Our oldest daughter Gaye Lynn married Tom Burek and he is the pool manager and swim coach. They have two daughters Caylyn and Laine. They both are very active in swimming. Torry married John DeVena and they have two children, Seth and McKinLC. Seth is active in basketball and swimming. McKinze is 6 months and she also enjoys the water.
Phoebe and I and the girls have seen hard times for Lake Bracken. The closing of the lake for swimming and not having movies on Sundays, to the closing of the clubhouse for two years. The most devastating, on Tuesday, January 6th, 1987 at 7 a.m. as we watched the clubhouse burn down. We have seen good times. The new pool and a new maintenance building. We have seen a new water system put in on the golf course and a new clubhouse overlooking an 18 hole golf course. Two new shelters; one being at the pool and the other built on the old clubhouse site. In 1997 the swinging bridge was rebuilt and will remain a landmark for future generations.
To date Phoebe and I have had four generations living at Lake Bracken.
Until 1975 Lake Bracken Country Club was run by two people. One was the club manager and the other golf course superintendent. When Don Wright told the board he would be retiring in 1974, the Board asked if I would take over his duties as club manager. There would no longer be two positions. At that time, and since then, superintendent and manager would become one full time, around the clock position. As you read on you will see the hard times ahead in the 80 's.
1974-1985
Lake stocking of catfish, approximately 3,000 each year. In the late seventies, Pat Flanagan, Kathy Alstedt, and Nancy Scattergood started synchronized swimming at the club pool. These women, along with many dedicated people, put a tremendous amount of time, effort, and care into this project. A swim show was presented each summer for the members and soon became a tradition for the 4th of July festivities. The shows always had a theme and included many groups, costumes, props, and children ranging from 4 through 21 years of age. The swim show tradition ended sometime in the middle eighties.
1979 - President Don Gillenwater advised the Carlson History book is ready to be printed at a cost of $850 for 1,000 copies.
The old golf shop on #3 tee was torn down. It was built in 1929 for the 9 hole golf course.
A motion was made that I go ahead and get bids on a truck and plow for the club. The truck was ordered and on January 8, 1980 arrived. The 1980 Ford is still in use today.
The playground equipment was moved to the pool area, so a parking lot could be put closer to the old clubhouse for shorter walking distance.
Three I'_" pipes were put in the earth dam to be able to lower the lake.
1980 - New windows were put in the old clubhouse dining room. Johnson Blacktoppng Co. blacktopped the parking area at the golf shop. Cost: $6,130.
1981 - L.B.C.C. and Wee-ma-took Hills C.C. reached a reciprocal agreement.
Greensmower broke down and $800 will be needed for new mower. Larry will operate with only one mower to cut down on cost.
Septic tank at clubhouse still continues to cause problems. It will cost approximately $4,000 for a new system with sandfilter.
President Don Gillenwater proposed four alternatives to the current and future financial problems of the club:
1. Assessment of $70 per family
2.Increase dues in 1982 to cover half of $50,000 lease fees plus new budget.
3. Ask Bracken Holdings Corporation to retroactive the lease fee to this year and relief be given in 1982.
4. Have Bracken Holdings and L.B.C.C. directors merge and become one board.
Phoebe and I and the girls have seen hard times for Lake Bracken. The closing of the lake for swimming and not having movies on Sundays, to the closing of the clubhouse for two years. The most devastating, on Tuesday, January 6th, 1987 at 7 a.m. as we watched the clubhouse burn down. We have seen good times. The new pool and a new maintenance building. We have seen a new water system put in on the golf course and a new clubhouse overlooking an 18 hole golf course. Two new shelters; one being at the pool and the other built on the old clubhouse site. In 1997 the swinging bridge was rebuilt and will remain a landmark for future generations.
To date Phoebe and I have had four generations living at Lake Bracken.
Until 1975 Lake Bracken Country Club was run by two people. One was the club manager and the other golf course superintendent. When Don Wright told the board he would be retiring in 1974, the Board asked if I would take over his duties as club manager. There would no longer be two positions. At that time, and since then, superintendent and manager would become one full time, around the clock position. As you read on you will see the hard times ahead in the 80 's.
1974-1985
Lake stocking of catfish, approximately 3,000 each year. In the late seventies, Pat Flanagan, Kathy Alstedt, and Nancy Scattergood started synchronized swimming at the club pool. These women, along with many dedicated people, put a tremendous amount of time, effort, and care into this project. A swim show was presented each summer for the members and soon became a tradition for the 4th of July festivities. The shows always had a theme and included many groups, costumes, props, and children ranging from 4 through 21 years of age. The swim show tradition ended sometime in the middle eighties.
1979 - President Don Gillenwater advised the Carlson History book is ready to be printed at a cost of $850 for 1,000 copies.
The old golf shop on #3 tee was torn down. It was built in 1929 for the 9 hole golf course.
A motion was made that I go ahead and get bids on a truck and plow for the club. The truck was ordered and on January 8, 1980 arrived. The 1980 Ford is still in use today.
The playground equipment was moved to the pool area, so a parking lot could be put closer to the old clubhouse for shorter walking distance.
Three I'_" pipes were put in the earth dam to be able to lower the lake.
1980 - New windows were put in the old clubhouse dining room. Johnson Blacktoppng Co. blacktopped the parking area at the golf shop. Cost: $6,130.
1981 - L.B.C.C. and Wee-ma-took Hills C.C. reached a reciprocal agreement.
Greensmower broke down and $800 will be needed for new mower. Larry will operate with only one mower to cut down on cost.
Septic tank at clubhouse still continues to cause problems. It will cost approximately $4,000 for a new system with sandfilter.
President Don Gillenwater proposed four alternatives to the current and future financial problems of the club:
1. Assessment of $70 per family
2.Increase dues in 1982 to cover half of $50,000 lease fees plus new budget.
3. Ask Bracken Holdings Corporation to retroactive the lease fee to this year and relief be given in 1982.
4. Have Bracken Holdings and L.B.C.C. directors merge and become one board.
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
