8
community
may22
2012
Happy Trails: A Report From the Rodeo Road
By Mackenzie Carr
Miss Rodeo America 2012
Hello again!
Miss Rodeo America Inc. is
supported by numerous sponsors who
have a long-standing reputation within
the western industry. Two of those
sponsors include Tarter Farm and Ranch
and Wrangler. During the month of May,
I made trips to the eastern side of the
United States to visit their headquarters,
see how their products are made, and
most importantly, thank them for their
unending involvement within the MRA
organization.
I began the month with a trip to
Dunnville, Kentucky to visit Tarter
Farm and Ranch. We toured the plants
where Tarter manufacturers their
farm equipment; learning how their
galvanized tanks, tractor attachments,
gates, and many other products are
made. Being able to see what goes on
behind the scenes, meeting many of the
employees, and spending time with the
Tarter family was wonderful; they really
know how to make you feel at home. The
amount of support that this family run
company gives to Miss Rodeo America
Inc. is commendable. I was so happy to
have the opportunity to show them my
gratitude and pride in their sponsorship.
My second sponsor visit during
the month of May was to Greensboro,
North Carolina. Here, I was able to learn
how their denim is made. It was such a
fascinating process from start to finish-
-who knew so much went into making
a pair of jeans. Other than touring the
denim cone mills, I attended various
civic events promoting the Wrangler
brand and helped out with the Spring
2013 photo shoot.
Wrangler has been a longtime sponsor
of MRA. From providing a wardrobe
for the reigning Miss Rodeo America
to helping establish our scholarship
foundation program, this company is
always giving back and supporting our
cause. It was such a joy to visit many
of the people involved with Wrangler
and thank them for their longtime
sponsorship. Long live cowboys!
I experienced a lot of firsts on these
two trips. It was my first time visiting
both Kentucky and North Carolina, as
well as experiencing a 10 hour flight
delay in the Denver airport. I also met
smile on my face the whole time. For
those of you who are wondering, the
pickled Bologna fell into the latter of
those two categories. It was definitely
not so good, but boy was I smiling when
I finally swallowed
it!
As many of you
know, rodeo would
not be possible
without the help of
sponsors; neither
would Miss Rodeo
America. Tarter
Farm and Ranch
and Wrangler are
just two of the
companies who
support
Miss
Rodeo America
Inc., but there are
Mackenzie visiting her sponsors at the Tarter Farm and Ranch.
many more who
some Amish people, learned what an ear also lend a helping hand. I am so grateful
candle is (no, it’s not made from earwax for all of their kindness and am proud
like I thought), and ate pickled Bologna. to have the opportunity to ride for the
This year, I’ve learned to take the good brand.
Until next time.
with the not so good, while keeping a
Vernonia Golf Club Has New Ownership continued from front page
and have already started implementing seating area in the plans, and new paint concerts and poker tournaments are also
some subtle changes. One thing they and landscaping. Bob also hopes to make a possibility. And of course the club
hope to stress is to be “service oriented” some improvements out on the course. is available to host special events like
and try to meet the needs of the local “We just want to freshen everything up,” weddings, family reunions and other
says Bob.
community.
social gatherings.
They have brought
Having the Zavales
back the Men’s Club, which
brothers as new owners
will meet every Wednesday
seems like a perfect fit.
starting at 5:00 PM. A dozen
Bob has been working as
guys showed up for the first
the greens keeper at the
evening—twice as many
club since 1991. Nick has a
expressed interest in joining
degree in Golf Management
now that word is getting out.
from the College of the
If there is interest they hope
Desert and has worked in
to add a ladies club and junior
Palm Springs as a Golf Pro.
golfer club in the future.
He played competitively
The restaurant has been
for several years on the
reopened and is now serving
Canadian Pro Tour and
a limited breakfast and lunch
intends to get his PGA
menu. A full weekend dinner
status back and act as the
menu is in the works; hopefully
Head Pro here in Vernonia.
in the next few months they will
Both grew up in Vernonia,
be offering fine dining-- steaks,
lived at the club when
seafood and prime rib dinners
their stepfather was the
for members and guests. “We
manager, and graduated
David Rice and Lonnie Franklin at the ninth green.
want to turn this into a nice
from Vernonia High School.
The brothers say they plan to
restaurant, a place where people can
The Vernonia Golf Club
come and get a real nice meal,” says host some local tournaments, in addition currently has nine holes open. At one
Nick. The bar will also be reopened, to local fundraising events that are time it was a full eighteen hole course,
giving the facility a real “club” feel already taking place. The Vernonia but for economic reason the club closed
Volunteer Firefighters have already the back nine holes. “Our hopes are to
again.
An exterior face-lift is in the scheduled their second annual fundraiser get it back to eighteen holes in the future,
works as well, with an upgraded outdoor event for August 5th. Summer evening as soon as possible,” says Nick.
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All holes have three sets of tees,
men’s, women’s and a separate tee for
those playing the back nine. “The course
is playable for all levels of players,” says
Nick.
Memberships are once again
available and will include unlimited
play and extra privileges and perks
like discounts on cart rentals and
on purchases in the pro shop and
restaurant. Single memberships are
$550 and couples are $950. Nick says
a memberships at Sunset Grove, a nine
hole course between Banks and Forest
Grove and their nearest competitor, are
$770.
Green fees are very reasonably
priced—weekend and holidays are
$14 for nine holes, $25 for eighteen;
weekdays are $12 and $22; for senior
and junior players it is $10 and $18.
Cart rentals are $12 and $24 seven days
a week.
Bob and Nick really just want to
return to the “club” feel they remember
from the past and make their facility an
active part of the community. “I think
having this facility here this can be a key
asset for the community,” says Nick.
The Vernonia Golf Club is located at
15961 Timber Road. You can reach
them at 503-429-6811.
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