First Golf Course Located at Hines farm
by Pat Beyers

  Scotland's gift, golf, found its way to Pipestone in 1921. In June a movement was launched to lease a piece of ground, erect a club house and to prepare golf links and tennis courts.
  A meeting was held in the office of attorney MJ Meeker. A committee constituted of Sid Robson, GP Gurley, CH Williams, FH Burgert and GS Evarts was formed to arrange for leasing some ground. About 50 people signed up to become members.
  In July the first board of governors was selected. Besides Robson, Gurley, Meeker and Williams, EJ Feldman and Dr Jack Shapler formed the first board.
  Some problem must have developed. The July 22 Star reported there would be a change in location to the Jerry Hines farm, two miles north on the east side of Trunk Highway 75 instead of on the Even farm, where the course was first laid out. Hines ran a race track and held an annual July 4 celebration on his land but old-timers remember the location as being five, not two miles north of town.
  The golf links were next located at the Johnson Quarry on the DN Kilby dairy farms, just below Indian Lakes, where the dam is. It was a nine hole, sand green course. Those played it say it was a challenging course with a par six on the ninth hole, because of the slough.
  An eight foot long bull snake resided in the slough. Avid golfer Jack Dressen said the snake was a good addition as it kept the rodents out. He helped with the upkeep of the course.
  A refreshment stand was run by Wendell Keeler, Shirley Moen and others while this course was used. They sold pop and candy and collected the greens fees.
  The May 17, 1940 Star reported that the old course northwest of the city wouldn't be available. A new golf course was planned again at the Henry Even farm located at the southwest corner of the city. A 40 acre tract was leased with the option to buy it and 120 acres directly south of it. The original tract wasn't sufficient size for a nine-hole course so a five-hole sand green course was planned.
  The entire 180 acres, a tract 80 rods wide and a full mile long, ran along the "old route" of Highway 75. The star said the whole tract could ultimately be taken over for a municipal golf course and a municipal airport, Bob Hyde Sr was responsible for buying the land.
  A year later it was reported that golf pro Ed Livingston of the Elmwood Club in Sioux Falls had spent the day laying out the course. Tentative plans were for nine holes with two long par fives, two short par threes and five par four holes. Two of the par fours would be on dog leg fairways. An additional 20 acres had been obtained by the city.
  A decision to incorporate and purchase the land from the city was made by local golfers in March 1945. Shares were offered at $100 and about 65 were sold by March 22nd. Tedd Evans was in charge of the stock distribution.
  The Pipestone Golf Club voted to build a club house at the northwest corner. They had planned to move the Tamarac Tavern building from Cazenovia but the plan was abandoned in favor of the more elaborate scheme."
  A decision was made to pay club dues. A male player would be charged $10, a member's wife $5, a single lady $7.50 and an out of town member would pay $7.50.
  Work began on the $20,000 club house in July 1946. Only the basement would be completed the first year. Part of the basement was made into to an apartment with two bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bath for caretaker Don Rodvold and family.
  "The new structure will be 48 by 54 feet. A 14 foot porch along the east will overlook the ninth green," the Star said. "The main floor will have a 34 by 40 foot dining room with fireplace, kitchen and a pro's room. The basement will be divided into lockers, shower, rest rooms and a 34 by 40 foot card room with a bar."
  The city of Pipestone sold the 160 acres of land to the corporation for $6,000. In 1957 an agreement between the Pipestone Country Club and the city was signed. The city agreed to build a sewer line from the southeast corner of block four in Ash Grove Park addition (Park Plaza building) to the clubhouse.
  In return the club agreed to pay $989 to the city any time on request of the mayor. The club agreed to purchase water for use in the clubhouse at regular rates and to pay $1.50 per year for water necessary for watering greens and fairways on the course. The "regular" sewer fee would be paid to the city.
  The building and its contents were valued at $26,000. Jack Dressen and Frank Frahm "ran all over the country" getting kitchen equipment and furniture for the building. The building had log siding for a rustic effect. The building was completed a year later by Chuck Rollefson. The sand greens were changed to grass in the late 40s or early 50s.
  The board of directors has always struggled to keep dues down, yet maintain the course and building. In 1965 Joe Carson said "We planted 100 new trees on the course last fall, so now let's go out and get 50 new members to help us enjoy them."
  The original articles of incorporation set a due limit of $50. As costs of operating and maintenance escalated, it was necessary to change the articles.
  Golf cart storage was added to the building in the late 50s. Plans were drawn by Frank Walker. George Bryan did the carpentry.
  Wide siding replaced the log siding in 1960. Sand traps were added the year before.
  Plans for the present clubhouse were drawn after the city purchased the old clubhouse for use as a youth center. The city paid $50,000 for the building and land, using the funds from the Paul Ewert bequest. They in turn sold the Country Club two acres of land on which to build the new clubhouse.
  Country Club members continued to lease the Ewert Center building during the 1970, while the present building was under construction by Herb Schmuck. The new clubhouse was initiated with a New Year's Party to welcome in 1971. Profits from parties and bridge marathons were used to purchase drapes in July.
  Members hoped to build tennis courts and a swimming pool but finances haven't allowed those improvements. Three other buildings were added to house maintenance equipment and privately-owned golf carts. A chain link fence was installed between the Ewert Center and the number one green.
  In 1971 membership was limited to a total of 225 and dues were at $119.60 (including tax) for a family membership.
  Trees are an important part of any golf course. Adding new trees is a constant part of maintenance. Repeated damage is caused to them, and to the greens, by snowmobiles.
  Basic rules of the club state all residents of Pipestone must have a membership and a share of stock. A share cost $100 and can be purchased all at once or at $10 per year. Stock is non-transferable.
  New dues for 1982 are $200 for an individual and an additional $35 for a spouse. Senior citizens will pay $190 as will out of town members (also $35 for spouse of non-resident). Under the individual membership concept, the non-golfing spouse is entitles to attend all social events. Children of a member will be assessed $15 with a maximum of $30 per family. An individual social membership (non-golfing) now costs $15. College students pay $80 and high school students $45 per year. The school district also pays a fee so phy ed students can be taught to play golf.
  Club Manager Blas Brual says dues were raised because costs of equipment and fuel have soared. He is paid to keep the golf course in good condition. Brual has a high praise for a multi-purpose vehicle recently purchased by the club. It aerates turf, sands (top dresses) the greens and applies fertilizer. He says use of the vehicle means players can get on the greens sooner. He estimates golfers will be playing about three weeks unless the area received more snow.
  The manager maintains the club for members and keeps it open during the summer and for prescribed social functions.
  He rents the facility for wedding receptions, farm meetings, class reunions, Christmas parties and other social functions. A percentage of his proceeds go into the club's coffers.
  The Kiwanis Club, Christian Women and Aglow Fellowship use the facility on a regular basis. Years ago the Toastmasters, Lion's Club and Y's Men also met there.
  Clarence Moen holds the earliest issue of stock (numbered two) of any current member. His share was issued July 2, 1945. He was secretary of the newly incorporated group at that time. Other area purchasers were Les Argetsinger, Francis Walkup, Ed Alton, George Tatman, Stan Morgan and AR Howard.
  Men's night is Tuesday and Ladies Day is Wednesday. Bridge is also on Friday nights at the club by members, during the off season.

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