There’s a Lot of History Behind This Bench by Greg Kristapovich
Golf Club Board members Harry Roberson and Bee Waddelow
Twain Harte Golf Club is proud of their bench! In fact, the whole town is proud of it! Engraved into their recently dedicated “Founders Memorial” bench are the twelve names of the original Board of Directors of the Twain Harte Golf Club. (Ten of whom were Rotarians). Indeed, there is a lot of history and a lot of symbolism behind this beautiful bench! During the Golf Club’s bench dedication banquet, several dignitaries spoke, including current Golf Club President, Tom Mannix and Representative Teri Murrison; and a document from the archives was passed around: a letter informing golf club members of the first Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Twain Harte Golf Club; the letter dated July 18, 1961! The letter also provided an itemized accounting of all the golf course construction expenses (from grading and ditching, to sprinklers and architect’s fees). It had cost a mere $34,210 to build this golf course!
Posing at the bench – and whose names are engraved on the bench are Harry Roberson (left) and Bee Waddelow. Says Harry, “At the time we decided to build the golf course, I happened to be the President of the Twain Harte Rotary, and we’re the ones who built the golf course. We decided we wanted a golf course! We had some opposition. They didn’t think it could happen. Some of the townspeople didn’t think there were enough people here to sell enough memberships to start it. But after we sold memberships, we had $32,000 – and that’s what we built it with! Mr. Ray Eproson gave us this land to build it on; and so it happened!” Bee Waddelow (also pictured) is the sister of the late Paul Eby. Mr. Eby was the president of the Golf Club Board of Directors, and his is the very first name on the bench. Bee says, “Paul was very instrumental in getting the golf course started! He was the one who approached Mr. Eproson about the property. Paul donated many hours of work to getting the golf course going!” Bee is also proud of the golf course. “All they have to do is look at what’s here today!” she exclaimed. “It’s a beautiful course! It’s the biggest asset that Twain Harte has!” Roberson proclaimed! “Actually, one of the biggest assets to Tuolumne County!” Bee added. The Twain Harte Rotary is the principle sponsor of the bench. They funded the building of the bench, and we (the golf club) took care of the placement of the bench.” explained Ron DeVries, a past president of the golf club. “Danny Layne, a current member of the board is the principle person who put this (project) together. He just came on in the past year. He picked up the ball and ran!” Thank you Danny, and long live the Twain Harte Golf Course!!
