History

The ideas – or concepts – that became Grand View started with a discussion around a card table in Bill Morrissey’s basement, and the first written correspondence was a letter from Gene Reidl dated October 28, 1965 to then senator Gaylord Nelson inquiring about the availability of federal funds to use in developing a community golf course. Senator Nelson’s prompt response referred gene to the small business administration and the farmers home administration. The FHA came through, and the development got under way.

December 11, 1967, was grand view’s first annual meeting, and there were 39 members in attendance. (we still hold the annual meeting during the first 15 days of December and while the number of members has grown we’re still happy to have that many members in attendance).

May 20, 1968, (may be the date the course opened for the season) the cost of a family pass was $50.00 and a single pass was $35.00. Greens fees were $1.50 for nine holes, and $2.50 for 18 holes.

Ten years later, a family pass was $165.00 and a single pass was 95.00.

August 5, 1969 saw the start of match play championships. Champions were crowned in both a Grand View tournament (John Amburgywas the first) and a Hortonville Open tournament (Jim McDaniel of New London was the first).

January 20, 1971 Jim O’hern was retained as clubhouse manager at a salary of $10.00/week

May 11, 1971 references are found with respect to the early bird, club championships,a couples tournament, and the Web Collar tournament. The Hortonville Open tournament was re-named the Web Collar tournament as a result of sponsorship by the Wire Products company.

March 15, 1972 the Central Wisconsin Golf Association was formed, and Jim O’hern was elected president. There were six member courses at that time (Grand View is still a CWGA member course as are a majority of the original course members, and there are now a total of 11 member courses).