course.”  Mr. Rooney further stated that, “Mr. Thomas Bendelow, one of the foremost golf architects of the country, has been retained and has already laid out the proposed course…” 

From that inaugural statement, our club sprang forth with 59 members…here they are!
  
Frank R. Adams, N. S. Banks, M. Butterfield, D. F. Campbell, Gee & Carr, Henry S. Cole, H. W. Cooper, George E. Covell, N. Crandall, Henry S. Crane, E. C. Cronwall, J. F. Dickinson, Eugene A. Dinet, A. E. Dinet, B.C. Dowse, E. Duttenhoffer, Charles W. Fitzgerald, John F. Fitzgerald, A. J. Flitcraft, M. Henry Guerin, John Griffith, George E. Harrison, W. T. Hercik, R. A. Hooten, Max Lau, John H. S. Lee, F. J. Lewis, Anne Magan, W.P. Marshall, George D. Mason, John P. McGoorty, F. D. McGuire, George H. Nelson, J. J. Nufer, John Nuveen, G. G. Orendorff, C. G. Pitkin, H. E. Potter,  W. D. Pyne,  E. F. Quackenbush, John O. Reed, E. E. Roberts, Thomas E. Rooney, Isabell R. Scott, J. S. Stewart, C. R. Stephens,  W. E. VanDeventer, R. H. Williams, W. A. Pillinger, G. F. Wadsworth, C. Fred Weed, and T. B. Widoe
 

• In 1925, with the leadership of President, E.E. Roberts, the WLGC succeeded in purchasing the Mahoney Farm, totaling 50 acres south of Michillinda Road.  This purchase provided the acreage to expand our course. The new holes on this property opened in 1927 making the WLGC an 18-hole course! 
• In 1959 the Board installed our first fixed pipe underground sprinkling system costing $40,000.  Prior to this system the course relied on Mother Nature and a night shift worker who dragged hoses around the course providing sprinkling where needed! 
• In 1984 the WLGC Board sold the White Lake Yacht Club to its members for $84,000 (In today’s value, with inflation, that amount would be $246,110). The funds from that sale were used to install a fully automatic irrigation system. 
• In 2015 a new, much needed, practice facility and pavilion were constructed east of hole 4 which was named The Evan McCombs Practice Facility.  It was made possible by the generosity and passion of the McCombs Family. 
• In 2022 the restoration of hole 2 was accomplished including new tees and the expansion of the fairway through the green surround. 
• In 2023 significant improvements were made in beautifying hole 12 with the construction of a replacement seawall and reestablishing a vibrant pond.  And…the restoration of holes 3 and 4 construction began! A newly designed hole 3 included a new green, green side bunkers, fairway, and tees.  Hole 4 restoration included new tees, expanded fairway, an enlarged green with a new green side bunker.  Both holes are also accented by newly established waste areas. 

Now for the big question going into 2024:  When will holes 3 and 4 open for play in the new season at White Lake Golf Club?
 
As you all know, holes 3 and 4 were closed on July 5, 2023, to begin restoration work.  We needed the warm summer and early fall temperatures to nurture the newly installed sod and seeded areas, especially the seeded new green on hole 3 and the seeded new fairway east of the bell tree on hole 4 through the green surround. The seeded fairway on hole 4 be top dressed, aerified and will need warm spring weather to simulate growth to be ready for play. The new tees, and rough have grown and matured tremendously and are ready for play.
 
Hole 3 green was seeded with bent grass seed.  In the spring it will need an initial top dressing, aerification, postemergence, fertilizer, and lowering the height of cut to the standard consistent cut of our other greens. Our agronomist has stated that the green is right on target and that warm spring breezes and warm soil temperatures will stimulate the growth needed in preparing the green for play.
 
Constructing a new green is quite like baking a cake. The recipe calls for key ingredients, proper temperature, timing, a watchful eye, and patience. When the process is complete…everyone can enjoy it and celebrate the accomplishment!!!
 
The big question is, “When will holes 3 & 4 will open in 2024?”  The answer:  As soon as possible! We have all the right ingredients in place. We are just waiting for favorable Mother Nature spring surface and soil temperatures to make the “perfect cake!”  We will keep you informed as spring develops. 
 
A special celebration is planned with an official ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrity foursomes and a party at the Pavilion! And…our deepest appreciation to David Rice, Peter Butterfield and Bob Penny whose contributions made the improvements to hole 12 possible and to Rick McCombs whose amazing generosity accomplished the restoration of holes 3 and 4.
 
To “capture the moment” we have contracted with CatchMark Technologies of Whitehall to produce a commemorative video that records the restoration of holes 3 and 4.  The video is quite spectacular with drone footage showing the “before, during and after” of the entire project.  The video is now posted on the WLGC Website for your viewing enjoyment. Here is a link to the video if you would like to enjoy it right now!
 
https://youtu.be/tD8bkjL_Gqk
 
Special thanks to Project Manager/Director Don Nellis for his tireless work, planning, logistics and resource coordination in making this project happen. 
 
And also special thanks and recognition to Dylan and his crew for how well they worked with the outside contractors in the construction of holes 3 and 4 while keeping the rest of the course last summer in pristine playing condition.

Winter Work

Superintendent, Dylan Barry, and the Grounds Crew have been busy preparing the course for the winter which includes leaf removal and applying chemical applications to prevent dollar spot damage and other fungal issues.  Our crew, along with tree removal contractors, will be removing the overgrowth of trees on hole 11 tee, hole 15 green and hole 16 tee.  Removing these trees will greatly improve the tee conditions which have suffered from lack of sunlight for the past decades.

The Crew will also create a clear pathway from the Maintenance Barn to the pavilion by trimming branches to establish a much better signal from our server enhancing the operation of the ball machine at the pavilion.  The inconsistent operation of the ball machine has been a frustration to many and, hopefully, this will resolve the past issues with acquiring range balls.

