We had a conversation at the OGCOA meeting early this year about the support Valleaire Golf Club received from other courses during our darkest time, the fire of our maintenance facility in 2021.
It was a very hot May 25th of 2021. Not that it was determined to be an added factor to the happenings, but I feel it made a difference. We had a fire start in, what was later believed to be, one piece of our equipment’s engine stored in our maintenance facility. The fire took a few hours to spread to where it was noticed by 6:30 PM. Evidently completely burning down our 6000 square foot facility. All of our equipment within, and some outside of the building was lost. Had to make quick decisions, do we open tomorrow? Who do we call for help?
The building was still burning that evening, and the word got out. And it didn’t take long for our golf community to act. Texts, phone calls, emails, came flooding in with offers to help THAT NIGHT. Through the night, we had delivered from fellow courses greens mowers, rough mowers, cup cutters, sprayer, etc., basically the needs to be up and running the next day. And we did. I could name a few courses in our association that came to our aid, Hinckley Hills, Bunker Hill, Ironwood, Sanctuary of Canton…but there were so many more I can not even remember, and not even that close to our location!
Having connections, which comes by being involved in associations such as the Ohio Golf Course Owners Association and the GCSAA, is so valuable. I am attaching the letter of thanks to the GCSAA I sent. I state how humbling it was, and it can not be ever more true how humbling it is to have such support in the golf community. I do not think the overwhelming outreach would have happened if we weren’t involved in the associations.
There are difficult times in our lives when we need the support of someone around us. It turns out there are many someones, overwhelmingly. Often we forget about the people who gave us this support as soon as we get better. We are far from being better, but this letter is written to express our gratitude toward those extraordinary people who helped us when we needed them most. Forgetting could not happen. Though time will pass, your invaluable support will always
be remembered. The outpouring of generosity has humbled us.
Currently, our needs are met, thank you. We have set up our temporary ground operations out of an old fertilizer barn and tool shed. With a little creativity and some hard-working supportive staff, we can manage for the time being. We will be on the insurer’s time frame and the patience of the crew. Please note that all loaned equipment is secure and well taken care of.
Today we are secure because of you all. A clear testament that the association is doing just that, being a community. Jewels in the crown of the golf industry!
We hope no other facility will go through this. If there is a time of need for others, we will be there for you.
Sincerest regards and thanks,
Cindy Cole, GM
Steve Maclay, Superintendent
Valleaire G.C.
