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-HISTORY OF THE ATKINSON-STUART COUNTRY CLUB –
The first Atkinson golf course, known as the “Lemmer Course,” was located in southeast Atkinson beyond the livestock yards. In fact, C.C. Raymer has a silver cup trophy which he won at a tournament there in 1916. The cup is now on display inside the clubhouse.
In the early 1920s Stuart had a nine hole sand green golf course; where the present Stuart Park and Parkside Manor Nursing Home are now located. Number one tee was situated at the nursing home and the course continued clockwise from there. The course, known as Blinn’s pasture was established by Stuart businessmen and largely used by them; namely Tom Mains, Citizens Bank cashier; Tom McGuire, William Krotter Co. employee; Frank Wilson, grocer, Dr. Stuart, a dentist; and Frank’s brother, Dr. Wilson, an M.D. John Krotter, Chuck Allman and the Max Seger boys, who were only twelve years old or so at the time, were some of the main caddies.
The next Atkinson golf course was located southwest of Atkinson and was built sometime in the 1920s. It was a nine hole sands greens course and was located just south of the present day West Holt Memorial Hospital, running east and crossed and re-crossed the Elkhorn River. Sometime in the 1930’s, when fishing became more popular for its members, the course was abandoned.
In 1961 the airport between Atkinson and Stuart gave its approval as the site for a new golf course to serve the area. Ted Manzer, manager of the Consumer Public Power District, presented his plan to form the Atkinson-Stuart Municipal Golf Association. This plan was accepted and a nine hole sands green course was built around the airport runways.
In 1971 land was purchased from Fred Wagman and the course was moved to its present day location and again a nine hole sand greens course was built. In 1973 new grass greens and tee boxes were added. In 1977 the greens were renovated after a very cold and dry winter killed them. In 1983 Keogh Electric installed new pop-up sprinklers on the greens and tee boxes.
In 1992 the members of the country club started work on two manmade lakes. When completed, the club had two lakes on the back side of the course, interlaced together to form an endless loop that included a stream, miniature waterfalls, and bridges to drive and walk across. This project included a well-fed water supply lake that is located near the fifth green, and a larger tear-drop lake measuring 400 ft in length and 50 ft across.
In 1994 the country club added an addition to the north side of the clubhouse. The bar was moved from the basement and the kitchen was enlarged. Additional basement space was also added. Once again the club’s members played a major role in this project.
In 2004 a new men’s & women’s bathroom was built near the tee box of hole #7 and #9. It also includes a shelter for cooking.
In the fall of 2008 new tee box signs were added to the course. Advertising spots were sold on the signs and the new signs were installed for the ’09 season.
In 2009 a new pump was purchased for the watering system to make it run not only more efficient, but have the capability to run any sprinkler at any time. The basement was also remodeled and is now known as The Husker Room & Blackshirts Bar. The basement was painted, a new ceiling was added, and the lighting updated. Husker murals were painted by member Megan Mitchell and tables and chairs were added. The downstairs bathroom was also remodeled. In the winter of 2009 the country club started a Friday Night Dart league to promote the new room.
In early 2010, new tile flooring was installed in the upstairs entry & hallway, as well as behind the bar and in the bathrooms. New shingles (due to a hail storm in ’09) were also installed in time for the golf season. The country club also updated its fleet of rental golf carts by purchasing ten 2005 Yamaha carts. A new range ball machine was also added to make it more convenient for our range users. A new concrete pad was added for golf cart parking and the country club also purchased a 2010 fairway mower for the upcoming 2011 golf season. Currently, the locker room area is getting a makeover which includes a lounge area with a sofa and loveseat.
The country club is also very proud to announce the creation of The Atkinson-Stuart Country Club Scholarship. $250 scholarships will be awarded to two graduating seniors from either Stuart Public or West Holt schools. Applicants must be a member of the country club to apply; they do not have to be a golfer. The family of Donald Mills will also be offering one $250 scholarship starting in 2011.
Future plans for the Atkinson-Stuart Country Club include more updating of the grounds equipment, work on the driving range, planting additional trees on the course, updating more of the flooring inside the clubhouse and possibly the addition of more cart sheds.
The country club would like to thank all of its members, both past and present, for over 40 years of success. The club would not be what it is today without its members. “ONE OF THE FINEST COURSES IN NEBRASKA !!!”
COMPLIED BY GARY LECH & PATTI SEIBERT
EDITED BY BRENT HOOEY
