EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

BEAVER GROVE — Chocolay Township will get another new golf course when a 100-year-old family farm converts to fairways, greens, sand traps and water hazards. Randy Gentz, the fourth generation owner of 150 acres along County Road 480 received a conditional use permit for a golf course from the planning commission. Gentz said he hopes the course will be open for the summer of 1993.

“The county recreational plan of 1986 recognized that there was a deficiency in the number of public golf courses in the county,” said Jim Kippola, senior planner for the resource management and development department of Marquette County.

“The idea was always there to make a golf course,” said Gentz, whose father, Heinz Gentz, passed the land down to him four years ago. The land originally was a dairy farm and for the past 15 years, half has been used for a sodding farm. A golf course architect from Pontiac will visit the Gentz farm, review plans and make further recommendations. Construction will begin next month starting with sand traps, water hazards, and tees. A modest pro shop also will be constructed, providing a place for players to change clothes and rent clubs. Fees will be competitive with other public courses, Gentz said.

90 years ago

MARQUETTE — Public interest in WBEO, The Mining Journal radio station, is increasing rapidly. At present, it is impossible for officials of the station to name the exact day and hour when WBEO will “take the air,” but it is certain that when all is in readiness only the “night owls” of this community will be able to hear the new transmitter. Federal radio commission regulations provide that all testing must be done between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Work on the radio plant is drawing to a close. Only the complicated wiring of the telephone unit remains to be completed. Tonella and Rupp, who have the contract for the floor coverings of the station, will lay the carpets today. McLogan and Pearce, through whom WBEO is purchasing its Kimball grand piano, expect the instrument to reach Marquette next week.