Located at: 1036 Sunny Knoll Drive, Galesburg, IL 61401
Contacts: Business Office - (309) 342-4431 : Fax - (309) 342-3829 : Golf Shop - (309) 343-5915 : Restaurant - (309) 343-5912 Swimming Pool - (309) 342-2413 Grounds - (309) 342-4341 E-mail Us
Contacts: Business Office - (309) 342-4431 : Fax - (309) 342-3829 : Golf Shop - (309) 343-5915 : Restaurant - (309) 343-5912 Swimming Pool - (309) 342-2413 Grounds - (309) 342-4341 E-mail Us
1995 - Golf ball washers were bought for the tees and cart paths on #11 and #18 were blacktopped.
The dirt dam was bulldozed of brush and trees and the swinging bridge was temporarily closed for safety reasons.
1996 - A room divider for the dining room and a computer for the club office were purchased.
A 20 x 40 shelter was built at the old club house site at a cost of $5,250.
Cart paths on #1, 2, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, & 16 were blacktopped.
The Blue Waves swim team beat Peoria for the first time. The team has gone from 3 swim meets in 1991 to 8 meets in 1996.
1997 - In 1996 an engineering firm determined that the swinging bridge could be restored. It was rebuilt at a cost of $4,500. The rebuilding was done by Layton Sandall, Don Miles, Chris Paisley, Doug Pickrel and myself. The work started in November 1996 and finished in February 1997 with a total of 360 man hours. The suspension bridge will now remain a landmark for future generations to come.
New carpet was installed throughout the clubhouse and a tuner and CD player was purchased. The club house was also painted with volunteer help.
Playground equipment was bought and a sand volleyball court was constructed in the park area.
The dirt dam was bulldozed of brush and trees and the swinging bridge was temporarily closed for safety reasons.
1996 - A room divider for the dining room and a computer for the club office were purchased.
A 20 x 40 shelter was built at the old club house site at a cost of $5,250.
Cart paths on #1, 2, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, & 16 were blacktopped.
The Blue Waves swim team beat Peoria for the first time. The team has gone from 3 swim meets in 1991 to 8 meets in 1996.
1997 - In 1996 an engineering firm determined that the swinging bridge could be restored. It was rebuilt at a cost of $4,500. The rebuilding was done by Layton Sandall, Don Miles, Chris Paisley, Doug Pickrel and myself. The work started in November 1996 and finished in February 1997 with a total of 360 man hours. The suspension bridge will now remain a landmark for future generations to come.
New carpet was installed throughout the clubhouse and a tuner and CD player was purchased. The club house was also painted with volunteer help.
Playground equipment was bought and a sand volleyball court was constructed in the park area.
"Looking Back"
During all the years I have been at Lake Bracken there have been many people who have given their time, use of their equipment, and donations to help see the club through the hard times. I would like to thank each and every one of them.
"A Thankless Job"
As club manager, I would like to add special recognition to all those who have served on our board of directors. At times these positions can be thankless at best, with board meetings, maintaining annual dues at a minimum, and having special meetings regarding I.E.P.A. and the oil spill with many of the meetings being held in Springfield. It goes without saying, but the actual operations running our club can be a 24 hour a day job.
Lake Bracken is a club that many would envy with our 800 acres of lake, golf course, swimming pool, farm ground and 148 home sites, not to mention the scenic timber landscape that decorates our borders.
I feel it is equally important to mention our current President of Lake Bracken, Carl Nixon. Carl comes from a long line of generations that lived at Lake Bracken also. He has held many different titles beginning with working with past club manager, Don Wright. Carl helped maintain the lake, park and clubhouse. Years later he was our lake patrolman. Carl then became our club secretary from 1977 - 1978. He served on the board and became president of the club. Carl has lived and raised his family here in the boundaries of this unique family oriented community. - Larry Hovind
Lake Bracken is a club that many would envy with our 800 acres of lake, golf course, swimming pool, farm ground and 148 home sites, not to mention the scenic timber landscape that decorates our borders.
I feel it is equally important to mention our current President of Lake Bracken, Carl Nixon. Carl comes from a long line of generations that lived at Lake Bracken also. He has held many different titles beginning with working with past club manager, Don Wright. Carl helped maintain the lake, park and clubhouse. Years later he was our lake patrolman. Carl then became our club secretary from 1977 - 1978. He served on the board and became president of the club. Carl has lived and raised his family here in the boundaries of this unique family oriented community. - Larry Hovind
EDITOR'S NOTE:
I have spent countless hours at my computer transcribing notes, past written history, and comments from committee meetings. Every effort was made to accuracy and "painting a clear picture" of the history of Lake Bracken. Dick Watson, and Larry & Phoebe Hovind were invaluable in the information they provided. Many committee meetings were spent listening to stories of the "old times" which I truly enjoyed. The more 1 worked on the club history the more appreciative I became of the club I belong to and live at. A very sincere thank you needs to be given to Larry Hovind and his crew. As 1 drove to work at 7:30 a.m. in .the winters I always had clear, safe roads to drive on even after 12" inches of snow!In the summer I drive through a beautiful golf course that Larry and his crew have been working on all day to keep it that way.I'm sure Larry's job often seems like a thankless one for essentially every member is his boss and I'm sure it's not easy keeping all of us happy. I'm taking the privilege of speaking for the entire membership and thanking you for a job well done!
My feelings for the next 75 years? I can only hope that the current board and future boards keep in mind the vision of our founders - keeping Lake Bracken a club for entire families to enjoy as have past generations - Chris Shipman
My feelings for the next 75 years? I can only hope that the current board and future boards keep in mind the vision of our founders - keeping Lake Bracken a club for entire families to enjoy as have past generations - Chris Shipman
