Meridian Valley Country Club flashes back to 1965 on Sunday in honor of its 50th anniversary.
The celebration, which is open to the public, kicks off with a golf tournament at 1 p.m. at the course, 24830 136th Ave. SE, Kent. The tournament will be played on the front-nine holes, which is what the club featured when it opened. Soft balls and wooden golf club heads, which were standard equipment at that time, will be used on some of the holes.
There will be patio games, including a dunk tank, arm chair quarterback and golfzilla, at 2 p.m. A classic car show on the 9th hole follows at 3. A program, recognizing the club’s founders and highlighting the club’s history, begins at 4:45 p.m.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
The idea of the club began in 1962 when a group of Kent businessmen, led by Jack Lynch Sr., decided a private golf and country club would add to the area. The golf course opened July 1967 with 272 memberships. Today the club has more than 500 members.
In addition to an 18-hole golf course, the club offers a full dining room, fitness center and tennis courts.
The club is focused on supporting and giving back to the community, General Manager Greg Manley said.
“Our mission is to be involved in the community through the game of golf and to provide our members and guests with a high level of service through the game of golf,” Manley said.
Each year the club hosts the Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Pro-Am, which benefits Folds of Honor, an organization that provides scholarships and assistance to the spouses and children of those killed or disabled in military service. Last year, the event raised $44,000 for the charity.
The club also has hosted fundraisers supporting a variety of causes, such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
About five years ago the club donated golf equipment to Kent schools, through a program called SNAG (Starting New at Golf), which is designed to teach children the basics of golf.
“Every Kent elementary school should be using SNAG equipment in PE classes,” Manley said.
For more information about the anniversary celebration, call the club 253-631-3131.
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