“It was pure golf, the way it was meant to be,” said Mound manager Mike Riley. “This is a nine-hole course, and if you use the hickory sticks and soft balls, you’ll see how long this course was then.”
Riley, 63, worked at the Mound course after high school, then owned his own course.
Last year, he returned to the Mound course as manager. When conversations started about a 75th celebration, Riley started looking at the history of the game and the course.
“The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts brought Scottish golf pro Nipper Campbell over on a steamship in 1898 to be its head pro,” said Riley. “It was an elitist game then, but one of his students – an average guy – won the 1913 U.S. Open, and that made golf more accessible to the masses.”
Campbell later came to the Miami Valley, where he designed the Miami Valley, Madden, Moraine, Eaton, Meadowbrook, and Mound golf courses.
Riley’s met with Campbell’s grandson, Colin Campbell, to put together a display; Colin will also be at the Hickory Stick Tournament June 22.
“We’re renting 30 sets of hickory clubs, and the old balls,” said Riley. ”There’ll be a bagpiper on the course playing ‘Scotland the Brave’ with a big steak cookout afterward and a prize for the best Scottish dressed player.
“There’s a stigma about 9-hole courses now, but this is an upscale course, with a new irrigation system and clubhouse. It’s great for folks who want to play, but not for five hours.”
Activities also include a juniors tournament, a cross-country tournament, and a backwards tournament.
“We’re hoping these events will bring out new players, and will appeal to members who’ll see our course in a new way,” he said.
Pre-registration is required. For more information, go to www.moundgolf.com or call (937) 866-2211.
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