Golf course celebrates independence

Eagle Valley Golf Course will be offering free golf Sunday to celebrate its five-year anniversary as a private golf course.

The day includes two equipment demonstrations by Nike at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., free golf for those who sign up in advance and $1 hot dogs and beer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., said General Manager Michael McGehee.

He said the day was planned as a way to show thanks to the community.

Eagle Valley Golf Course is 15 years old, but for the first 10 years it was owned and operated by Carson City. Five years ago a nonprofit organization, the Carson City Municipal Golf Corporation, was formed to take over management of the course when the city no longer found it financially feasible.

"It's the board's way of showing thanks to the community for the support they've given," McGehee said.

A board of directors was formed to manage the facility on Aug. 1, 1997.

Although the city still owns the golf course, Chairman Mark Sattler said it has no management responsibilities.

"It eliminates the bureaucracy," McGehee said.

Thursday, the actual five-year anniversary, the board of directors will thank its employees with a barbecue, Sattler said. Friday, the course will thank other people who have been involved in the golf course such as city staff members. There will be free golf and a barbecue for them.

The last five years have been difficult, Sattler said.

"A lot of people didn't think we would succeed," he said. "We were running it on a shoestring."

But he also said many people did believe in them, and that is why the golf course is still running.

"This weekend is going to be a way of thanking them," Sattler said.

The contract for the Carson City Municipal Golf Corporation was renewed for another five years, with an annual rollover every December.

"Hopefully, it will be here for many years in the future," Sattler said.

IF YOU GO:

What: Eagle Valley Golf Course five-year anniversary as a private course

Where: Eagle Valley Golf Course

When: all day Sunday

Cost: Free golf for those who sign up in advance, $10 per person for a cart. $1 hot dogs and beer

Call: 887-2334 to sign up for a time to play golf Sunday