River Bend Golf Course in North Carolina Donated to YMCA

Cleveland County (N.C.) Family YMCA accepted Paul and Margaret Porter’s gift Friday morning of River Bend Golf Course south of the Shelby Municipal Airport off College Avenue.

“The current system there will stay, and golf operations won’t change,” said YMCA chief executive officer Cameron Corder. “Prices won’t change and the seven members of River Bend’s staff will become YMCA staff. There’ll be no pay cut (for the seven employees), and their benefits will be enhanced because we offer more than they are currently getting.”

All the details haven’t been determined yet, but Corder said he expects the YMCA to create a board to oversee River Bend that will determine a fee structure for YMCA members who want to play golf at River Bend.

“I’m sure they’ll be a benefit to being a Y member when playing there,” Corder said. “Having this golf course will provide added benefits to Y membership that will encourage more to join.”

Porter said he and his wife wanted to enjoy retirement and were ready to quit overseeing the golf course. He wanted to find an owner that would keep it up and not change too much since he and his wife live in River Bend Acres development, which has about 100 houses.

“We wanted continuity and to find someone who would provide that,” Porter said. “Since the YMCA touches so many people, they’ve made us feel comfortable passing it on to them.”

Porter said he first approached Gardner-Webb University to see if they would accept and run the golf course, but he said university officials declined because they “had some hesitations about running a business.” Officials at GWU declined to comment on why they turned down the donation.

Lance Ashley works at River Bend Golf Course as its Professional Golfers Association Professional. He said there are still many unknowns, but he’s looking forward to the transition.

“There’ve been a lot of people worried about it, but I’ve tried to reassure the members and the landowners around here,” Ashley said.

Harold Lail lives in River Bend Acres, works part-time in the course’s pro shop and plays golf on the course more than once a week. He and Paul Haynes were on the course playing golf Friday afternoon.

“We’re both members of YMCA, and we hope this golf course stays the same,” Lail said. “Some of the neighbors are worried about what’s going to happen, but we’re all hoping it’ll be fine.”

The Cleveland County Family YMCA plans to teach golf to more young people of all backgrounds with the addition of River Bend Golf Course.

Corder said the organization plans to establish a First Tee program this spring. The program is a World Golf Foundation initiative dedicated to providing young people an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship, according to a press release. The release said the intent is to offer opportunities for improvement in the quality of life and create a platform where children can increase their potential for success

“The YMCA has a vision of creating many more youth opportunities for golf,” Corder said. “In addition to the youth golf, some existing First Tee programs around the country offer family nights, family golf clinics, golf camps and development tournaments. This opportunity fits so well within our vision and values, especially as it relates to youth development, diversity, and strategic partnerships.”

The YMCA has always been focused on diversity, and this provides the organization an excellent opportunity to champion a minority golf initiative, Corder said.

“Gardner-Webb continues to be our partner and we are dreaming of grand ways we can assist the entire university family and golf program,” Corder said. “Working at the golf course provides another opportunity for students working toward a Recreation degree to get practical work experience through our Student YMCA.”

For more information, call 704/484-9622.