Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
STANLEY SERVIA shoots the ball down the green as Gary Colasacco, Roman Tauer, and Tony Gheller clockwise look on and stay warm.
By IAN MINIELLY
Ironwood - Wednesday was the last day of golf at the Gogebic Country Club. Last year the course was open until Nov. 11 and they never expected to repeat that again. This year, staying open until Nov. 16, was just the topping on an excellent season. Gary Mariani, the course manager said this was an excellent year all around. The rains kept the course watered, saving money, and the club invested in new mowers and spreaders, which allowed course maintenance to occur more efficiently. All of which added up to make this is a special year for the country club.
Patti Foley said, she "golfed the course 4-5 times a week and it was in fabulous shape all season." her playing partner today, Jim Golonka said he will drive to Wausau next week to get in more golf before hanging up the clubs for the winter.
The course hosted six major tournament fund raisers this summer and many smaller tournaments to pack in as much competitive golf as possible during the short season compared to most places. "The mens and womens leagues were both up in participation this summer and the monday mixed couples league was a hit as well. Tuesday mornings 80-90 kids would come out, line up, and let 'er rip," said Mariani.
The last group for the season consisted of Stanley Servia, Gary Colasacco, Roman Tauer, and Tony Gheller. They were very happy and Gheller took some ribbing with his next to last put as it rimmed out. Following them around the course, Freddy Tijan, driving the spreader, applied the chemical solution designed to protect the grass until next spring.
With Ironwood starting a golf program next spring, Mariani intends to put more emphasis on reaching the youth in the area to support the schools program and the continued growth of the sport with kids.
Holiday in Ironwood can expect a lot more business starting soon as the course doubles as an impromptu coffee shop for a number of area golfers. During the winter they drink their coffee at the Holiday, but all spring, summer, and fall they take their coffee at the pro shop and turn it into a coffee shop. So if you want to hear about the golf course, go to Holiday and yell, "Four." You are likely to gain some attention.
