Country Club Marks 50-Year Milestone With Upbeat News
A number of the children and grandchildren of the founding board members of the Yalobusha Country Club were recognized during the annual meeting last Tuesday marking the 50-year anniversary of the club. The group included Charmi Weeks, Sara Nell Champion, Eddie Ray, Trent Howell, Rex Howell, John Ingram and Julie Tyler.
Country Club Marks 50-Year Milestone With Upbeat News
By David Howell
Editor
WATER VALLEY – Members of the Yalobusha Country Club celebrated the 50-year anniversary of the organization during the annual meeting last Tuesday as the founders of the organization were honored along with the dedicated members during the five decade span.
“I don’t know how they got the honor, but we are sharing this year as the 50th anniversary with the Super Bowl and Southern Living,” outgoing board president W.G. Griffin joked in comments following a meal last Tuesday.
In his remarks, Griffin described a dramatic turnaround for the organization during the last 32 months, work that included restructuring the board of directors and putting the facility back in the black after almost suffering financial demise. Griffin cited tough decisions and hard work in the swing, decisions that have led to improvements at the facility, golf course and a $100,000-plus pool renovation currently underway on the club’s 50 year-old pool, which is the largest of country clubs across north Mississippi.
Griffin recognized the hard work of former club manager Bebo Howell, who worked tirelessly at the club during the turnaround.
“He was very frugal, and that was exactly what we needed at the time,” Griffin said about Howell. “He is a man of class, he is a man of organization and planning.”
Griffin also touted the dedication of Doni and Jerry Burt, who volunteered to take over kitchen duties for the club during the restructuring.
“Thank God they adopted the Yalobusha Country Club,” Griffin added.
Following a financial report, Griffin recognized the founding board members of the club including two members still living, Lucia Holloway and Binford “Snooky” Williams. Griffin noted that Holloway served as the secretary of the first board of directors.
“Not only were you an original board member, you also signed the papers in Jackson for the charter,” Griffin told Williams.
“Here we are as a club, we’ve got money in the bank and the notes paid off, it’s unheard of W.G.,” Williams told the group, adding the success of the club comes from each of the members who have played a small part in the 50-year club history.
Williams also recalled that Hershel Howell, Jack Thompson and he worked together to start the club.
“We are the ones that bought the land for this club and signed the note. None of us could have paid it,” Williams added.
Both Williams and Holloway were presented plaques and an honorary life membership in the club.
Other members of the original board of directors included Board President Pat Holloway of Water Valley; Aron Gordon of Coffeeville; Jack Thompson, who served as treasurer; Paul Strobe, a former hospital administrator; Oscar Parson of Water Valley; S.A. Swearengen of Oakland; Clyde Pace of Coffeeville; J.C. Sides of Coffeeville; Bailey Baddley of Water Valley; William “Bill” Trusty of Water Valley; William Clyde Ray of Water Valley; and Hershel B. Howell of Water Valley, the leader of the group that started the club.
Speaking after the meeting, Griffin explained that economic development was the catalyst for the start of the club, as community leaders learned that having a country club was important as towns competed for industry.
