Michigan Golf Journal February 2020

21 February 2020 www.michigangolfjournal.com and I’m happy to share the excitement of this new chapter.” Wenk is a 1998 Shelby High School graduate who agreed to pay $391,500 for 90 percent ownership. Those funds will be used to pay off the entire OGC debt. Wenk will continue to work with Shelby State Bank, then invest $200,000 in the spring of 2020, and an additional $200,000 in the spring of 2021. The successful pioneer in the wealth management and technology industry played OGC as a member of the Shelby High School golf team and heard from his father, Carl, the course was financially underwater. The current 186 members will continue to enjoy all their current benefits and maintain 10 percent ownership in the holding company. The par 73 course opened in 1962 and became Oceana County’s first golf course. Designed and developed by Shelby and Hart golf enthusiasts, it features rolling hills with numerous trees, water hazards, and fast greens. “For us kids back then our golf course was our sanctuary,” Wenk said. “It kept us out of trouble, and it was a special place. I tell people I owe my life’s work to the fact that I played a game when I was young and what I learned from that game. It gave me the tools to be successful in other things. “I hope the kids in Shelby schools today will look at this and realize that just because you come from a small town doesn’t mean you can’t do big things. And just because you go away doesn’t mean you can’t come back and do something meaningful in your hometown.” Many of the OGC members first met Wenk on November 14, when he gave a presentation and answered questions about the sale. Some members came to that Continues on next page >>