With golfers heading out for a relaxing game on the greens, Adam Hohlfeld and Todd Dahl are gearing up for a busy season of working to keep the Holdrege Country Club successful inside and out. They are preparing for the thousands of golfers, diners and event participants who will gather at the club this summer for fun, food, socializing and relaxation.
Adam, who is the golf course ground superintendent, said the Holdrege course is unique because of its two different styles of courses on the front nine and the back nine. "The front nine is more of a classic-style golf course, narrow fairways and water coming into play on all but two holes," Adam said. "The back nine is a different style in that it is a wide-open layout. It's more of a modern look."
"When you come here, you get two different styles of golf," he said. Both Todd and Adam work to promote golf as a fun, relaxing sport or a family activity.
This summer, like last summer, the course is planning two youth golf programs, one for youth members and one that is open to any youth. The member-only program will be on Wednesday mornings starting June 5 from 9-11 a.m. Youth can register by calling Darlene Thalken at 995-2339. The Junior Golf that is open to all youth will be on Thursday mornings starting June 27 and will be instructed by Andy Cox. Registration details will be available soon.
"Youth are the future of golf, so we want to get more kids interested in it," Adam said. The country club has around 280 members, including some from out of town. Those who are not members are welcome to play the course twice during a season.
"We always welcome new club members," Todd said.
"I think the Country Club is an asset to the community," Todd said. "Not many small towns have an 18-hole golf course," adding that they get lots of complements from golfers on the quality of the course.
Adam said not too many changes are planned for the course this summer, but he is working on a few new areas of landscaping and will install new tee-boxes.
Todd, whose company Dahl and DG LLC leases the clubhouse restaurant for meals, drinks and events, said "a lot of work is upon us."
Todd, who also works fulltime at BD, will serve up to 3,000 people per month this summer between various events, such as class reunions, weddings and golf tournaments in addition to the regular diners at the restaurant.
Outside of the summer events, the Country Club hosts annual Easter and Mother's Day buffets that draw in up to 250 people each.
After the summer busy season, he already has four weddings and six wedding rehearsals booked for September and October.
The dining room is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 11:30-1:30 and in the evenings Wednesday through Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to close and is always open to the public during those times.
The restaurant has a full menu that includes items such as fish tacos, salads and chicken. But their specialty is prime rib and braised beef tips.
"We're beef country so we do a ton of beef," Todd said.
Todd also manages the clubhouse that is on the lower level and is open to golfers at the same time the course is open, usually opening at 8 a.m. during the summers.
During the peak season, the country club employs up to 26 employees between the grounds crew, restaurant and club house.
The Country Club is governed by a board of directors. Jim Wiser is the current president.
For information on course membership, golf tournaments, leagues or other news, visit the web site at holdregecc.com.
