Milbank Area Chamber Holds Ribbon Cutting at Whetstone Creek Golf Club

The Milbank Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Whetstone Creek Golf Club during a ribbon cutting on Thursday, May 2. Whetstone Creek is the former 18-hole Pine Hills Golf Course north of Milbank, which was sold by Randy and Robin Patnoe to a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization on April 5. The Patnoes had owned the golf course since 1995.

The non-profit ownership of the 140-acre golf course was made possible in part by a $500,000 grant from the Leo P. Flynn estate. The Flynn Estate grant was contingent on the group raising an additional $250,000. As there can be no investors or owners, the group raised the required amount in donations. Money was received from local business owners, individuals, and families.

To be tax-exempt as a social welfare organization as described in IRS code section 501(c)(4), the organization must not be organized for profit and must be operated exclusively to promote social welfare. The newly-formed organization, also named Whetstone Creek Golf Course, will be managed by a board. Board members include: Tom Schuneman, president; Kevin Kouba, vice president; Mike Misterek, treasurer; and Nathan Bass, Chris Batchelor, Jodi Hoffman, and Eric Strobl. The board has hired Joey Stanton as the new manager of the club.