We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Charlie Brekke poses next to a cedar chest he made for last year's Harlem Golf Course Annual Banquet. Brekke will have another chest for raffle and the winning ticket will be drawn during this year's banquet set for Saturday, April 1. This year's banquet and fundraising is critical to the survival of the Harlem Golf Course. Tickets for the banquet and raffles are available at merchants in Harlem and surrounding towns.
Officials with the Harlem Golf Association say the Harlem Golf Course is in financial trouble. Association Treasurer Ralph Schneider said, "Our annual projected expenses, over the next five years, exceed our normal income by $20,000+ each year." He described fundraising plans that club officials hope will save the course that first opened in 1992.
Outlining the financial challenge that must be met to open the course this spring, Schneider said, "We've projected income of about $47,000. That includes income from membership and green fees, cart storage, golf tournaments and several regular fundraisers throughout the year." The annual banquet, each spring, also has fundraisers associated with it.
The 2017 expenses, according to Schneider's projections, amount to $82,000+. In addition to regular maintenance of the course and facilities, about half the annual expenses include a pay back on a bank loan. Schneider said, "Over the last ten or so years we've been struggling to pay off our loans. The bank has worked with us on the loan, but now it's time to pay the bank."
He said, "Realistically we need $40,000 raised and in the bank when we open this spring. Without that backing, we'll run out of money before the season ends." Schneider added, "When we run out of money, it's all over. The course will have to close and everything will be auctioned off." The Harlem course serves golf players from Harlem, Fort Belknap, Chinook, Havre, Malta and the region.
Several efforts under way to
keep the course open
A "30 guns in 30 days" raffle is underway. Schneider had a table at the recent Seed Show selling tickets for the 30-day raffle. He explained that if an adequate number of these raffle tickets are sold, the proceeds would cover the anticipated shortfall for the upcoming year. That would allow the course to open with adequate funds to pay off the bank and do required maintenance. Schneider said, "Maintaining a golf course is not cheap. We are not talking about extravagant measures on the course, just the regular things necessary to keep the course and facilities in good shape."
In addition to the 30 guns in 30 days raffle, several recurring raffles will still be part of the regular fundraising activities-the annual golf banquet, Ralph's Gun's raffle and the raffle for Charlie's Cedar Chest. The annual golf tournament is set for Saturday, April 1, 6 pm at the Harlem VFW Club. The first winning ticket for the 30 guns in 30 days will also be drawn that night.
Lyle Faulkinberry will be in charge of a new fundraiser that will kick off during this year's annual banquet. A "progressive drawing" will have only 250 tickets sold with a top prize of $1,000. If that drawing is successful, Schneider said the new progressive drawing could net around $2,000 to help with maintenance at the course.
Tickets for the fundraisers are available at Richman Insurance, in Harlem, as well as several other merchants in town. Tickets are also available at locations in Chinook and Havre. Schneider said folks could call him at 353-2943 to get tickets or more information about the various fundraisers.
As to the future of the Harlem Golf Course, Schneider said, "Hope does spring eternal. But if we don't have the funds to open and maintain the course, we're done." He added, "We need the continued commitment and support from the community to continue the golf course in Harlem." Here's hoping the fundraisers work, the course opens at its regular time and folks continue to have this golfing option along the Hi-Line.
