A hundred years ago, the residents of New Prague dreamed of having a four-hole golf course, as well as tennis courts, football fields, playgrounds and other facilities in the new park planned for the city. This vision has never been realized, but a seed has been planted.
Ninety years ago, this vision did become reality. On August 21st, the New Prague Golf Club will celebrate its 90th anniversary as part of the club championship. A short program will start at 4 pm and invite the public to commemorate the pioneer of this dream 90 years ago.
The evening entertainment will be provided by the local band Little Chicago, which plays pop/rock horn band music from the 60s and 70s. Some members of the band are also long-term members of the New Prague Golf Club.
In 1921, John Nickolay converted approximately 50 acres of farmland into nine holes and 3,000 yards of fairways, tees and greens, thus starting the game of golf in New Prague. The New Prague Golf Club (NPGC) also started here.
â???? I grew up in New Prague and took this course 40 years ago. I am proud to be back here to manage the facilities, â???? Luling said. â???? In the past few years, there has been a huge resurgence in golf in our club and across the country. We are ready to continue to provide an excellent experience for local golfers. We encourage people to come out and celebrate with us in the late afternoon of August 21st. â????
Ruehling went on to say that the golf course is a huge community asset. It is not golfers from New Prague who appreciate this facility, he said. â???? Golfers from the metropolitan area are an important part of the groups participating in this course. Playing here gives us the opportunity to show off the new Prague and what a great community we have here. We thank the city leaders for recognizing this great asset. â????
In the early 1930s, approximately 70 new Prague residents paid US$15 for a single member and US$20 for family members on the golf course. From 1931 to 37, it was actually a private club. A senior member Milo Jelinek said many years ago: â???? The golf course in New Prague took a long time to be appreciated. Some old people used to make fun of those chasing that little white ball on the golf course? ? ? ? Around. If you are a golfer, you might be teased for your interest in the “ranch pool”.
With all the amazing technology for making golf clubs and other equipment today, it is hard to imagine that in the 1930s, Nickolay made his own clubs, using iron wood for the head, and stepping on a grinder to shape the hardwood in the basement of his home.
The first greens were sand/oil mixtures, which was not uncommon in that era. Golfers entering the green will use a rake-like device with flat edges to create a flat path to the cup. To clean the golf balls between the holes requires a wooden box filled with fine white sand at the tee. The golfer will screw the ball into sanity to remove grass stains and dirt.
In addition to creating and managing courses, Nickolay often takes care of courses. He has family members to help him. They chopped down the fairways at the beginning of the day, leveled the greens, and fought endless battles with gophers to keep the ground without holes. It is said that Dr. Matt Rathmanner even carried a gun in his golf bag when dealing with the “troublemaker”.
Chuck Nickolay, a long-time member, former New Prague Mayor and NPGC’s main advocate for many years, has special memories of his grandfather John Nickolay. â???? I think the most memorable experience is when I was eight years old, my grandfather would take me and some of my cousins to play with him. ÂThis is my first time playing golf, and his patience with us is amazing. ÂWe just-hit the ball to the green and have fun. ? ? ? ?
The city purchased the course in 1937 for a net price of approximately $2,000. At that time, it was a difficult task to balance the financial balance, and sometimes members needed to raise extra money for maintenance. Membership is not only difficult to obtain, many people still appear on the court despite not paying dues.
However, because the Works Progress Administration project helped the unemployed during the Great Depression, efforts to improve the curriculum were successful.
The original clubhouse was called?????The Shack.????? It was only 12 feet by 14 feet. It is built on a concrete block with blinds opened by wooden sticks. The wooden floor was covered with plywood marks. All supplies can be used for golf and food/snack. The local beer City Club Beer is the most popular. In the late 1930s, the shed expanded to 22 feet x 24 feet.
The family dinner on Wednesday night transforms the course from the only place for men to more “family gatherings.” The historian of the course stated that these dinners played an indispensable role in making the club better organized and more family-oriented.
No one can better represent the success of the golf club, the love of golf and the hospitality of Links Mikus than Clem â????Kinkyâ????. His famous line to strangers at the club is: “Hi, I am Clem Mikus”. I am very happy to meet you. ???
Mickus encourages non-local members, promotes expansion to 18 holes, and serves as a part-time manager for many years (some have little or no annual salary). When a golfer complains that the grass is too long, the fairway is not well cut, and the green shape is incorrect, he will say: “The champion will adjust.”? ?
