Farm Changed Into Golf Course

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30641, 6 January 1965, Page 7

Farm Changed Into Golf Course

«QOME folks are out there ° already, chasing little white balls,” said Ralph Millslagle, editor of the “Hubbard Review,” with a note of triumph in his voice. He was telling this correspondent over the telephone of the success of the people of Hardin County, lowa, in establishing a community golf course. This group of rural people is one of 46 rural non-profit associations in many parts of the country formed to take advantage of Farmers Home Administration loans recently made available for recreation developments. The Hardin county people borrowed 38,000 dollars from the Farmers Home Administration, got a 12,000 dollars loan from a life insurance company and some private money, and converted most of a 160-acre farm into a nine-hole golf course. They also constructed a pond and stocked it with

(By DOROTHEA KAHN JAFFE, in the Christian Science Monitor. Reprinted by arrangement.)

fish. “Got more golf balls than fish in it now,” said Mr Millslagle. “We’ve also got a swimming pool.” How did it start? The editor's explanation:

“Some of us wanted to play golf and didn’t care to drive 17 miles to the nearest course after work. So we decided to build our own course. Sam Brinkmeyer, a farmer, led the campaign to do this. This town is great on co-operation. We got enough people together to back the project, and they put it over.”

The Farmers’ Home Administration loan was a great help, as were the other loans, 'but important also was the volunteered labour. A community building was erected at the new centre by contributed labour. Mr Millslagle rounded up help through his newspaper.

Here is a sample of his promotional editorials, one that ran last October:

“We are going to use salvaged lumber to build a custodian's shed for storing our mowers and other equipment. Harold Norman has consented to supervise the construction. Anyone with some free time who would like to pound nails please let Harold know, and I’m sure he will appreciate the help.” The Soil Conservation Service co-operated with help in laying out the pond. A professional was called in to lay out the golf course. Those who want to use the course pay either an annual membership fee or a daily rate.

Many community recreation organisations, established before the Farmers Home Administration loans were authorised in the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, have been enabled to expand their activities as a result of these loans.

In Lake View, S.C., 170 families signed up as members of an association, agreeing to pay an assessment of 100 dollars, plus 25 dollars a year. They began at once to build a recreation pool, then got a 40,000 dollar loan from the Farmers’ Home Administration for further developments.