The community-built course north of Muskegon will remain open in 2020 and beyond
By Fred Inglis
Editor’s note: this story will be the first in a short series this year chronicling the saving of a small-town golf course and the efforts that go into such a noble endeavor by its people. Inglis is the current golf coach at Shelby High and is a former TV journalist on the West Coast, who grew up in Oceana County.
Christmas came early in Shelby, Michigan.
On December 18, the members of Oceana Golf Club (OGC) voted overwhelmingly 117-1 to sell the non-profit public course to local native Jason Wenk.
“I love this course and wouldn’t want to come home and see it overgrown or die,” Jason Wenk said. “So, I thought this was a unique way to come in and fix the organizational and financial structure. There’s no reason this can’t be the finest golf course within 100 miles from here.
“The people around the club are so passionate about the history of the course, 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 initial meeting believing this deal sounded too good to be true, but most of them left impressed by Wenk’s proposal.
“I found him quite sincere,” said OGC member Dennis Morgan. “There are people out there who want to give back with no strings attached. Folks may not be used to that idea and suspicion ensues. I think it’s a no brainer.”
The 39-year-old Wenk lives in Venice, California and has made a fortune as developer of several successful financial investment corporations. He is now busy as founder and CEO of the recently launched Altruist Corporation in the Los Angeles area, with no intention of operating the day to day duties of his hometown golf course.
“I think it’s incredibly important that it continues to be run by local people,” Wenk said. “I believe you hire the best people and let them do their job. They just need more resources.”
One of those folks is OGC Head Grounds Superintendent Corey Parmalee, a former high school golf teammate to Wenk.
“He’s genuine, compassionate. Even this fall, Jason kept in contact with me and wanted to make sure that my family’s needs were met,” Parmalee said. “He’s given us hope instead of that ‘here we go again’ kind of thinking. We’re going to be able to take care of this place much easier and quicker, too.”
Check back in with us the next few months to read more about the progress of a renewed OGC.
