ENTERPRISE — A new foundation aims to help pay the expenses at the Alpine Meadows Golf Course in Enterprise. A kick-off banquet for the new Wallowa Valley Golf Foundation takes place May 17 at the clubhouse.

The foundation, which received its 501(c)(3) designation at the beginning of January, is eligible for grants or tax-deductible donations.

“We don’t want to see Wallowa County’s Golf Course go the way of (Enterprise’s) bowling alley, swimming pool or movie theater,” a press release stated. “That’s why Wallowa Valley Golf Foundation was formed.”

The first year’s goals for the foundation include:

• To fund the purchase of a used rough mower. Such mowers cost $40,000-$50,000. The mower the course has now is more than 20 years old and replacement parts are no longer available. Without the equipment to maintain the course, there won’t be one.

• To develop a youth program that makes golf more accessible to all youths in Wallowa County. The foundation will sponsor summer golf clinics for youths at no cost to the youths and iinclude an etiquette course. Once the etiquette course has been completed, youths will be able to play golf for free.

• To replace the outside stairs and landing on the north end of the clubhouse.

The foundation has applied for two grants and looks forward to the “Keep the Legacy Alive” fundraising dinner, where the group’s mission, vision and goals will be explained.

All members and guests are encouraged to dress in vintage attire to pay homage to the course’s 108-year history.

More information is available online at wallowavalleygolffoundation.com.