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John Reitman

By John Reitman

Going to the dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome patrons at Wood River Golf Course in Nebraska.

 
For as long as there have been geese gobbling grass on golf courses and  and golfers with the byproducts of their gluttony, there have been dogs attempting to chase them away.
 
A municipal course in Wood River, Nebraska, has taken being a dog-friendly course a step farther.
 
Since early July, city-owned Wood River Golf Course has implemented a practice that allows golfers to bring their well-behaved canine friends with them while they play. However, some restrictions apply.
 
All dogs must be accompanied by a golfer, must stay on a leash, cannot bark and are not permitted on greens or in bunkers.
 
"We have rules in place. We've attached dog bags to every ball washer on every hole," said superintendent Jeremy Vinzenz. "At least there is a chance for everyone to do the right thing, but you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. They're like bunker rakes. Just because we put them out there, we can't make people use them."
 
 
Wood River unofficially has been a dog-friendly environment for years, because one member has been bringing a miniature-sized dog to the course for years.
 
"It doesn't cause any problems," Vinzenz said. "He leaves it outside when he goes into the clubhouse for lunch."
 
The course took the next step when Spencer Schubert, a friend of Vinzenz's for years, asked if he could bring his dog to the course while he played golf.
 
"We're a small course in the middle of farm country, so I didn't think there would be a problem with it," Vinzenz said.
 
He checked with course manager Anna Hayman, who went to the city. Wood River Mayor Greg Cramer gave the program his stamp of approval, as long as rules were in place that protected the property and the rights of other golfers.
 
"The city gives us a lot of responsibility because they know we know what we are doing," Vinzenz said. "They put a lot in our hands if we explain how and why we want something."
 
The dog-friendly course now offers dog treats in the golf shop.
 
"This all started with a friend just asking if he could bring his dog to the golf course one day. It's really turned into something a lot more than what we expected it would be. But it is good PR and advertising for the golf course."

 






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