After all the ups and downs over many years, Alpine Meadows, the public nine-hole golf course in Wallowa County, Oregon, is alive and well.

Its roots go back to 1917, according to a ditty in a Chieftain column, which gave notice that there was a golf course down the road, and suggested anyone interested pick up a golf club and go hit a few.

Then in the 1960s, Ray Milligan and friends reconstructed the property from what had been used as sheep pasture, an airstrip and a football field, to a regular nine-hole course.

Today, interesting trivia comes from Kay Miller, a senior golfer, new to the county, and a participant in Scott Marcum’s group clinic and lessons. She reminisced of learning to play golf in Enterprise in the 1950s. “My husband Joseph and I lived in Elgin. There were only two courses . . . La Grande, private and Wallowa County, public,” she says. “We’d putt on sand greens, and then rake away our footprints.”

Today, the greens are green, the rakes downsized to sand bunkers, and the fairways and roughs free from sheep. The pond, used to irrigate, adds to the aesthetics of the golf course as does its two fountains that send out sparkling spray in the sunshine.

Today, Alpine Meadows Golf Course is in full golf mode. In the books: The Ron Layton Memorial Scramble, played June 8, had over 60 entries. Winning team: John Decker, Lance Homan, Greg Oveson and Joe Girres. Twelve ladies turned out for the first of three golf clinics. The next two Thursdays will feature chipping, putting, and on-the-course etiquette.

June tournament travels: Panky Hauxwell, Rachel Jones and Cindy Williams won their flights at Baker City Quail Ridge. Cindy and Judy Ables participated at La Grande Country Club women’s Two-Person Best Ball event.

Looking forward: Junior Golf Camp Monday, July 8 thru Thursday, July 11, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Scotch ball, Fridays at 5 p.m. and Eastside Senior Golf Tournament, July 15.

The late Louise Suggs, a golfing pioneer, and one of the founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, said, “Golf is very much like a love affair. If you don’t take it seriously, it’s no fun. If you do, it breaks your heart. Don’t break your heart, but flirt with the possibility.”

Alpine Meadows gives golfers the opportunity to flirt. So thankful for those dedicated volunteers who have kept Alpine Meadows alive and well.