wallowa valley golf foundation
Golf is a Life-Long Activity For People of All Ages, Backgrounds, and Skill Levels
OUR VISION
The Wallowa Valley Golf Foundation is dedicated to securing a sustainable future for the public golf course in the Wallowa Valley. Through donations, fundraisers, events, and grants, the foundation aims to ensure the perpetuation of this community asset.
We're happy to answer any questions!
KEEP THE LEGACY ALIVE
Don't miss this special event!!! The Foundation is celebrating the golf course's past and its bright future. Call Judy Ables today to reserve your place at the table!!
Healthcare Advantages of Golf
Golf is one of the only sports that can be played throughout a person's life. It gets people outside and keeps them active, and walking is one of the most recommended forms of exercise. Physical activity and the outdoors are also beneficial to a person's mental health. The Foundation is supported by the Wallowa Valley Healthcare District and the Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness.
Youth Activity
In the Wallowa Valley, summer sports activities for children and youth are limited. Golf can be played from April 15 to October 15 every year. Golf provides lessons that go beyond how to hit a golf ball. It teaches etiquette, the importance of rules, self esteem, and integrity, all lessons that are important for future success. A solid youth program benefits hundreds of children and youth. The Foundation is supported by Wallowa School District, Enterprise School District and Joseph Charter School.
Economic Impact
One of the major sources of income for the Wallowa Valley is tourism, and the number of non-resident golfers increases each year. A well maintained and updated golf course is definitely an asset for the tourism industry. The Foundation is supported by the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce.
Building Family and Community
Golf is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and all skill levels. It is the perfect sport for families to enjoy together, and it provides the opportunity through tournaments and special events for building the sense of community that is so important to the survival of rural areas. The Wallowa Valley was hit hard by the decline of the timber industry. The movie theater closed, the swimming pool closed and the bowling alley closed. Then in 2020 and 2021 the Covid 19 pandemic caused the closing of the schools, restaurants and other social activities. Families couldn't get together for holidays or reunions, and community activities came to a halt. The Wallowa Valley is still suffering from those losses, but golf can help rebuild that sense of family and community. The Foundation is supported by Building Healthy Families.
HELP US KEEP THE LEGACY ALIVE!!!
Your support will help ensure that the Wallowa Valley does not lose one of the oldest and most beautiful golf courses in Oregon. Mail your donation to: Wallowa Valley Golf Foundation, PO Box 25, Enterprise, Oregon or donate now through PayPal. Every donation helps, no matter how big or small.
History of Golf in the Wallowa Valley
The idea for a course came about in the summer of 1917, when Enterprise country club members, Ian MacDonald and R. J. Campbell — considered golf experts from the east — declared the property that lay two miles north of town ideal for the game. The club applied for a state charter, and contracted for the 43 acres. The property was deeded to the City of Enterprise in the 1960s and leased to the Wallowa Valley Golf Association. The course was named Alpine Meadows . The course is open to the public and managed by a board of directors who are all volunteers. Golf is no longer a "Country Club" activity. Today, the course is open to the public and people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures who enjoy the game of golf in this beautiful setting. The golf course is a community asset that is the site of fundraisers for schools, clubs and non-profits throughout every summer. Closure of the golf course would be felt throughout the Wallowa Valley.
Bomber lands on golf course
In 1944, during World War II, a B-24 Liberator, on a routine training mission from the Walla Walla airbase, became lost in bad weather. With low visibility and a radio that had conked out, the pilot circled the unfamiliar Wallowa Valley countryside while local residents came out in force to help. Hundreds of cars streamed out to the course, and lined up with headlights and spotlights focused on the field to guide the plane. Finally at one o’clock in the morning the pilot made a miraculous landing putting the mammoth four-motored bomber down safely in the narrow gorge. All ten crew members were unharmed. Within a few weeks, the plane was able to take off successfully. The golf course has a rich history, and is needed for the future.
