CHARITY EVENT A BIG HIT AT SALEM MUNICIPAL - August 1st, 2009
Salem Municipal Golf Course hosted its first captain’s choice golf tournament in the name of charity in more than a decade on Saturday, August 1st. 64 golfers took part in The Bob Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the scholarship fund in his name with the Salem Educational Foundation. A perfect weather day greeted the golfers, who were treated to a bountiful lunch courtesy of Mac and Bob’s. The winning team finished at 11 under par with a round of 57. The members of that team are (L to R) Corey Carter, Mack Johnson, Zach Johnson, Brad Boeji. They are pictured with Salem City Councilwoman Jane Johnson, who organized this year’s event in memory of her late husband, Bob.
SALEM MUNICIPAL TO HOST CHARITY TOURNAMENT ON AUGUST 1st, 2009
Salem Municipal Golf Course has been enjoying a tremendous comeback this spring and summer since turning back the clock and returning the course to its “sand greens” roots. Now, the course is bringing back something that’s been missing for more than a decade, a captain’s choice golf tournament in the name of charity. Saturday August 1st, the course will play host to The Bob Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the scholarship fund in his name with the Salem Educational Foundation. This will be the first charitable tournament on the sand greens at Salem Municipal since 1996.
| BOB JOHNSON MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT: | |
REGISTRATION DEADLINE |
JULY 25TH |
COST |
$35 PER PERSON |
TWO FLIGHTS |
8:30AM & 1:30PM |
MORE INFO: |
(540) 387-9802 |
SALEM MUNCIPAL’S GRAND REOPENING A "SAND-SATION” - June 6th, 2009
The Salem Municipal Golf Course proved on Saturday, June 6th, that something old really can be new again. The 90-year-old course held its official Grand Reopening after a winter’s worth of course upgrades that returned the putting surfaces to their sand greens roots.
Assistant City Manager, Jay Taliaferro, welcomed those in attendance to the festivities and talked about the history of the Academy St. course that has hosted nearly a quarter of a million golfers since 1919.
Course Manager Chuck Johnston, Mayor Randy Foley and Salem City Council members Lisa Garst, Jane Johnson and Bill Jones took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and also showcased their putting skills on the new “greens.” Citizens ranging in age from 8 to 80 also tested out the putting surface and enjoyed a lunch on the lawn behind
the clubhouse.
Salem Municipal is one of the best golf bargains in all of Virginia. Kids 18 and under can play all day, any day, for just $5, while seniors can play as many rounds as they like for just $8 on weekdays. All other adults are just $9. On the weekends the rate jumps to $10 for adults, but kids can still hit it as many times as they like for just $5.
"HERE’S WHAT THE MEDIA IS SAYING ABOUT
SALEM MUNICIPAL’S MAKEOVER" - May 14th, 2009
WDBJ-7 SPORTS
http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=10357073&nav=menu368_4
THE ROANOKE TIMES
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/197587
"BACK TO THE FUTURE" May 13th, 2009
“Turning Back the Clock” at the Salem Municipal Golf Course has been a hit so far with area golfers. Since the putting surfaces were changed from artificial turf to their original sand and clay consistency this winter, golfers have been returning to the course in record numbers. In April 2009, the first full month the course was open since its renovation, 339 rounds were played. In comparison, just 133 were played at the course in April of 2008. Salem Municipal is open seven days a week, and the city is planning a Grand Reopening on Saturday, June 6th, at 11am.
Recently, WDBJ-7 Sports Reporter and Anchor Grant Kittelson tried out the putting surfaces and gave them a thumbs up. “I wish I had known about Salem Municipal when I was learning how to play golf because it would have helped my progression greatly,” says Kittelson. “It’s a great place for kids or adults to learn the game without having the challenge of a 7200 yard course.”
SALEM MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
Salem Municipal Golf Course was built in 1919 on a 46 acre tract of land just a few blocks from the center of the city. The picturesque par 34, nine-hole, 2400 yard course is the perfect place for new golfers of any age to learn the game in a relaxing atmosphere.
The historic course was recently renovated during the winter as crews return the putting surfaces to their roots. Since 2001, the greens at the course have consisted of artificial turf and over time they became increasingly slick and treacherous for even the most talented players.
Workers from the city under the direction of Streets and Maintenance Director, Mike Tyler, ripped out the “worn out carpet” and replacing it with the sand greens that were the course’s trademark during its heyday.
The sand greens are made up of a combination of sand and clay and they have a consistency similar to the infield of a baseball diamond. The third and key ingredient in the mix is the bonding agent that holds the sand and dirt together. Durasoil is a synthetic, organic, environmentally friendly product that helps the greens remain packed and maintain a consistent roll.
“The thing I’m really seeing is people who haven’t been here in a while returning to the course and enjoying themselves,” says Salem Municipal Director, Chuck Johnston. “The golfers just love the new putting surfaces and the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.”
Even with all of the changes, the best news is that the price to play remains the same. Kids 18 and under can play all day, any day for just $5, while seniors can play as many rounds as they like for just $8 on weekdays. All other adults are just $9. On the weekends the rate jumps to $10 for adults, but kids can still hit it as many times as they like for just $5.
City officials have planned a formal grand re-opening for the course on Saturday, June 6th.
SALEM MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE FAST FACTS Built in 1919 |
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