Golf carts weren ’ t always allowed on local courses
* All proceeds are donated to The Boys & Girls Aid
18 April 2024 Pamplin Media Group
Charbonneau Men ’ s Club
By TIM BONINO
Golf carts weren ’ t always allowed on local courses
Your way and the correct way .
Welcome to April , which , according to the rhyme , is the time for showers , followed by flowers in May . What we all look forward to , despite these
BONINO predictions , is warmer temperatures , brighter and longer days and the occasional summer tease . We in the men ’ s club mostly look forward to an update on the rules of golf provided by our own Jim Gibbons . While each of us may have our own interpretations , you can always count on the correct version from Jim . We are fortunate to have an expert in our midst who is willing to take our questions and keep us in the good graces of the Royal and Ancient . Thank you , Mr . G , for being willing to help us stay true to the game .
Looking back and did you know
Golf cars have not always been a part of the Charbonneau golf experience . I know , it ’ s hard to believe . The first electric cars were privately owned and were purchased by three intrepid women in 1981 . These dynamic girls were Harley riders , and the carts , of course , were a three-wheel variety made by Harley Davidson . As a golf-gang in the making , I ’ m fairly certain that these intrepid ladies passed on the leather goods and helmets that Harley made . Yet , knowing the Charbonneau women of today , I ’ m not totally convinced of that . They were , regardless , at the forefront of golf fashion on the turf . Also , at that time , there were no official cart paths and flat ground everywhere was under assault , especially when the men , taking the challenge , started obtaining their own carts . As more and more members obtained personal carts , the discussion of safety and placement of travel paths became hot topics at many meetings . Note that the potholes and root mounds were added later for rider interest .
Path layout considerations included safety of people , walkers and children playing near the course . Final results of those discussions are evident on each nine today with the current path layout . Coincidentally , at that time in history , motorized vehicles that were not registered and that didn ’ t have license plates were also unwelcome on the city streets . It wasn ’ t for a while later that the city of Wilsonville ( in 1982 ) was asked to pass a special ordinance to allow golf equipment and golf carts to drive on the roads without license plates . Until then , all unlicensed motorized vehicles were subject to tickets and fines if caught by the county sheriff . This proved quite a dilemma and challenge for the course maintenance and mowing equipment getting onto the course . Rumor has it that traffic fines were handed out regularly by the sheriff ’ s department .
This is a Harvley 1983 electric golf car .
Upcoming events
The Charbonneau Men ’ s Club spring kickoff meeting and full breakfast will be on Saturday April 6 , in the dining room . The start time for the meeting is 7 a . m . and a golf scramble will follow after the meeting . Wednesday , May 1 , is the first Men ’ s Night Out and dinner . Golf starts at 2 p . m . with dinner in the Dining Room at 6:30 p . m . Signup is once again at the Pro Shop . Remember to bring your own adult beverages to this event .
Just because ….
Here are two key things to remember . Swing advice from a buddy is like your mechanic telling you “ I couldn ’ t fix your brakes so I made your horn louder .” The other , “ the early bird may get the worm , but the second mouse gets the cheese .” I ’ m not sure how these relate directly to golf and the Men ’ s Club , but I liked them . Credit to Stephen Wright , comic .
BINGO
Tuesday , April 9th 3PM-5PM
Clubhouse Dining Room
@ CHARBONNEAU
* All proceeds are donated to The Boys & Girls Aid
$ 10 for 2 cards $ 20 for 5 cards
* Sign up at the Activity Center front desk