WPRA President's Message
The February Membership meeting was an eventful and memorable one with Bill Woolard, Peoria Park District Superintendent of Golf, as the guest speaker. He spoke about the history of Madison Park and that the golf course is one of the oldest in Illinois. Bill also answered questions about how the sand traps are maintained and how the golf course is used. He made a point that young golfers are very important, and that Madison was a place where he became a caddy as his first job with the Park District, back in the 1960s.
The first rounds of golf were played at Madison in 1909. Although all the early records of Madison were lost in a fire, Bill did show a map of the golf courses from the 1940s. Everyone seemed to have a memory of Madison, with lots of conversation about playing there as kids, many years ago.
Following the presentation on Madison Park, over 25 people showed up on Saturday, February 19, for a hike I led through the golf course. We looked at the big trees and historic features of the park, as well as the ruins of the old "Swinging Bridge". We also measured what may be the biggest tree in Madison Park. It is a red oak tree with a diameter of nearly 40 inches, maybe 150 years old. Then we hiked down into Horseshoe Bottoms, stopping at a spring along the way. We crossed over to the hill prairies in St. Mary's Cemetery, and then walked back by way of Sterling. It was a great day, and everyone got plenty of good, healthy exercise.
We are always looking for speakers for the membership meeting. Calvin Coolidge Principal Blumer will be our guest at our April 21 membership meeting.