In the 1980s, visionary members saw the opportunity to expand. It was uncertain whether golfers would come out to play. There was much talk about buying the farmland across the street to build another 9 holes, but few wanted to take the financial risk. ![]() Afterward, there would be a potluck and everybody brought favorite dishes to share. In the early days, Sundays featured a “workday and potluck.” All of the families would come out in the afternoon and do any work that needed to be done around the Clubhouse and the course. Palmer continued his work and dedication to Springfield Golf Club, working in a variety of capacities until he passed away in July of 2006. The roof was so old that every time it rained, which can be often here in the Marcola valley, they had to set pots and buckets out to catch the water. The farmhouse was dated by the original plumbing, including a classic top-tank toilet. Palmer and two other ladies volunteered to run the pro shop which originally was a converted farmhouse. Volunteers did almost all of the work at the club. ![]() His entire family worked together, including his two young boys, who helped by carrying buckets of rocks to the riverbank. He and his family and friends built hole 17. The late Palmer Pitkin was one of the original 40-some members. Eventually, the last three holes were built by members to make it a complete nine-hole course. ![]() There were only three or four used carts available for rental at that time. Once you finished hole three (the current number 16 hole), you had to walk all the way down to the large Douglas fir tree on the current number 11 to play the fourth hole. It was a six-hole course beginning at what is currently the number 14 hole. In 1957, a group of approximately 20 neighbors bought some farmland in the Marcola valley area and built the Springfield Golf Club.
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