foundation board of directors
Mona K. Williams
Mona K. Williams is a proud 5th generation resident of the Wallowa Valley where she established her law practice in 1989. She left private practice after 17 years to serve as the Wallowa County District Attorney and 12 years later as Union/Wallowa County Circuit Court Judge. After retiring from law, she served as Executive Director at Wallowa County's Child Advocacy Center, Helping Hearts, a non-profit corporation. Mona's professional experience gives her insight into the needs of the community, and she believes a public golf course is a valuable asset to the families in the valley, the individual residents, the community in general, the local economy and to the children and youth who are the future of this rural area. Although Mona is not a golfer, she recognizes the value of this historical asset.
Judy Ables
Judy Ables is a retired educator, having taught in the Enterprise School District for twenty years. After retirement she was on the Board of Directors for Alpine Meadows Golf Course, serving as President one of those years. Her son Clint, grew up spending his summers working and playing at AMGC and as a result pursued his love of golf becoming a PGA Golf Professional. He is now the General Manager of the oldest golf course in the TriCities area in the State of Washington. It is because of what golf has given her son, a successful career that he loves, and the educator that she is, that Judy has dedicated herself to provide this same opportunity for the youth of the Wallowa Valley.
Kathy Reynolds
Kathy Reynolds is a golf, outdoor and animal enthusiast. When she's not rescuing dogs, you can find her on the golf course, out riding ATVs, picking huckleberries or just enjoying the great outdoors. Kathy serves in various capacities for the Wallowa County Humane Society, another non-profit corporation. Kathy retired from her position as finance director at Wallowa Resources in 2013. Prior to that Kathy served as Finance Director for manufacturing companies in the Willamette Valley. Kathy's experience and her passion for the Wallowa Valley make her a perfect person to serve on the Foundation Board of Directors. When she's not volunteering somewhere, she enjoys spending time with her husband on their little hobby-farm where they have chickens, goats and a llama along with their family dogs and cat.
Tony Chrisman
Tony Chrisman grew up in Wallowa in the 1970s and graduated from Wallowa High School in 1981. Tony was a college basketball player and played professionally in Germany . Both his parents are descendants of early Wallowa Valley pioneer families. After receiving a degree in Business Management (1985) and Law (1989), Tony returned home to the Wallowa Valley with his wife, Julie, to raise their two daughters. Tony started practicing law and joined the family insurance and real estate business. The real estate business soon became his primary focus. He was a founding member of Chrisman Development and Veridian Management and has developed, managed and owned thousands of apartment units across the West. Tony is still active as a Real Estate Developer. Now, a resident of Walla Walla, WA, Tony and Julie have a vacation home in Enterprise and enjoy life above the first hole at Alpine Meadows. Tony took up golf about 10 years ago.
Amy Stangel
Amy has lived in Wallowa County since 2005. She met Chad Stangel, an avid golfer, and learned to golf when they spent winters working in Palm Springs at Dessert Willow Golf Course. Amy and Chad married on the Alpine Meadows Golf Course and have two children, Karder and Declan who have also found a love for golf. Amy spent many years working in the Juvenile Justice world, then changed careers to teaching in 2020. She is the preventative specialist teacher at Enterprise Elementary and has a passion for teaching kids to be kind, safe and healthy. Amy also coaches high school volleyball, enjoys hunting, snowboarding at Fergi in the winters, and in the summers, you will find her boating, surfing or golfing.
Support our cause today!
Become a Volunteer
Join our team of passionate volunteers and make a difference in people's lives. We welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.
Fundraise for Wallowa Valley Golf Foundation
Help us raise funds by organizing a fundraising event or campaign. We will provide you with all the necessary resources and support.
Spread the Word
Help us raise awareness about our cause by sharing our website and social media pages with your friends and family.
Alpine Meadows Golf Course
Wallowa Valley Health Care District
Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce
Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce
Wallowa Valley Health Care District
Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce
Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness
Wallowa Valley Health Care District
Wallowa Valley Health Care District