Once upon a time Tom Pieratt, Bill Elliott, Jerry Saelens, Mac Bankroft and Art Smullen, the latter being the sub, worked downtown and played golf on Saturday at Reeves Golf Course. The year was 1962 when Art obviously uncomfortable with the substitute role, decided it was time to enroll more golfers.
These 5 fearless golfers decided it was time to start soliciting fellow golfers and before long there were 16 members. Upon retirement for all of them during the year 1963 it was decided the group needed a structure and so in April of 1963 the Par Hopers Golf Club came to be. Pieratt became the president and Elliott the treasurer, membership fees were assessed @ $2.00/year.
Before long and perhaps due to the layout of Reeves golf course which seems ideal for senior golfers, the group grew. There has been a Par Hopers golf season at Reeves ever since. In fact, the Par Hopers were actually instrumental years ago in the renovation of the present Reeves Club House. Today there are about 75 members and there seems to be room for more. Of course this is only a synopsis of the story.
Operation of the club is set by the ten member Board of Directors. Four of these members are actually permanent board members as they cover essential needs for the daily operation of the league over the course of the year. These members are the secretary, the treasurer, the Head Starter and the Statistician. These positions are approved each year by the board. The remaining members are elected to three year terms year by the membership at large. Two incumbents step down and 2 new members are elected to the board by the membership at large. Officers and Committees are then elected by the board members. Needless to say, the Directors are volunteers and there is no compensation for their services. All members of the club are eligible to hold office.
Rules for new competitions will be distributed at the club starter's table