VAN WERT, OH (WLIO) - A Van Wert golf course is looking back on a century of history.
The Willow Bend Golf Course celebrated their 100th anniversary, making it one of the oldest 9-hole golf courses in the state. The Van Wert Country Club was originally founded back in 1920, and their course was located at the county fairgrounds until the current location was established in 1924.
In their long tenure, they've hosted countless charity tournaments, and hosted school teams, and WBL championships. Golfers earlier in the day also had a chance to learn firsthand how much the sport has changed since the course opened.
"The golf pro had set out on many of the holes a wood driver and also some of the old putters with wooden shafts. So we made the players play certain shots with this just to show how the game has evolved, how much better the clubs are, how much better the golf ball is," explained Willow Bend Country Club's Director of Facilities and Property Management, Craig Bracken.
State Representative Roy Klopfenstein also attended the celebration to formally recognize Willow Bend for their longevity.