Restoration 2024

Golf course restoration work on WLGC is not complete!  As was mentioned, our Grounds Crew and hired contractors will be working this winter to create better grass growing conditions by removing numerous trees on the tees of holes 11 and 16 along with some trees behind hole 15 green. Additional tree removal will likely take place in the fall of 2024 along areas of the course where the lack of sunlight affects the health of the grass. Also, in late 2024 we are hopeful that we can begin work on the Evan McCombs Practice Facility by extending the teeing area and installing a synthetic hitting mat that will more greatly serve members, junior golf programs and clinics.  There will be much more to come on this project and the funding requirements. Course work planned for 2024 will not impact play on our eighteen-hole golf course!!

Electric Golf Carts

 We have purchased eight additional Yamaha electric golf carts that match our existing fleet of twenty-eight. This addition of golf carts will serve us well as we have run out of carts several times during the peak season.  The extra carts will also reduce the need to rent carts for special events.

In addition, we have purchased a new specialized cart for picking up range balls at the practice facility that has a protective cage system. Range balls may now be picked up while the range is in use!

 AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator)

White Lake Golf Club now has three AEDs.  One is located inside the pro shop; one is located on the outside wall of the pavilion and the third is located on the inside wall in the maintenance barn.  It is important for our entire Membership and staff to know where the AEDs are located and to feel confident using them when needed in an emergency. Always call 911 first then engage the AED. 

An AED is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.  It’s a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm, and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.  

Sense of Community

So… here we are 108 years later!  Oh…how we appreciate the insight and courage of the founders of this wonderful golf course and what this golf club has brought to our White Lake Community over the years! In the words of the late Jon Blyth, “The White Lake Golf Club has enhanced the quality of life for so many.”
 
As a private club we continuously reach out to and contribute to our greater community.  For years we have been the home course for the Whitehall High School Boys and Girls Golf Teams.  The George Hartman Scholarship has been established which awards an academic scholarship each year to the outstanding high school senior golfer for both boys and girls.
 
We have established the White Lake Junior Golf Foundation, a 501(3)(c) organization and support its many facets of junior golf.  We are a “Youth on the Course” golf club. We support the First Tee with the spring Golf Marathon and Junior Clinics. We offer student memberships with discounts for Whitehall and Montague students. We host the PGA’s Drive, Pitch and Putt as a local qualifier culminating at the Masters Tournament.  We also take our turn in hosting the annual White Lake Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing.  We host the annual White Lake Open, that includes the best golfers in the county.

  Membership

Again…thank you for your membership at WLGC and your support for our 108-year-old golf club! The fine conditioning of the course along with course improvements and course restoration would not be possible without the support of Members such as you. We are very grateful and excited about our growing and dynamic membership. 

Forthcoming the first week of January will be your 2024 WLGC Dues Statement. There is a modest dues\fees increase that assists in covering increased expenses including employee wages/salaries, fertilizers, chemicals, and fuel.  There is also an incentive to pay early. If paid by March 1st you will qualify for a $100 reduction in your dues!  There will be several options for you to consider when paying your dues. You may pay in full or take advantage of paying monthly via ACH bank withdrawals.  Additional options will also be listed with your invoice.  Please note that on the invoice you may contribute in support of the General Course Restoration Fund, the Evan McCombs Practice Facility Fund and the White Lake Junior Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
 
We have finished the 2023 season with record numbers in our Membership! We have 199 Regular Members, 100 Associate Members, 37 Junior Members, 3 Spousal Members, 12 Senior Members, 12 Student Members, 3 Honorary Members and 3 Courtesy/Heritage Members for a total of 369 Members in all categories.  From 59 members in 1916 to 369 in 2023!

 Memorial Paver Program

Much of our history is also recorded behind the first tee with the Memorial Pavers noting the loved ones that have gone on before us.  It is a beautiful tapestry of names and dates that stimulates reflection on our past.  You may access the Memorial Paver Program via the WLGC Website.

 White Lake Golf Club Website

Please visit our website and explore the many elements that it contains in support to our Membership.  You may want to click on the YouTube button at the bottom of the webpage and enjoy some of the videos that are posted there. As was mentioned, the Catchmark video of holes 3 and 4 construction is there for your viewing along with the Men’s 1991 WLGC Club Championships which includes miscellaneous interviews with Members.  

Many Thanks

In conclusion, as I have mentioned, I believe that we are living in a very exciting and historic period in the existence of our golf club.  As you read at the opening of this letter, there are key continuous improvements that have taken place over our 108 years.  The restoration that has taken place in the last two years is a significant marker in our history.
 
On behalf of the WLGC Board of Directors, thank you to the many who have contributed and volunteered for the betterment of our Club.  Our history demonstrates that volunteerism and generosity is ingrained in our club’s culture. There are too many of you to list in this letter, but please know that you are noticed and greatly appreciated by all.  We will salute you at a club celebration event early in the 2024 season!
 
With best regards,
 
Frank Lundell, Jr.-President: For the WLGC Board of Directors
Franklundell@comcast.net
 
Michelle Buchanan: Vice-president/Membership Chair
Bill Davis: Secretary
Frank Wierengo: Treasurer
Kim Staton: Greens Chair
Kathy McGreal: House Chair
Don Nellis: Restoration Project Manager
Rick McCombs: Director/Counsel
Ryan Briegel:  Director
George Jackoboice: Director   
Jim Schweigert: Director
 
P.S.- Special thanks to those of you who were able to make an appreciation gratuity donation to our Pro-shop and Grounds Crew hourly employees.  Your gifts were enthusiastically received and greatly appreciated!
 
2023 Event Results Summary