The Wild Horse Plains Golf Course

photos & story by Thea Porter

The Wild Horse Plains Golf Course,

located three miles outside of town, was built in 1918 as an all-sand golf course because good golfing grass was scarce in that area. The nine-hole course is a member owned, non-profit organization known for its great views and wide fairways. It is opened to the public from March 15 to October 15. The golf course land is owned by the city but leased as a member-owned non-profit organization.

Members can use the golf course after the season is closed by using the drop box located outside of the pro shop. There are about 160 members, consisting of families and individuals. The golf course is run by a club president, currently Brian O'Sullivan, and vice president Gary McGraw.

The old Wild Horse Golf pro shop is located in the center of the golf course. The new pro shop is on the outskirts of the golf course, near the first hole. Six volunteers take turns running the pro shop, which sells snacks, soda, beer and wine along with some rentals. Golfing supplies are also available in the pro shop. The course has nine golf carts for rent, which are recommended due to the course's hilly terrain. Sets of power lines overhang most of the course, especially on the upper plateau areas of the course.

The course is maintained as well as it can be, trying to be as eco-friendly as possible by using few chemicals. Improvements are slow because everything is done by volunteer work according to McGraw. "The long term direction of the course is to slowly improve it," said McGraw. O'Sullivan and McGraw would like the course to become completely eco-friendly but cannot afford it at this time due to a decrease in business and increase in improvements.

According to president Brian O'Sullivan the golf course is staying alive because it is located in a small town. The course's profits in the last two years have been a lot lower than usual, which has led to a decrease in improvements to the course.

Every year there is a golf tournament where the proceeds go towards a high school program that the golf course started. Terry Kendal is the golf coach. The money goes towards the kids to golf and go to tournaments. Usually seven to eight children take part in this program every year, mostly boys. One of their students was state champ once, while another student has gotten third place twice. Dusty Burgess started out in the golf program and has since gone to a golf school to become a professional golfer.

Pete Reev has been working at the Wild Horse Plains Golf Course as a volunteer for about four years now, and feels that the golf course's mission is all about the golf experience. Trees are lined up perfectly along the edges, while the mountainous surrounding gives a golfer a relaxing view to the open fairways. The driving range has three yardage markers of 100, 150, and 200 yards. There is also a putting green and chipping area located at the front of the course for people to practice. There are no water hazards on the course but there are a few sand bunkers.

On Monday thru Thursday there is a special for green fees for two people including a golf cart, $25 for nine holes and $40 for 18 holes. Green fees for nine holes are nine dollars and 18 holes are 18 dollars for an individual.

An individual yearly membership costs $275, while a family yearly membership costs $600. A yearly membership for a child is $50 and a student is $100. An annual pass for the driving range is $50.

The golf course makes a yearly improvement of replacing all of the old grass at the end of the golfing season. "We just replaced all the old grass for a better start at the next season," Reev said. Many volunteers helped remove the old grass and lay down new grass seed before it began to frost. This is done annually so that the grass gets better and better every year.