Weiser Golf Course: A little bit of history

Weiser’s golf course, named “Rolling Hills,” is owned by the nonprofit corporation Weiser Golf Association, Inc.

 The general nonprofit corporation, formed in June 1948, has a board of directors, which includes a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer, as well as other board members that are elected by the membership at an annual meeting, according to the bylaws of the corporation.

 The purpose of the corporation was, and is, to provide a golf course for the use of the people in the City of Weiser and surrounding areas. It is not a municipal golf course and receives no revenue from taxes.

 It is a public golf course supported financially by those who pay “green fees” or purchase an annual season pass to play golf.

 The present golf course is built on approximately 80 acres, which was the original site of Weiser College and Academy. A previous course existed on the same property in the early 1930s, which had sand greens (no grass on the putting surface). This old course was managed by an unincorporated association of members known as Weiser Golf Association.

 Golf course architect, Frank James (no relation to the outlaw) was contracted to design the present course, which included nine greens and tees and a practice green, which were completed in November 1948.

 Seeding of fairways and greens would take place in the spring after the ground had a chance to settle over the winter. To pay for the new course, memberships would be sold for $100 each. Annual dues would be $10, less than non-members, so that over 10 years, those that take a membership will be repaid for their investment.

 Non-golfers and businesses were encouraged to donate. By July 9, 1949, all greens and fairways were seeded. Volunteers, including members of the Kiwanis Club and Lions Club, were caring for the greens by weeding and mowing.

 A “barn-type” building was brought in from the Cavalry barns and put on a foundation at the golf course. With the help of many men and women volunteers, it became a furnished and comfortable clubhouse that served for many years. The present clubhouse was built and dedicated in 1973 and a covered outdoor patio was later added.

 Before a golf course is constructed, there must be a nearby source of water for irrigation. In 1946, three test wells were drilled on the property and more than enough water to irrigate 75 acres was found. In 1950, the City of Weiser was looking for more sources of water and entered into an agreement with Weiser Golf Association, Inc. to use excess well water found on the golf course. Donated shares of Galloway Canal water would supplement the well water. A concrete water tank already existed on the golf course property and was part of the city water system built around 1912 as storage for drinking water. 

 This tank would eventually become storage for irrigation water for the golf course. The first sprinklers were placed by hand and the pump turned on manually. The main line was down the middle of the fairways. The existing system is operated by computers with automatic pop-up heads. The main line is down the side of the fairways.

 Over the years, the golf course had enough play to require “tee times.” Men’s and women’s leagues were playing once a week. Thursday nights would have 60 or more men participating.

 Rolling Hills hosted the annual Hells Canyon Tournament, which had to have two “shotgun starts’ to accommodate the 120 or more players.

 Weiser High School golf teams were using the course for competition and practices. The clubhouse restaurant and bar were full of patrons many nights. Many of Weiser’s service clubs held their meetings there.

 The time seemed right to add another nine holes to make Rolling Hills an 18-hole course like others in the area.

 Adjoining property north of the course was available. Another nine holes were designed and constructed. Shortly after play began, and for various reasons, Weiser Golf Association, Inc. could not meet the financial obligations to continue using the new nine and would have to return to being a nine-hole course.

 Rolling Hills is not a private club but a golf course that provides an outdoor recreation opportunity. It depends on the public to pay green fees or purchase season passes. The clubhouse bar and restaurant are also open to, and depend on, the support of the public.

 The golf course in Weiser is an attraction for visitors as is our community swimming pool and fishing pond. These and other attractions, like our schools, hospital, and parks, were built because the people of Weiser volunteered their time and efforts to see their dreams and ideas become reality.

 Most of the information for this article was found in online newspaper articles contained in the Weiser American and Weiser Signal by way of the Weiser Public Library. The Washington County Clerk’s office was helpful in finding a title search. Some information came from “Weiser the Way it Was!” by Betty Derig. (Page 139).