Laserfiche WebLink
Until 1929 lots were acquired at the rate of two or three each year. A system <br /> was worked out wherein we could buy two lots whenever enough cash was available to <br /> pay for one. This was done by simply mortgaging the two lots for the price of one, <br /> thus giving the mortgagee good security for his loan. During these transactions the <br /> help of Kenneth Bollum of the State Bank of Long Lake and the late Alvin Frick of the <br /> Wayzata State Bank was greatly appreciated. These two men helped us thru many <br /> difficult days. (Mr. Frick was partially rewarded for his interest when he got a hole <br /> in one on the old 7 green!) <br /> At this point in the history of Orono a unique personality entered the picture. <br /> He was the late Albert H. Crosby, treasured personal friend, Woodhill member and Orono <br /> resident. One could go into considerable detail as to how he approached us with an <br /> offer to help but help he did by making an ample mortgage loan that enabled us to <br /> buy the rest of the required lots and have some money leStfor real improvements. <br /> He also arranged to have the land taken out of plat. The present Orono Golf Course is <br /> somewhat of a monument to the memory of Albert Crosby. <br /> The old water wagon was discarded in 1929 and a system of piping was put in pro- <br /> viding water to all the greens and tees. It was based on the water supply contained <br /> in the swamp lying west and south of present 2 tee. A powerline bordering the present <br /> 2nd fairway supplied the pump located down to the right of the 2nd tee. This served <br /> very well until the drougnt of the early 1930s. Slowly as the source of water failed, <br /> we had to rely more and more on the little well at the home. Before the drought passed <br /> the only green grass at Orono was on the putting greens, and they were barely kept alive. <br /> The high fairways were as hard as bricks and the low peat fairways cracked open wide <br /> enought to swallow a golf ball. For three years drought and .=epression held us in the <br /> red, but rains finally came, and the depression eased a bit and golfers returned. It <br /> was truly remarkable that the tough old fairway grass retained life thru all the heat <br /> and drought. <br /> - 7 - <br />