As his friend Bob Pomije said: “If you give him a chance to meet you, he is your friend.”? ? ? ?
Scott Proshek, a new Prague native, was hired to manage the course in 1980 (and did so for 24 years). Mickusâ???? The ability to bring in members from the Southern Metro has promoted NPGC to become a successful business envied by other clubs. Hire Bessie Zelenka and Jerry Vinger as a store clerk dedicated to the Mickus family, helping non-local members obtain cheap memberships and enjoy the privileges of high-quality courses. â????
Proshek recalled one day in his early tenure, when he told Bessie that he would play a rare golf game between his duties in charge of the course. She asked who she was with, and Proshek replied, “Before we lost them, who were those people??? Dr. Marty Rathmanner, Eddy Bartyzal, Dr. Charlie Cervenka, and â??? Slugâ???? Paneck. Me. I had an unforgettable time playing with people who helped support the club in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.
Mikus became a full-time manager in 1972, nearly 20 years after he started a part-time course. Mikus died in early 1979, leaving an indelible mark on the golf course.
Since the end of the Proshek era in 1994, there have been many managers, and it was stable in 2010. Wade Brod signed a management contract with the city to lead the management of the club. Ruehling served as the daily manager and a professional NPGC club player. In the past two years, only Ruehling has been managing this course.
In the early 1950s, the new clubhouse was built for the first time. One more was added in the late 1950s. It is no longer called “?????? hut.” Another addition was in the 1960s. In the 1970s, third-level additional facilities were built.
With the help of the city’s water demand, the 1950s was also a decade of installing green grass. The green originally occupies 2,700 square feet and was considered a good size at the time. Since then, most of the greens have been enlarged. When there was a gap of more than $6,000 in unpaid bills for installation, members found a way to make up the balance through donations and grants from the FA Bean Foundation.
At the end of the summer of 1967, the construction of the Hou Jiu Dong began. 60 trees moved from the first nine holes to the back nine holes. By 1969, the new nine holes were ready. Its construction cost is only 95,000 US dollars.
Bob Brinkman is a long-term employee of Mickus (since 1959). He was a high school teacher. He pointed out: â?? We shared many ideas for changing the stadium, such as planting in different places Willows, especially in the back nine holes. We found new bunkers and berms, and changed the design of some greens. â????
Increasing the course to 18 holes greatly changed the club, making it more suitable for championships and more attractive to golfers in urban areas. Although some locals oppose this, most people realize that foreign players are needed to maintain the economic viability of the stadium. Of course, this continues to this day.
â???? Participating in these changes and additions is enjoyable and exciting, â????? Brinkman said. â???? Working in a specialty store for many years or meeting many golfers on the course is the most enjoyable. Can also participate in many club activities. â????
Proshek also pointed out that the quality of the course envied its members and members of the Southern Metro who frequent the course. At the height of the golf popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, there was a waiting list for NPGC membership. Although this is no longer a problem, the number of members has rebounded in the past two years, and the course has maintained its quality status in terms of playability.
From early spring to late autumn, the New Prague Golf Club provides thousands of golfers with what golf purists call “the great track”. Regular players from many miles away travel to New Prague every week to play a competitive golf course, which is today known for its narrow fairways and small greens.
Another strong asset of the course is its junior golf course. Established by Brinkman in the early 1980s, enhanced by Proshek and continued to this day, led by Dan Puls. â???? Kurt continues to support or improve these programs, â???? Brinkman said. Proshek pointed out that many players from the New Prague High School continue to engage in important college careers.
â??? Ninety years ago the golf pioneers of New Prague created a vision for sporting activities that is still applicable today, â???? Lulin added. â???? Whether young or old, the golf game provides you with a way out to enjoy the outdoors, watch wild animals, enjoy the company of friends, and laugh (sometimes cry) at yourself and others during good times. This is a lifelong sport and I am proud to be a part of my life. ? ? ? ?
As a lifelong resident of New Prague, Nickolay added to his list of memories. He watched his father-won several club titles, my high school team won the 4th district title in NPGC, went to state and all great I have to meet at the club. â????
Ruehling encouraged residents to come to the club on August 21 to celebrate this community asset. â???? All of us in New Prague should be proud of this golf course, whether you are a player or not. We are very happy to celebrate our 90th anniversary. â????
Brinkman responded to Ruehlingâ????s’ comments: “This city should be proud of having a picturesque and exciting golf course. â????
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Post time: Aug-23-2021