Rhinelander Country Club celebrates 100 years, honors Bosi with bronze plaque

The Rhinelander Country Club recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and, as part of the festivities, recognized the late Ron Bosi, PGA Professional at the club for 36 years, with a bronze memorial plaque.

Bosi passed away last August at the age of 77. 

The memorial plaque, paid for through the fundraising efforts of RCC members, is to be placed in a prominent place at the club.

According to his obituary, Bosi “built his career in the game he loved.”

 “For 36 years, Ron was the golf professional at Rhinelander Country Club and held membership in the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) through the end of his life,” the obituary reads. “He enjoyed playing as well as teaching, and many people learning to hit the ball may recall his ‘swing it back one, two’ instructions.”

His passion for golf also resulted in several accolades, according to the death notice.

“He once earned the Northeast Wisconsin Golf Association Man of the Year Award, granted to a member who exemplifies public service. In 1997, he teamed up with Kevin Widule, Pat Deau, Jim Kuczmarski and Brad Fahrenbach to win the Wisconsin sectionals of the Oldsmobile Scramble for a chance to compete nationally,” the notice said.

Bosi’s wife, Sandee, was present for the unveiling of the plaque during the anniversary celebration. The plaque is inscribed as follows: “With gratitude for bringing love of the game to the Rhinelander Country Club for 36 years.”

According to a history of RCC submitted to the River News by club member Dave Havel, the club was founded by J.D. Mylrea and J.S. Daniels in June 1923. Mylrea was the first president and served for 5 years.

 The first site considered was the “old Miles farm”, located about 3 miles south of Rhinelander on Highway 17 near Lake Julia, according to the submission. Members of the Club enlisted the aid of Harry Collis, he was the Club Pro at the Flossmore Country Club in Chicago, who came to Rhinelander to evaluate the site. Because the terrain was too rolling, he did not approve. Instead, he suggested the present site. The land was purchased from Alex Stacey for $6,000 and Matt Holvig for $5,680, and the deed was recorded July 28, 1923. Remember, this happened right in the middle of Prohibition!

 The first 6 holes were laid out on the property and the old farmhouse at the entrance corner was used as the Club House. This area is where the current maintenance buildings are located The course layout was #4, #8, #9, #1, #2, #3. A few years later, additional land was purchased from William Wilcox Sr. for $2,097, J. Whalen for $1,250 and E. Cronin for $450 and the holes were renumbered and lengthened. The course layout was #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #1, #2, #3. William Zerrenner was employed to handle the Course construction, which Collis supervised.

 Original financing for general upkeep and Greens management was provided by interested people who were given a mortgage, which was subsequently paid off. A company, called the Oneida Holding Company, was formed, and incorporated in August 1923 to finance the undertaking. Greens Fees and the income from the Clubhouse put the Country Club in good financial shape. 

Members began playing in 1924. 

The club history submitted by Havel also included two excerpts from Rhinelander Daily News articles.

The first article was published in the July 14, 1923, edition of the paper. The excerpt reads, in part, as follows: “With absolutely no fuss and little publicity there has been organized in this city an enterprise which not only means the expenditure of a large sum of money, but also will serve to put Rhinelander alongside of other progressive and much larger cities in the state and will make this section much more attractive to tourists and summer visitors.”

 “This new enterprise covers the organization of the Rhinelander Country Club and its incorporation under the laws of the state for the purpose of promoting wholesome and healthful sports, games and recreation — particular Golf, Tennis and Boating....” 

 The second article was published on August 10, 1926, and referred to an article in “Golfers’ Magazine”, a publication having national circulation, in which Rhinelander received “some worthwhile publicity describing the Rhinelander Country Club golf course.”

 Pictures of the second and sixth greens accompanied the article, which read, in part, as follows:

 “Situated at the outskirts of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, the hub of the world-famous Land O’ Lakes Region, is the Beautiful nine holes course of the Rhinelander Country Club; a course of natural hazards, raised greens and scenic splendor. It is doubtful if there is a course anywhere in the wide world that has at one time or another, been termed ‘the Sportiest in the Country.’ Enthusiasts of the Rhinelander Country Club, therefore, hesitate to resort to that somewhat hackneyed description in speaking of the course, but is doubtful if any course is more deserving of being called ‘Sporty.’ From the time the golfer tees up on the first green until he holes out on the ninth, it’s ‘just one darned thing after another.’ Three water hazards, rolling greens and a variation of shots combining to furnish the player with golf at its very best. The course measures 2,935 yards, and every yard of it requires the best there is in golfing. Par is 34 and King Bogey has been tumbled from his throne but seldom. Of special pride to the Club Members is the number 2 Hole (currently #8), a big-time thriller in itself. Throughout the middle west the fame of this hole has spread. It is a 110-yard drive over a water hazard to a pitched green and woe be to the player who varies a hair’s breadth in its calculation. The picture accompanying this article describes the fascination and zest attendant upon the play on this green. The Course is surrounded by water, is on a rolling piece of land laid out on the Scottish Plan. With an ever-growing trek of visitors to the Land O’ Lakes Region, it was natural that steps be taken to provide for the amusement of the golf tourist. Rhinelander, as the gateway to the district, took the lead in providing a course that would provide the maximum entertainment...”