Chuck Olson, the Wawashkamo Golf Club’s golf pro, said the club had a successful year. He is pictured at the club. This year’s season at Wawashkamo Golf Club had a strong turnout and increase in membership, and introduced a seasoned golf professional to care for the private club this summer.

At the annual meeting Saturday, August 25, new board members were elected by the club members. Russ Sager became the club’s president, Gary Cousino became the vice president, Jim Reitman was elected treasurer, and Lorna Straus was elected secretary.

Club professional Chuck Olson said this year’s golf season saw increases in all facets of the business.

“The club is financially in good order,” Mr. Olson said, “and we’re 15% up in rounds played. Our memberships levels are also up slightly.”

Mr. Olson said the club has seen a number of stagnant years in membership and number of rounds played. He added that member events were well received, and guest players and tournament play were both up this year.

He attributed the growth in the club’s business to two factors. One was the consistently warm weather this summer, with little rainfall, and the other was a busy summer for tourism on Mackinac Island.

The club has worked on a number of projects over this summer, including a new Web site, and offering package deals with various hotels.

Mr. Olson has more than 35 years of experience as a PGA professional, most of his time spent at golf courses in Traverse City. But the history of Wawashkamo is of special interest for him. Before studying professional golf management at Ferris State University, Mr. Olson had planned to study history. With the club’s unique history, and the location of the Battle of Wawashkamo in 1814, he gets a chance to enjoy both of his interests.

“That’s a pretty fun part of the job for me,” he said, “teaching guests about the history here, including the golfing tradition and the battle site.”

“It’s been a great year this year, and it’s really fun to assimilate to both the locals’ needs and the members who come to visit us.”

Club Event Results

The Ladies Club Championship was held August 20 and August 21. Low gross score and overall Ladies Club champion was Martha Cousino, who shot a two-day total of 164 to beat second place Lin Sheppard by three strokes. The low net score champion was Sandra Orr.

In the Men’s Club Championship

August 25 and August 26, the overall champion was Dave Levy, who also received the lowest gross score. He shot a two-day total of 155, edging out second place, and low net score winner Gary Cousino by five shots.

The last member event for the summer was August 29, with 40 members participating. Doug Rearick and Debra Orr won the two-person alternate event with a 37, two under second place finishers Dave and Lin Sheppard. The event ended with a grilled steak dinner and dishes passed among the club members. Jeff Dupre, Dick Gillis, and Jeff Patton helped with the cooking at the catered event.